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 UTK, 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 from site 40KN17 in Knox County, TN. There are no associated funerary objects present with this Ancestor. 40KN17 is an open habitation site with cultural layers indicating occupation from the Archaic to Woodland temporal periods.

Human remains representing, at least, five individuals have been identified from site 40KN51 in Knox County, TN. There are two associated funerary objects present with these Ancestors comprising lots of faunal and ceramic materials. 40KN51 is a cave site with features identified with the Mississippian cultural period.

Human remains representing, at least, two individuals have been identified from site 40KN55 in Knox County, TN. There are a minimum of 152 associated funerary objects present with these Ancestors, comprising lots of ceramic, faunal, shell, lithic, charcoal, and other materials. 40KN55 is a Mississippian mound site with Dallas and Pisgah cultural features.

Human remains representing, at least, five individuals have been identified from a rock shelter site on the Little Tennessee River in Knox County, TN. There are two associated funerary objects comprising lots of faunal and ( printed page 52343) lithic materials present with the Ancestors.

Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been identified from a site on the Tennessee River in Knox County, TN. There are no associated funerary objects present with the Ancestor.

There is no indication at this time that hazardous substances were used to treat any of the Ancestors or cultural items in this notice.

Cultural Affiliation

Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is reasonably identified by the geographical location or acquisition history of the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice.

Determinations

UTK has determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of 14 individuals of Native American ancestry.
• The 156 objects described in this notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony.
• There is a connection between the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas; Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.

Requests for Repatriation

Written requests for repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects 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 and associated funerary objects described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after September 14, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, UTK must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects are considered a single request and not competing requests. UTK 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.

91 FR 52342