Federal Register #2026-17699

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Remains and Funerary Objects at University of Texas at Austin and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

This notice from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service announces the completion of an inventory of Native American human remains and associated funerary objects by the University of Texas at Austin's Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL) and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). - Government Buyer: - Department of the Interior, National Park Service - University of Texas at Austin, Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL) - Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) - Scope of Inventory: - Human remains of at least 193 Native American individuals - 1,320 associated funerary objects - Includes asphaltum clumps, faunal bones, bone tools, charcoal samples, soil samples, daub, debitage, marine shells, modified shells, and ochre - Items originate from multiple archeological sites in Nueces County, Texas (e.g., Mustang Island State Park, Webb Island, Oso Bay, Bill Jenkins Farm, Jesse Hunter Farm, Erving Phillips Farm, Hog Island) - Cultural Affiliation: - Remains and objects are affiliated with several Indian Tribes, including the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas, Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, Comanche Nation, Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, Kiowa Tribe, Mescalero Apache Tribe, Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, Tonkawa Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, and Wichita and Affiliated Tribes - Notable Details: - Notice outlines procedures for repatriation requests - No hazardous substances known to be used in treatment, but some materials (wooden dowels, glue residue, metal wires, ink, shellac) observed - No OEMs or commercial vendors are involved, as this is not a procurement opportunity

Description

The University of Texas at Austin, Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL), and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) have completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). They have determined a cultural affiliation between these remains and objects and various Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. The notice details the inventory and the cultural affiliation determinations, and provides information on repatriation procedures. Repatriation may occur on or after September 30, 2026.

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