Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: National Guard Bureau, Texas Army National Guard (Texas Military Forces), Austin, TX, 31525-31526 [05-10797]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 104 / Wednesday, June 1, 2005 / Notices reservation. The human remains representing a minimum of 21 individuals have been curated at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania since that time. No known individuals were identified. No funerary objects are present. There are no artifacts from the site in the possession of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. The collection has not been carbon dated, and establishing an associated date is not possible in the absence of artifacts. Mr. Miller, however, has reported that the graves were located in association with longhouses, and that some non-funerary objects (pottery) were recovered from the surface of the village. The only archeologically known sites that demonstrate similar burial patterns are from the Late Woodland (A.D. 800– 1500) to historic time periods (A.D. 1500–present). The dentition of the individuals currently in the possession of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania suggests that individuals from several different time periods were removed from the site. The site may be 2,000–200 years old, though it most likely dates from the Late Woodland through contact and into early Historic periods. The remains are considered to be Native American based on historical documents and skeletal features. Although many different burial customs are evident, the burial customs and location of the graves suggest that the remains are of Mohawk or Onondaga origin. Archeological evidence and oral history indicate that the Mohawk and Onondaga people, represented by the present-day Onondaga Nation of New York and St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York, have occupied this area since circa A.D. 1350. Officials of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9- 10), the human remains described above represent the physical remains of 21 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania also have determined that, 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 the Onondaga Nation of New York and the St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Dr. James Delle, Department of Anthropology, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown, PA 19530, telephone (610) 683–4243, before July 1, 2005. Repatriation of the VerDate jul<14>2003 16:22 May 30, 2005 Jkt 205001 human remains to the Onondaga Nation of New York may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward. The St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York supports the repatriation of the human remains to the Onondaga Nation of New York. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is responsible for notifying the Onondaga Nation of New York and the St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York that this notice has been published. Dated: May 20, 2005 Paul Hoffman, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and Parks. [FR Doc. 05–10820 Filed 5–31–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–50–S DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: National Guard Bureau, Texas Army National Guard (Texas Military Forces), Austin, TX National Park Service, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the National Guard Bureau, Texas Military Forces (TXMF, which is the state agency that, per 25 USC § 3001(8), has ‘‘control’’ of the cultural item) and the Texas Historical Commission (the state agency that has guardianship of the cultural item) determined that one unassociated funerary object in the collections of the TXMF, described below in Information about cultural items, is culturally affiliated with the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. The cultural item is in the physical custody of the Texas Archaeological Research Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin. The National Park Service publishes this notice on behalf of the TXMF as part of the National Park Service’s administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The TXMF is solely responsible for information and determinations stated in this notice. The National Park Service is not responsible for the TXMF’s determinations. Information about NAGPRA is available online at https:// www.cr.nps.gov/nagpra. DATES: Repatriation of the cultural item to the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma may proceed after July 1, 2005, if no additional claimants come forward. Representatives of any other Indian tribe PO 00000 Frm 00115 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 31525 that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the cultural item should contact the TXMF before July 1, 2005. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority. 25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq. and 43 CFR Part 10. Contact.Contact Lieutenant Colonel Patrick T Dye, Environmental Program Manager, Texas Military Forces, P.O. Box 5218 (JFTX-G4–EV), Austin, TX 78763–5218, telephone (512) 782–6813, regarding determinations stated in this notice or to claim the cultural item described in this notice. Consultation. TXMF officials and the University of Texas at San Antonio archeologists identified the cultural item and assessed the cultural affiliation of the cultural item at the request of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma, and in consultation with representatives of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. Information about cultural items. In 2000, archeologists with the Center for Archaeological Research, University of Texas at San Antonio removed one ceramic vessel during test excavations at site 41LR152, at the TXMF’s Camp Maxey facility in Lamar County, TX. The vessel was collected from level seven of excavation unit two, 70 centimeters below surface, and was in an upright position with no associated artifacts. In the report Camp Maxey III Archaeological Testing of 23 Prehistoric Sites, Lamar County, Texas (Mahoney et al 2001), the vessel is described as a ‘‘fine grog-tempered plain jar, of undetermined type, with a direct rim and a flat lip, and a flat base.’’ Excavations around the vessel did not indicate any subsurface disturbances that would indicate a burial feature. However, an archeological consultant hired by the TXMF suggested that due to the condition of the vessel, and its depth and vertical orientation, the vessel may have been associated with a burial. TXMF agreed with the consultant and the conclusion that the vessel meets the definition of an ‘‘unassociated funerary object’’ as defined at 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(B).The site from which the cultural item was removed (Camp Maxey) is State and not Federal property. During a meeting on April 10, 2003, the Caddo NAGPRA representative requested information regarding the ceramic vessel that was removed from site 41LR152 at the TXMF Camp Maxey facility, and which he believed might meet the definition of an unassociated funerary object.Intact ceramic vessels are typically encountered in association with burials and are rarely discovered in other contexts. The excavation report notes that, ‘‘the recovery of an intact E:\FR\FM\01JNN1.SGM 01JNN1 31526 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 104 / Wednesday, June 1, 2005 / Notices native ceramic vessel, with a terminal depth of 70cm bs, is a definite anomaly’’ but concedes that depending upon how long ago the vessel was deposited, ‘‘it is feasible to assume that the intrusive activity may no longer be discernable in the stratigraphy’’ (Mahoney et al 2001). The TXMF consultant suggested that the vessel may have been associated with a human burial, but that conditions at the site were not conducive to the preservation of human remains. Radiocarbon dates and the absence of stratigraphic evidence for a pit indicate that the vessel is associated with the Woodland period. The archeological record in northeast Texas provides evidence for cultural continuity between the Woodland period and subsequent Caddo periods. Williams Plain pottery, which first appeared during the Woodland period, has been discovered in association with later Caddoan pottery; and in the Red River Basin, the production of Williams Plain pottery appears to have continued until the end of the Middle Caddoan period, circa A.D. 1300. This shared ceramic tradition suggests cultural continuity between the Woodland period inhabitants of the Red River Basin and later Caddo occupants of the basin. Determination. Under 25 U.S.C. 3005, TXMF officials determined that the one ceramic vessel described above is reasonably believed to have been placed with or near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony and is believed, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from a specific burial site of a Native American individual. TXMF officials determined that the unassociated funerary object is culturally affiliated with the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. Notification. The TXMF is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. Dated: May 20, 2005. Paul Hoffman, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and Parks. [FR Doc. 05–10797 Filed 5–31–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–50–S DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Inventory Completion: Oakland Museum of California, Oakland, CA AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. VerDate jul<14>2003 16:22 May 30, 2005 Jkt 205001 ACTION: Notice. 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 and associated funerary objects in the possession of the Oakland Museum of California, Oakland, CA. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from Mineral Creek in Pinal County, AZ. 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 and associated funerary objects. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Oakland Museum of California professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona. The Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona is acting on behalf of the Ak Chin Indian Community of the Maricopa (Ak Chin) Indian Reservation, Arizona; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona; Tohono O’odham Nation of Arizona, and themselves. At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one individual were removed from Mineral Creek in Pinal County, AZ , by person(s) unknown. In 1914, Mr. Otho Moses donated the human remains as part of a collection of geological and ethnographic materials to the Oakland Public Museum (now Oakland Museum of California). It is unknown how or when Mr. Moses acquired the human remains. No known individual was identified. The one associated funerary object is a bone awl. Information in the Oakland Museum of California’s records describes the site from which the human remains and associated funerary objects were removed as being located 15 or 16 miles up the Gila River from Florence, AZ. Based on geographic location, skeletal morphology, and analysis of the associated funerary object, this individual has been identified as a Native American of Hohokam affiliation. Archeological, historical, and oral tradition evidence indicate that there is a relationship of shared group identity between the Hohokam people and the present-day Piman and PO 00000 Frm 00116 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 O’odham cultures, represented by the Ak-Chin Indian Community of the Maricopa (Ak Chin) Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona; and Tohono O’odham Nation of Arizona. Officials of the Oakland Museum of California have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9–10), the human remains described above represent the physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Oakland Museum of California also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the one object described above is reasonably believed to have been placed with or near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony. Lastly, officials of the Oakland Museum of California have determined that, 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 associated funerary object and the AkChin Indian Community of the Maricopa (Ak Chin) Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona; and Tohono O’odham Nation of Arizona. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary object should contact Carey T. Caldwell, Curator of Special Projects, Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland, CA 94607, telephone (510) 238–3842, before July 1, 2005. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary object to the Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward. The Ak-Chin Indian Community of the Maricopa (Ak Chin) Indian Reservation, Arizona; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona; and Tohono O’odham Nation of Arizona supports the repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary object to the Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona. The Oakland Museum of California is responsible for notifying the Ak-Chin Indian Community of the Maricopa (Ak Chin) Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian E:\FR\FM\01JNN1.SGM 01JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31525-31526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10797]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: National Guard 
Bureau, Texas Army National Guard (Texas Military Forces), Austin, TX

