Human remains and associated funerary objects in unmarked graves and abandoned cemeteries that exceed 50 years in age are protected on state, county, city and municipal lands in Arizona under A.R.S. § 41-844. This statute also protects sacred ceremonial objects and objects of national or tribal patrimony* on State lands that have special importance to American Indians. On private lands, A.R.S. §41-865 provides similar protection to human remains and funerary objects that also exceed 50 years in age. These laws were adopted in 1990 and are similar to federal laws protecting human remains on federal lands.
The intent of these state laws is to ensure that human remains and funerary objects are treated with respect and dignity. Sacred ceremonial objects and objects of national or tribal patrimony (objects of cultural heritage) are given equal consideration. First and foremost, dignity and respect mean protecting graves and objects of cultural heritage from disturbance.
There will be times when human remains and objects are accidentally disturbed, and times when the locations of known graves, or places with a potential for containing graves, or objects of cultural heritage are threatened. In these situations, the director of the Arizona State Museum (ASM) is required to consult with individuals that can show direct kinship. In the absence of direct kin, the ASM director may consult with groups that can show a relationship to human remains through cultural affinity. For example, when human remains of American Indian ancestry are involved, the director will consult with the appropriate American Indian tribes. The director will also consult with American Indian tribes that can show their ancestors made and used certain special objects of cultural heritage.
In consultation with the director, descendants may decide to leave human remains and associated funerary objects or objects of cultural heritage in place or to rebury elsewhere if disturbance is unavoidable. Some circumstances may require cultural remains, including human remains, be excavated and cared for in a museum.
What This Means to You
In most cases, a landowner will not be certain if bones encountered are human or if they might be more than 50 years old. Individuals should make every effort to maintain the safety and security of the remains and then notify the local police immediately. If the human remains are older, and even if there is some question about whether they are human, ASM should be notified and will assist law enforcement and the landowner in determining if the laws cited in this brochure apply to the situation.
Individuals who think they have come across cultural remains should first stop any activity that might further disturb the remains. They should then call or email ASM to inform the museum of the circumstances and to receive guidance on what to do.
Intentional disturbance of human remains and funerary objects 50 years old or older, or of protected classes of cultural objects, without first gaining written permission from the ASM director is a violation of state law. Accidental disturbance of graves and human remains or objects of cultural heritage is not a crime, but not reporting the accident is a violation of state law.
Find more information on the Repatriation Office page.
*Object of National or Tribal Patrimony: an object with significant historical, traditional or cultural importance and which is central to the culture of an Indian Tribe or to Native Americans. Sacred object means: ...an object traditionally used in religious observances.
CONTACTS
Cristin Lucas, M.A.
Repatriation Coordinator
lucasc@arizona.edu
520-626-0320
Stacy L. Ryan, M.A.
Assistant Repatriation Coordinator
sryan@arizona.edu
520-626-2650
Arizona State Museum / University of Arizona
P.O. Box 210026
Tucson, AZ 85721-0026
asm-repatriation@email.arizona.edu