Notice

Notice of Inventory Completion: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology, Nashville, TN

A Notice by the National Park Service on 03/18/2026

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• Public Inspection Published Document: 2026-05299 (91 FR 13060) Document Headings ###### Department of the Interior

National Park Service

1. [N7012; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042367; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology (TDEC-DOA) has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects from unknown sites in Shelby County, TN, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

DATES:

Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice may occur on or after April 17, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice to Phillip R. Hodge, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology (TDEC-DOA), 1216 Foster Avenue, Cole Building #3, Nashville, TN 37243, email Phil.Hodge@tn.gov.

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 TDEC-DOA, 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. The six associated funerary objects are six lots of artifacts are described below.

Human remains representing, at least, one individual and six lots of artifacts, including two lots of ceramic, two lots of lithics, one lot of fauna, and one lot of burned bone. These materials were recovered in the Nonconnah Creek drainage south of Memphis, Tennessee in 1950-1952 during an archaeological survey by the Memphis Archaeological & Geological Society. All remains and materials were transferred to TDEC-DOA in 2025 from the estate of a private individual who participated in that survey. No further information exists as to the specific site(s) of origin for any of the above-listed materials. There is no known exposure to hazardous substances or treatments.

Cultural Affiliation

Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is reasonably identified by the ( printed page 13061) geographical location or acquisition history of the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice.

Determinations

The TCED-DOA has determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of at least, one individual of Native American ancestry.
• The six lots of 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 Chickasaw Nation.

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 April 17, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the TDEC-DOA 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. The TDEC-DOA is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice.

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

Dated: March 11, 2026.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.

[FR Doc. 2026-05299 Filed 3-17-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4312-52-P

Published Document: 2026-05299 (91 FR 13060)