4312-52
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0038300; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Tennessee, Department of Anthropology,
Knoxville, TN, and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of
Archaeology, Nashville, TN
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
(NAGPRA), the University of Tennessee, Department of Anthropology (UTK) and the Tennessee
Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology (TDEC-DOA) have
completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects 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 [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE
FEDERAL REGISTER].
ADDRESSES: Dr. Ellen Lofaro, University of Tennessee, Office of Repatriation, 5723
Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37921-6053, telephone (865) 974-3370, email
nagpra@utk.edu and Phillip R. Hodge, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation,
Division of Archaeology, 1216 Foster Avenue, Cole Building #3, Nashville, TN 37243,
telephone (615) 626-2025, 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 UTK and TDEC-DOA, and additional information on the
determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in their 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, 16 individuals have been identified. The 101 lots of
associated funerary objects are 17 lots of lithics, 15 lots of faunal remains, 32 lots of floatation
samples, 17 lots of charcoal, 15 lots of clay, three lots of hematite, and two lots of shell. These
individuals were removed from 40GL26, the Bailey site, in Giles County, TN. The Bailey site
was identified during an archeological survey by the Tennessee Department of Transportation
(TDOT) due to proposed replacement of a bridge over Sugar Creek and relocation of part of State
Route 11. TDOT applied for and received the required permits from TDEC-DOA. UTK was
contracted to excavate and did so from May 20 to August 23, 1986. All cultural material and
disinterred remains were transferred to UTK, where they have been housed since. While some of
the human remains have been “repaired” using glue, to our knowledge, no known hazardous
substances were used to treat any of the remains or objects.
Human remains representing at least, two individuals have been identified. The single
associated funerary object is one lot of faunal remains. These individuals were removed from a
mound in Giles County, TN, around 1970 and donated to UTK by Greg Rost on an unknown date
prior to 2016. Given the location and site type, this unknown site could be part of 40GL14, the
Potts site. To our knowledge, no known hazardous substances were used to treat any of the
remains or objects.
Cultural affiliation between these human remains and funerary objects, and the Indian
Tribes listed in this notice was established via historical information, geographical information,
and oral tradition. Giles County, TN is part of lands ceded to the United States by the Chickasaw,
as recorded in, Treaty with the Chickasaw, 1805. Giles County, TN is also part of lands ceded to
the United States by the Cherokee, as recorded in, Treaty with the Cherokee, 1806, and Treaty
with the Cherokee, 1807. Tribal oral tradition also establishes that Muscogee (Creek) Ancestors
once inhabited Giles County.
Cultural affiliation
Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is

clearly identified by the information available about the human remains and associated funerary
objects described in this notice.
Determinations
UTK and TDEC-DOA have determined that:
•

The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of 18
individuals of Native American ancestry.

•

The 102 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 Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians;
Poarch Band of Creek Indians; The Chickasaw Nation; and The Muscogee (Creek)
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 [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF
PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. If competing requests for repatriation are
received, UTK and 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. UTK and TDEC-DOA are

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: July 10, 2024.
Melanie O’Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2024-15830 Filed: 7/17/2024 8:45 am; Publication Date: 7/18/2024]