Notice of Inventory Completion: Georgia State University, Department of Anthropology, Atlanta, GA, 41990-41991 [2016-15243]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 28, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41990-41991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15243]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-21299]; [PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Georgia State University, 
Department of Anthropology, Atlanta, GA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Georgia State University has completed an inventory of human 
remains, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native 
Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is a cultural 
affiliation between the human remains and present-day Indian tribes or 
Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of 
any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this 
notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains 
should submit a written request to Georgia State University. If no 
additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human 
remains to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian 
organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or 
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a 
written request with information in support of the request to Georgia 
State University at the address in this notice by July 28, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Frank Williams, Department of Anthropology, Georgia 
State University, P.O. Box 3998, Atlanta, GA 30302-3998, telephone 
(404) 413-5154, email frankwilliams@gsu.edu.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is here given in accordance with the 
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 
U.S.C. 3003, of the completion of an inventory of human remains under 
the control of Georgia State University. The human remains were removed 
from Greene County, TN, Altamaha River Basin, GA, and eastern Georgia.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The 
determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native 
American human remains. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

Consultation

    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Georgia 
State University professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Cherokee Nation; the Eastern Band of Cherokee 
Indians; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the United Keetoowah Band of 
Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. The following tribes were contacted, but 
either declined consultation or did not respond: The Alabama-Coushatta 
Tribe of Texas (previously listed as the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of 
Texas); the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town; The Chickasaw Nation; the 
Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana; Kialegee Tribal Town; the Poarch Band of 
Creek Indians (previously listed as the Poarch Band of Creek Indians of 
Alabama); and the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town. All tribes in this section 
are hereafter referred to as The Consulted and Invited Tribes.

History and Description of the Remains

    Between 1970 and 1975, human remains representing, at minimum, nine 
individuals were removed from an unknown site, probably in eastern 
Georgia. The human remains are thought to have been excavated by

[[Page 41991]]

Antonio J. Waring. Evidence of head binding circumstantially agrees 
with the known Native American context of this excavation. All of 
Waring's excavations took place in the Southeastern United States, with 
the majority in eastern Georgia. Geographic evidence suggests these 
human remains are either Creek or Cherokee. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Between 1970 and 1980, human remains representing, at minimum, 
eight individuals were removed from site 40GN9 in Greene County, TN. 
Site 40GN9, a Middle Qualla site, was excavated by an unknown person, 
and transferred on an unknown date to Georgia State University. 
Geographic evidence suggests these human remains to be Cherokee, and 
likely from the town of Canasoga or Canasahaqui. These human remains 
are determined to be Native American based on the cultural and 
geographic documentation. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    In March of 1971, human remains representing, at minimum, six 
individuals were removed from the Altamaha River basin, McIntosh 
County, GA. These human remains were removed by the late Dr. Wharton of 
the GSU Biology department, and received into custody at Georgia State 
University. The human remains were identified by Dr. Wharton as Native 
American. Geographical and archeological evidence suggests that these 
human remains are Native American, and likely Creek or Yamassee. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects were 
present.

Determinations Made by Georgia State University

    Officials of Georgia State University have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 23 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the Native 
American human remains and Cherokee Nation; the Eastern Band of 
Cherokee Indians; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the United Keetoowah 
Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a 
written request with information in support of the request to Dr. Frank 
Williams, Department of Anthropology, Georgia State University, P.O. 
Box 3998, Atlanta, GA 30302-3998, telephone (404) 413-5154, email 
frankwilliams@gsu.edu, by July 28, 2016. After that date, if no 
additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the 
human remains to the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, 
Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee 
Indians in Oklahoma may proceed.
    Georgia State University is responsible for notifying The Consulted 
and Invited Tribes that this notice has been published.

    Dated: June 13, 2016.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2016-15243 Filed 6-27-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-50-P