Dr. Darrell Creel, Director of the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory,
The University of Texas at Austin, has asked that the following notice be
posted on this list:

As has been widely advertised, a number of artifacts were stolen from TARL
in the summer of 2001.  UT Police and the Bureau of Indian Affairs have
been investigating the case but have not yet made any arrests.  In late
October, 2001, TARL was authorized to post a reward for information leading
to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) who had stolen the
objects.  Immediately thereafter, most of the pottery vessels were returned
anonymously.  Due to concerns on the part of law enforcement officials,
this return has not been openly acknowledged until now.  The Caddo Nation
was immediately notified since many of the vessels are funerary objects
from ancestral Caddo graves and are listed on TARL's NAGPRA
inventory.  Unfortunately, four of the pottery vessels and the other stolen
objects have yet to be recovered. To avoid confusion and to aid in recovery
of the remaining materials, images of the returned vessels will soon be
removed from TARL's website. Importantly, the identifying catalog numbers
on several of the returned vessels had been removed (or were in the process
of being removed), so it is likely that this is true of the unrecovered
items as well. There are other details in the case which should not be
released at this time; do be assured that investigations are
continuing.  Please note that we very much appreciate the assistance all of
you have provided in efforts to recover the stolen objects and catch the
thief(s).

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