Native American remains discovered on UC Berkeley campus

The recent discovery of ancestral skeletal remains at a University of California, Berkeley construction site has ignited a profound conversation regarding the intersection of urban development and the preservation of Indigenous history. Uncovered during the initial phases of a new athletic complex project, these remains serve as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted Native American heritage that exists beneath the modern landscape of the Bay Area. As the university halts construction to coordinate with tribal leaders and state authorities, the find underscores the ongoing challenges institutions face in reconciling scientific advancement with the ethical repatriation of ancestral remains.

Native American remains discovered on UC Berkeley campus were found on April 15, 2026, at the site of a future beach volleyball complex near Bancroft Way and Fulton Street. The Alameda County Coroner’s Office has classified the bones as historical ancestral remains, leading to an immediate pause in construction. UC Berkeley is currently following state protocols under the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) to identify the Most Likely Descendant (MLD) for consultation and respectful disposition, highlighting the university's complex history with the repatriation of over 9,000 ancestral remains still in its possession.

The Discovery at the Beach Volleyball Complex Site

The discovery occurred on a Wednesday afternoon when construction crews, working on a former surface parking lot, unearthed human skeletal remains approximately two feet underground. The site, located at the intersection of Bancroft Way and Fulton Street, is the intended location for a new state-of-the-art beach volleyball complex. Law enforcement agencies, including the University of California Police Department and the Alameda County Coroner’s Office, responded to the scene to conduct an initial investigation. It was quickly determined that the remains were not the result of a recent crime but were instead of historical significance.

For the local community, the presence of the coroner's van near the campus's west side served as a somber signal. The area, bordering downtown Berkeley, has long been suspected by archaeologists and local tribes to be rich in Indigenous history. The fact that the remains were found beneath a layer of concrete suggests they had been undisturbed for at least a century, predating the university's expansion into this specific block in the late 1920s. This find adds to a growing list of archaeological discoveries made during campus renovations over the last several decades.

Legal Protocols and the Role of the Coroner

Under California state law and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), specific protocols must be followed when human remains are discovered during ground-disturbing activities. The first step involves the immediate cessation of work within the vicinity of the find and notification of the county coroner. The coroner’s primary responsibility is to determine if the remains are of recent forensic interest or if they are archaeological in nature. In this case, the Alameda County Coroner’s Office officially designated the bones as Native American remains on April 16, 2026.

Once the remains are identified as Native American, the coroner must notify the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) within 24 hours. The NAHC then takes the lead in identifying the Most Likely Descendant (MLD) from the local tribes associated with the geographic area. This MLD is granted the legal right to inspect the site and provide recommendations for the respectful treatment and disposition of the remains, which may include reburial in a protected location on-site or transfer to a tribal facility.

Consultation with the Native American Heritage Commission

UC Berkeley’s Office of Governmental and Community Relations is currently the primary liaison between the university and the NAHC. The university has stated its commitment to following the commission's procedures to the letter. This consultation process is critical, as it moves the decision-making power away from the institution and toward the descendant communities. For the Ohlone people, the original inhabitants of the Berkeley area, such discoveries are not merely "data points" but are the physical presence of their ancestors who must be cared for with traditional protocols.

The NAHC maintains a list of individuals and tribal groups who are recognized as descendants for various regions. The MLD for the Berkeley campus area is typically a representative of the Ohlone or Muwekma Ohlone tribes. This individual will work closely with university archaeologists to ensure that if any further remains or funerary objects are present, they are handled with the highest degree of cultural sensitivity. This process can take weeks or even months, often leading to significant delays in multi-million dollar construction projects.

UC Berkeley's History with Ancestral Repatriation

The discovery of remains at the volleyball site is particularly sensitive due to UC Berkeley's fraught history with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). For decades, the university has been criticized by tribal leaders and federal investigators for the slow pace of returning ancestral remains and sacred objects. Reports indicate that the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology on campus still holds approximately 9,000 ancestral remains, making it one of the largest repositories of Indigenous human remains in the United States.

Key Repatriation Milestone	Description of Event
November 2023 Announcement	UC Berkeley committed to repatriating 4,400 remains to California tribes.
April 2024 Completion	The largest repatriation in Hawaiian history involving 335 sacred items.
Ongoing Initiatives	Collaborations with Ohlone leaders to accelerate return of local ancestors.

While the university has recently taken significant steps to accelerate repatriation—including a major return of items to Hawaiian tribes in early 2024—the "Bones Beneath Berkeley" continue to be a source of tension. Indigenous advocates argue that the university's past reliance on scientific study over tribal sovereignty has caused lasting harm. This new discovery puts the university’s updated "tribal-first" policies to the test in a very public and immediate way.

