Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Colorado Museum, Boulder, CO, 5369-5373 [E6-1273]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5369-5373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1273]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Colorado Museum, 
Boulder, CO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    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 University of Colorado Museum, 
Boulder, CO. The human remains and associated funerary objects were 
removed from Adams, Arapahoe, Baca, Boulder, Fremont, Huerfano, 
Larimer, Logan, Morgan, Saguache, Sedgwick, and Yuma Counties, CO.

    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 and associated funerary 
objects was made by University of Colorado Museum professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Arapahoe Tribe of the Wind 
River Reservation, Wyoming; Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma; 
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River Reservation, South 
Dakota; the Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; and Crow Tribe, Montana. In 
addition, professional staff from the museum were participant-observers 
in consultations involving the Colorado Historical Society and 
representatives from the Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; Fort Sill Apache 
Tribe of Oklahoma; Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma; Northern Cheyenne 
Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Montana; Oglala 
Sioux Tribe of the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota; Pawnee Nation 
of Oklahoma; Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, 
South Dakota; Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute 
Reservation, Colorado; Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South 
Dakota; Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North 
Dakota; Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation, Utah; and 
Ute Mountain Tribe of the Ute Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New 
Mexico & Utah.
    In 1963, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from the Michaud site A (5AH2) by William G. Buckles of 
the Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Boulder as part 
of an archeological salvage operation. The site is located on private 
land adjacent to Bijou Creek, southwest of the town of Byers, Arapahoe 
County, CO. The human remains were transferred from the Department of 
Anthropology to the University of Colorado Museum in 1991. No known 
individual was identified. The 11 associated funerary objects are 5 
subrectangular handstones, 2 unshaped hammerstones, 2 chipped stone 
choppers, 1 shallow-basin sandstone milling stone, and 1 animal bone.
    A single radiocarbon date of 1,800100 years B.P. (2 B.C.-A.D. 532 
calibrated) was obtained from the burial material from the Michaud site 
A in 1966. This date, as well as the styles of projectile points, cord-
marked pottery sherds, and other chipped stone and groundstone in 
nearby occupation debris, support a determination of Native American 
origin and an occupational date range of A.D. 150-1150, the Early 
Ceramic period of the Late Prehistoric stage, a period associated with 
Plains Woodland cultures of this region.

    In 1966, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from the Crenshaw site (5AH4) by John J. Wood, Department 
of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Boulder. The site is on a 
tributary of West Bijou Creek, south of the town of Strausburg, 
Arapahoe County, CO. Museum records indicate that the site was 
excavated with the permission of the private landowner as part of an 
archeological salvage operation. The collections were transferred from 
the Department of Anthropology to the University of Colorado Museum in 
1991. No known individual was identified. The five associated funerary 
objects are one piece of burned sandstone, one piece of quartzite, one 
piece of chalcedony, one unidentified stone, and one charcoal sample 
from the burial pit.

    Based on the archeological materials found in the strata above the 
burial and the manner of burial, the burial at the Crenshaw site is 
determined to be Native American. The extreme wear on the teeth of this 
individual suggests their use as a tool, which is characteristic of 
prehistoric Native American peoples. The burial most likely dates to 
sometime in the Late Archaic or Early Ceramic period (1000 B.C.-A.D. 
1150) based on the artifacts present. During these time periods, the 
area was inhabited by Plains Woodland cultures.

    In 1966, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from the Witkin Burial site (5AH6) near Byers, Arapahoe 
County, CO, by the county coroner after discovery during residential 
construction. The human remains were transferred to the Department of 
Anthropology, University of Colorado, Boulder. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Two lithic 
bifaces, a bone awl, and a bone scraper were found with the burial when 
it was discovered, but these items do not appear to have been with the 
human remains when they were transferred from the Department of 
Anthropology to the University of Colorado Museum in 1991 and, 
apparently were lost sometime between 1966 and 1991.

    A single radiocarbon date of 3,19080 years B.P. (1627-1264 B.C. 
calibrated) was obtained from the Witkin burial in 1966, indicating 
that the human remains are Native American in origin. The radiocarbon 
date is consistent with a very late Middle Archaic chronological 
placement. Given the clear evidence of Late Archaic and Early Ceramic 
period material culture in other areas of the site, the burial is more 
securely dated to the Late Archaic (1000 B.C.-A.D. 150).

    In 1963, human remains of a minimum of 11 individuals were removed 
from the Hazeltine Heights

[[Page 5370]]

