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Repatriations | Cayuga Nation of New York

The Museum has repatriated three human remains to the Cayuga Nation of Versailles, New York. These consultations were conducted with the Seneca-Cayuga Tibe of Oklahoma and the Cayuga Nation of New York. The first transfer of two individuals occurred in April of 1998. Archival information from the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia indicated that one set of these remains was collected by Dr. Z. Pitcher during the 19th century in New York State. This individual has been identified as "Wan-Yun-ta, Chief of the Cayuga Tribe" of New York State. The second individual was excavated from a burial of a "young Cayuga Iroquois Chief" near Union Springs, Cayuga County, New York in 1894 by William W. Adams. The second repatriation was completed on April 27, 2000. In 1894, human remains representing one individual were excavated from a burial near Union Springs, Cayuga County, NY by William W. Adams, who donated these human remains to the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA. In 1997, collections from the Academy of Natural Sciences (including these human remains) were transferred to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology to facilitate the implementation of NAGPRA.

In both instances, Mr. Clint Halftown, Cayuga Repatriation Officer, traveled to the Museum to receive the remains.

Notice of Inventory Completion 1

Notice of Inventory Completion 2