Document

Notice of Inventory Completion: Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory, Murray, KY

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory has completed an inventory of human re...

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
  1. [N7249; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0043023; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory has completed an inventory of human remains and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

DATES:

Repatriation of the human remains in this notice may occur on or after July 22, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains in this notice to Anthony Ortmann, Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory, 334 Blackburn Sciences Building, Murray State University, Murray, KY 42071, email .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in its inventory or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

Human remains representing at least one individual have been identified. No associated funerary objects are present. On an unknown date in 1991, these remains were removed from site 15Ba105 in Ballard County, KY. These human remains were removed during an archaeological survey conducted by Mid-Continental Research Associates, Inc. and transferred to the Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory in 1992. The age of the site is unknown. No known individuals were identified. There is no known exposure to hazardous substances.

Cultural Affiliation

Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural ( printed page 37130) affiliation is reasonably identified by the geographical location of the human remains described in this notice.

Determinations

The Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory has determined that:

Requests for Repatriation

Written requests for repatriation of the human remains in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under ADDRESSES . Requests for repatriation may be submitted by:

1. Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice.

2. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal descendant or an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation.

Repatriation of the human remains described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after July 22, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains are considered a single request and not competing requests. The Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and any other consulting parties.

Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.

Dated: June 12, 2026.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.

[FR Doc. 2026-12396 Filed 6-18-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4312-52-P

Legal Citation

Federal Register Citation

Use this for formal legal and research references to the published document.

91 FR 37129

Web Citation

Suggested Web Citation

Use this when citing the archival web version of the document.

“Notice of Inventory Completion: Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory, Murray, KY,” thefederalregister.org (June 22, 2026), https://thefederalregister.org/documents/2026-12396/notice-of-inventory-completion-murray-state-university-archaeology-laboratory-murray-ky.