(a) All artifacts and other materials excavated, discovered, donated, or otherwise acquired by the division of archaeology acquired in pursuance of this program shall be the property of the state of Tennessee and be placed under the custodianship of the division of archaeology. The state archaeologist has primary responsibility to assure that the material is properly and adequately safeguarded and available at all reasonable times to interested scientists and to the public insofar as funds and good scientific practices permit. The state archaeologist may, whenever it is consistent with good scientific practices and in the furtherance of the aims and purposes of the division, approve and permit the loan of such objects and materials to nonprofit scientific organizations, public agencies, museums, and institutions of higher learning both within and without Tennessee for purposes of research or public education.

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 11-6-104

  • Artifacts: means all relics, specimens or objects of an historical, prehistorical, archaeological or anthropological nature which may be found above or below the surface of the earth, and which have scientific or historic value as objects of antiquity, as aboriginal relics, or as archaeological specimens. See Tennessee Code 11-6-102
  • Human remains: means the bodies of deceased persons, in whatever stage of decomposition, including, but not limited to, skeletal remains, mummies, or body parts. See Tennessee Code 11-6-102
  • Property: includes both personal and real property. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) There shall be no public exhibition or display of Native American Indian human remains held by the division.
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