The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Archaeology has completed an inventory under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). They have determined that human remains and funerary objects found at the Tallassee site in Tennessee are culturally connected to several Native American Tribes, including the Cherokee Nation and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Requests for repatriation of these remains and objects may be made by these tribes or other eligible parties, and repatriation can occur starting April 18, 2025. If there are competing requests for repatriation, the Department will decide which is most appropriate.
Simple Explanation
The Tennessee people found some old bones and special objects that belonged to Native American Tribes a long time ago. Now, they're trying to give these things back to the tribal groups, like the Cherokee and the Muscogee (Creek) Nations, but they need to make sure they know who's the right owner before giving them away.