# Notice of Inventory Completion: Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA
**AGENCY:**
National Park Service, Interior.
**ACTION:**
Notice.
**SUMMARY:**
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Mercyhurst University has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
**DATES:**
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice may occur on or after January 16, 2026.
**ADDRESSES:**
Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice to Anne Marjenin, Mercyhurst University, 501 East 38th Street, Erie, PA 16546, email *[email protected].*
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of Mercyhurst University, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in its inventory or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
**Abstract of Information Available**
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been identified. No associated funerary objects are present. The individual was removed from Buzzard Cave likely located on the Glover Farm, also referred to as the Glover Site, in Christian County, Kentucky. The individual was removed by Raymond C. Vietzen (1907-1995), likely in 1962. While there is no record regarding potentially hazardous substances having been used to treat the human remains, tape and an unidentified adhesive are present. It is unknown when the tape and adhesive were applied.
Human remains representing, at least, two individuals have been identified. The five associated funerary objects are modified faunal remains and unmodified faunal remains. The individuals and associated funerary objects were removed from Dry Cave located on the Glover Farm, also referred to as the Glover Site, in Christian County, Kentucky. The individuals and associated funerary objects were removed by Raymond C. Vietzen (1907-1995), likely in the 1950s, probably 1953 and 1955. While there is no record regarding potentially hazardous substances having been used to treat the human remains and associated funerary objects, an unidentified adhesive is present. It is unknown when the adhesive was applied.
Human remains representing, at least, 14 individuals have been identified. The 14 associated funerary objects are a lithic, modified faunal remains, possible shell, shell, and unmodified faunal remains. The individuals and associated funerary objects were removed from Glover's Cave located on the Glover Farm, also referred to as the Glover Site, in Christian County, Kentucky, by Raymond C. Vietzen (1907-1995), likely between approximately 1941 and the mid-1960s. While there is no record regarding potentially hazardous substances having been used to treat the human remains, unidentified adhesives, an unidentified plaster or similar type of substance, and an unidentified preservative coating, consolidant, or sealant are present. An unidentified adhesive was used to attach a small piece of fabric to some of the human remains. It is unknown when these materials and substances were applied. A residue, likely from tape, is present on some of the human remains. An unidentified adhesive was applied to some of the associated funerary objects. It is unknown when the adhesive was applied.
Vietzen, an avocational archaeologist, collector, and author, established the Indian Ridge Museum in Elyria, Ohio, and the Archaeological Society of Ohio (formerly the Ohio Indian Relic Collectors Society). The Indian Ridge Museum, founded in the 1930s, served as Vietzen's laboratory and repository, and it remained in operation until the mid-1990s. After Vietzen's death, the facility fell into disrepair, and most of the items he had acquired and housed at the museum were sold. In 1998, the Ohio Historical Society (presently the Ohio History Connection) removed ancestral human remains and some of the remaining items from the facility and temporarily housed them at the Ohio Historical Society. In October of 2003, these remains were transferred from the Ohio Historical Society to Mercyhurst College (presently Mercyhurst University).
**Cultural Affiliation**
Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is reasonably identified by the geographical location or acquisition history of the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice.
**Determinations**
Mercyhurst University has determined that:
• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of 17 individuals of Native American ancestry.
• The 19 objects described in this notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony.
• There is a connection between the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice and the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Shawnee Tribe; The Osage Nation; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
**Requests for Repatriation**
Written requests for repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under *ADDRESSES* . Requests for repatriation may be submitted by:
1. Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice.
2. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal descendant or an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation.
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after January 16, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, Mercyhurst University must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects are considered a single request and not competing requests. Mercyhurst University is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and any other consulting parties.
*Authority:* Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.
Dated: November 21, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.