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Native American Graves Protection and 
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the National Guard Bureau, Texas Military 
Forces (TXMF, which is the state agency that, per 25 USC Sec.  3001(8), 
has ``control'' of the cultural item) and the Texas Historical 
Commission (the state agency that has guardianship of the cultural 
item) determined that one unassociated funerary object in the 
collections of the TXMF, described below in Information about cultural 
items, is culturally affiliated with the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. The 
cultural item is in the physical custody of the Texas Archaeological 
Research Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin.
    The National Park Service publishes this notice on behalf of the 
TXMF as part of the National Park Service's administrative 
responsibilities under NAGPRA. The TXMF is solely responsible for 
information and determinations stated in this notice. The National Park 
Service is not responsible for the TXMF's determinations.
    Information about NAGPRA is available online at https://
www.cr.nps.gov/nagpra.

DATES: Repatriation of the cultural item to the Caddo Nation of 
Oklahoma may proceed after July 1, 2005, if no additional claimants 
come forward. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with the cultural item should 
contact the TXMF before July 1, 2005.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority. 25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq. and 43 CFR 
Part 10.
    Contact.Contact Lieutenant Colonel Patrick T Dye, Environmental 
Program Manager, Texas Military Forces, P.O. Box 5218 (JFTX-G4-EV), 
Austin, TX 78763-5218, telephone (512) 782-6813, regarding 
determinations stated in this notice or to claim the cultural item 
described in this notice.
    Consultation. TXMF officials and the University of Texas at San 
Antonio archeologists identified the cultural item and assessed the 
cultural affiliation of the cultural item at the request of the Caddo 
Nation of Oklahoma, and in consultation with representatives of the 
Caddo Nation of Oklahoma.
    Information about cultural items. In 2000, archeologists with the 
Center for Archaeological Research, University of Texas at San Antonio 
removed one ceramic vessel during test excavations at site 41LR152, at 
the TXMF's Camp Maxey facility in Lamar County, TX. The vessel was 
collected from level seven of excavation unit two, 70 centimeters below 
surface, and was in an upright position with no associated artifacts. 
In the report Camp Maxey III Archaeological Testing of 23 Prehistoric 
Sites, Lamar County, Texas (Mahoney et al 2001), the vessel is 
described as a ``fine grog-tempered plain jar, of undetermined type, 
with a direct rim and a flat lip, and a flat base.'' Excavations around 
the vessel did not indicate any subsurface disturbances that would 
indicate a burial feature. However, an archeological consultant hired 
by the TXMF suggested that due to the condition of the vessel, and its 
depth and vertical orientation, the vessel may have been associated 
with a burial. TXMF agreed with the consultant and the conclusion that 
the vessel meets the definition of an ``unassociated funerary object'' 
as defined at 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(B).The site from which the cultural 
item was removed (Camp Maxey) is State and not Federal property.
    During a meeting on April 10, 2003, the Caddo NAGPRA representative 
requested information regarding the ceramic vessel that was removed 
from site 41LR152 at the TXMF Camp Maxey facility, and which he 
believed might meet the definition of an unassociated funerary 
object.Intact ceramic vessels are typically encountered in association 
with burials and are rarely discovered in other contexts. The 
excavation report notes that, ``the recovery of an intact

[[Page 31526]]

native ceramic vessel, with a terminal depth of 70cm bs, is a definite 
anomaly'' but concedes that depending upon how long ago the vessel was 
deposited, ``it is feasible to assume that the intrusive activity may 
no longer be discernable in the stratigraphy'' (Mahoney et al 2001). 
The TXMF consultant suggested that the vessel may have been associated 
with a human burial, but that conditions at the site were not conducive 
to the preservation of human remains.
    Radiocarbon dates and the absence of stratigraphic evidence for a 
pit indicate that the vessel is associated with the Woodland period. 
The archeological record in northeast Texas provides evidence for 
cultural continuity between the Woodland period and subsequent Caddo 
periods. Williams Plain pottery, which first appeared during the 
Woodland period, has been discovered in association with later Caddoan 
pottery; and in the Red River Basin, the production of Williams Plain 
pottery appears to have continued until the end of the Middle Caddoan 
period, circa A.D. 1300. This shared ceramic tradition suggests 
cultural continuity between the Woodland period inhabitants of the Red 
River Basin and later Caddo occupants of the basin.
    Determination. Under 25 U.S.C. 3005, TXMF officials determined that 
the one ceramic vessel described above is reasonably believed to have 
been placed with or near individual human remains at the time of death 
or later as part of the death rite or ceremony and is believed, by a 
preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from a specific 
burial site of a Native American individual.
    TXMF officials determined that the unassociated funerary object is 
culturally affiliated with the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma.
    Notification. The TXMF is responsible for sending a copy of this 
notice to the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma.

    Dated: May 20, 2005.
Paul Hoffman,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 05-10797 Filed 5-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S
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