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Iowa Burial Protection Program The OSA Burials Program is statutorily responsible for investigating, preserving, and reinterring ancient human physical remains (Code of Iowa, Chapter 263B). We work closely with an OSA Indian Advisory Council and affiliated tribes. Preservation of burial sites is always the preferred treatment. In cases where significant sites are threatened, the State Archaeologist (OSA Director) has the authority to deny permission to disinter (Code of Iowa, 263B.9). The OSA Burials Program is involved in numerous projects throughout Iowa. Since 1976, when Iowa's burial protection law was passed, the program has handled over 2,000 projects in 97 of Iowa's 99 counties. Field projects result in the discovery of many new sites and acquisition of new information on previously recorded sites. Field work involves verification of reports of possible burials or mounds, as well as examination of mounds or mound groups and other burials that are threatened by erosion, construction or quarrying activities, or vandalism. Many sites require periodic monitoring. Other types of projects include collections that are turned over to the OSA by museums, other repositories, and individuals, for examination and repatriation or reburial. Some projects yield negative results. These include remains that are submitted for examination and determined to be nonhuman, reports of possible mounds that upon field inspection are determined to be recent disturbances or natural features, and reports of construction that are determined to have no impact. Reburials have been conducted in Iowa since 1976. Four cemeteries on state-owned land have been dedicated and set aside for this purpose. The cemeteries are located in western, eastern, north central, and south central Iowa. Remains are reinterred in the cemetery nearest to the original burial site, and a ceremony may be held at or shortly after each reburial in accordance with the wishes of the IAC or affiliated tribes. Occasionally remains are reburied at the original burial site. The remains of 1205 individuals have been reburied in the four cemeteries since the program began including recent repatriations to the Iowa and Sac & Fox tribes.
Designed by Tricia R. Bender
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