The Cultural Significance of Strawberry Creek

Local historians and tribal members point to the geography of the campus as a primary reason for frequent archaeological finds. Strawberry Creek, which runs through the heart of the UC Berkeley campus, was a vital resource for Indigenous people for thousands of years. Village sites and burial grounds were traditionally located near freshwater sources. Although much of the creek has been culverted or redirected, the land surrounding its original path remains a high-sensitivity zone for cultural resources.

The site at Bancroft and Fulton is situated within a block of the underground path of Strawberry Creek. Tribal members note that the area was likely a thriving seasonal camp or permanent settlement long before the first Spanish explorers arrived in the 1770s. For the Ohlone, these discoveries are a validation of their enduring connection to the land, despite centuries of displacement and the paving over of their sacred sites by the university and the city of Berkeley.

Impact on Campus Development and Construction

The halt in construction at the beach volleyball complex highlights the economic and logistical impact of archaeological discoveries. The project, which includes five sand courts and a team building, is a key component of Cal Athletics' facility upgrades. However, the university's environmental impact reports specifically include mitigation measures for "unanticipated discoveries" of human remains. These measures ensure that while the project may be delayed, the legal and ethical obligations to the remains are met first.

This is not the first time development has been interrupted. Similar pauses occurred during the renovation of the California Memorial Stadium and the construction of various student housing projects. The university must balance its mission of providing modern facilities for its 45,000 students with its role as a steward of the land's history. For many, the discovery of an ancestor is a "cultural alarm bell" that requires the university to reconsider how it evaluates land for development before breaking ground.

Voices from the Indigenous Community

Tribal leaders have been vocal about the need for more than just "following procedure." They are calling for a fundamental shift in how the university views Indigenous history. Representatives from the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe and other local groups emphasize that these remains are not "relics" but family members. They advocate for more proactive archaeological surveying using non-invasive technologies like Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) before any concrete is poured on campus property.

Social justice groups on campus have also joined the call, pressing the UC Regents to return all burial remains held in boxes at the Hearst Museum. The sentiment among the Native community is that while the university "talks the talk" of repatriation, the physical discovery of remains on-site serves as a reminder of the work that remains to be done. They view these ancestors as re-emerging to demand recognition and a proper return to the earth.

The Path Forward: Respect and Repatriation

As the investigation into the remains discovered at the volleyball complex continues, the university is under intense scrutiny. The path forward involves a delicate negotiation between the NAHC, the designated Most Likely Descendant, and university administrators. The goal is to reach a "respectful and appropriate next step" that satisfies both state law and tribal tradition. This may involve a quiet re-interment ceremony, potentially on or near the site, ensuring the ancestor is not disturbed again.

This event serves as a teaching moment for the university community. It provides an opportunity for students and faculty to reflect on the history of the ground they walk on every day. By prioritizing the guidance of tribal descendants over construction deadlines, UC Berkeley has the chance to demonstrate a genuine commitment to healing historical wounds and honoring the Indigenous people who have called this land home for over 5,000 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly were the Native American remains found?
The remains were discovered at a construction site for a new beach volleyball complex located at the corner of Bancroft Way and Fulton Street, on the west side of the UC Berkeley campus.

Is the discovery related to a recent crime?
No. The Alameda County Coroner’s Office and UC Berkeley police have confirmed that the remains are historical and are not connected to any ongoing criminal investigation.

What happens to the construction project now?
Construction at the site has been paused. Work will only resume once the consultation process with the Native American Heritage Commission and the Most Likely Descendant is complete and a plan for the remains is implemented.

Which tribe is likely associated with these remains?
The Berkeley campus sits on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Ohlone people. Specifically, the Muwekma Ohlone and other local Ohlone groups are the primary stakeholders in the repatriation process for this area.

How many Native American remains does UC Berkeley currently hold?
While the university has begun a massive repatriation effort, it is estimated that approximately 9,000 ancestral remains are still held within the campus's museum collections, subject to ongoing return processes under NAGPRA.

Conclusion

The discovery of Native American remains on the UC Berkeley campus is a poignant intersection of the past and the present. It challenges a world-class institution to look beyond its architectural and athletic goals and recognize the sacredness of the land it occupies. As the university moves forward with the guidance of the Native American Heritage Commission, the hope is that this discovery leads to a greater sense of accountability and a more profound partnership with the Ohlone people. Respecting these ancestors is not just a legal requirement; it is a vital step in the long journey toward justice and reconciliation for the Indigenous communities of California.

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