burial site (5AM3) by Department of Anthropology, University of 
Colorado, Boulder staff William G. Buckles and George H. Ewing, as part 
of a salvage operation arranged with the permission of the landowner. 
The Hazeltine Heights site is on private property close to the South 
Platte River between Denver and Brighton, Adams County, CO. The human 
remains were transferred from the Department of Anthropology to the 
University of Colorado Museum in 1991. No known individuals were 
identified. The 20 associated funerary objects are 1 necklace of 
olivella shell beads, 5 individual olivella shell beads, 1 projectile 
point, 1 stone pendant, 2 groups of beads manufactured from both small 
mammal and bird bone (probably necklaces), 9 Unio shell pendants, and 1 
sample of green-stained soil found close to one of the burials.
    Based on stratigraphy, the burials are approximately 
contemporaneous. A single radiocarbon date of 1,305100 years B.P. (A.D. 
566-971 calibrated) was obtained from one of the human bones in 1963, 
indicating that the human remains are Native American in origin. All of 
the Hazeltine Heights site burials date to the Early Ceramic period 
(A.D. 150-1150) of the Late Prehistoric stage, the period during which 
Plains Woodland cultures occupied this region.
    In 1964, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from the Byers Burial site (5AM4) by John J. Wood, 
Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Boulder. The site 
is between Byers and Hoyt, Arapahoe County, CO, on the west side of 
Bijou Creek. Surface materials reported by local residents included 
cord-impressed pottery and projectile points, but chipped stone 
debitage was the only surface debris observed when Dr. Wood excavated 
the burial. The human remains and other materials were transferred from 
the Department of Anthropology to the University of Colorado Museum in 
1991. No known individual was identified. The one associated funerary 
object is a sample of burned sand and sandstone from the burial pit.
    Material culture at the Byers Burial site identifies the occupants 
as Native American and dates the occupation to the Early Ceramic period 
(A.D. 150-1150) of the Late Prehistoric stage, the period during which 
Plains Woodland cultures occupied this region.
    In 1964, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from site 5BA1 by Joe Ben Wheat as part of a University of 
Colorado Museum archeological survey of Baca County, CO. The burial was 
within a larger, possibly multi-component site located on several 
terraces of Bear Creek. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Other artifacts from the site identify the occupants as Native 
American and date the occupation to sometime between the Late Archaic 
and Early Ceramic periods (1000 B.C.-A.D. 1150). The Early Ceramic is 
the period during which Plains Woodland cultures occupied this region.
    In 1961, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from the Paley site (5BL56) by William Buckles, Department 
of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Boulder. The site is in Cow 
Creek Valley close to the Meeker Park Lodge, Boulder County, CO. After 
securing permission from the private landowner, Dr. Buckles excavated 
the burial. The human remains were transferred from the Department of 
Anthropology to the University of Colorado Museum in 1991. No known 
individual was identified. The 16 associated funerary objects are 3 
charcoal samples, 4 crystalline stones, 4 pieces of chipped stone, 1 
biface, 1 group of shell bead fragments, 1 mano, 1 milling stone, and 1 
antler fragment.
    The individual was buried in a tightly flexed position. Based on 
the associated funerary objects and the burial style, the human remains 
are determined to be Native American and date to either the Late 
Archaic or Early Ceramic period of the Late Prehistoric stage (1000 
B.C.-A.D. 1150). The Early Ceramic period is the period during which 
the Plains Woodland cultures occupied this region.
    In 1964, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals 
were removed from the Peavy rock shelter (5LO1), Logan County, CO, by 
John J. Wood, Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, 
Boulder. The rock shelter is located on the south side of an isolated 
butte in the extreme northwestern corner of Logan County. The human 
remains were transferred from the Department of Anthropology to the 
University of Colorado Museum in 1991. No known individuals were 
identified. The six associated funerary objects are two lots of animal 
bone, two charcoal samples, one chipped stone flake tool, and one lot 
of chipped stone debris.
    Based on the associated material culture and the site date, the 
human remains are determined to be Native American. One burial at the 
rock shelter is stratigraphically associated with the main occupation 
of the shelter, which dates to approximately 800 years ago based on a 
radiocarbon date of 810125 B.P. (A.D. 996-1405 calibrated) and 
associated cord-marked sherds. The second burial may slightly postdate 
this occupation, based on the stratigraphic placement of the burial 
pit, but is still within the Middle Ceramic period (A.D. 1150-1540).
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of two 
individuals were removed from site 5LR95, now within Horsetooth 
Reservoir, Larimer County, CO, by Edward Andrews. Mr. Andrews donated 
the remains to the Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, 
Boulder at an unknown date prior to 1991. The human remains were 
transferred from the Department of Anthropology to the University of 
Colorado Museum in 1991. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Osteological characteristics of the human remains are consistent 
with identification of these burials as Native American. The burials 
most likely date to sometime between the Late Archaic and Protohistoric 
periods (1000 B.C.-A.D. 1860), based on the dates of nearby habitation 
sites.
    In 1964, human remains representing a minimum of three individuals 
were removed from the Hutcheson Burial site (5LR97) by David Breternitz 
and John J. Wood, Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, 
Boulder with the landowner's permission. The Hutcheson burial site is 
on a terrace east of Buckhorn Creek, northwest of Loveland, Larimer 
County, CO. The human remains and other materials were transferred from 
the Department of Anthropology to the University of Colorado Museum in 
1991. No known individuals were identified. The five associated 
funerary objects are two lots of bone beads, totaling almost one 
hundred beads, manufactured from bird bone humeri and small mammal 
bones; one lot of over forty bone beads; one small unmodified stone; 
and the midsection of one gray chert projectile point.
    At least two of the individuals were buried in a flexed position. A 
radiocarbon date of 1,805105 B.P. (A.D. 1-443 calibrated) was obtained 
in 1965 from one of the burials, identifying the individuals as Native 
American. Based on this date and the manner of burial, the site is 
chronologically placed in the Early Ceramic period (A.D. 150-1150) of 
the Late Prehistoric stage, the period during which Plains Woodland 
cultures occupied this region.
    In 1967, human remains representing a minimum of five individuals 
were removed from the Gahagan-Lipe site

[[Page 5371]]

(5MR378), Morgan County, CO, by David Breternitz, Department of 
Anthropology, University of Colorado, Boulder, as part of an 
archeological salvage operation during residential construction 
activities. The human remains and other materials from the site were 
transferred from the Department of Anthropology to the University of 
Colorado Museum in 1991. No known individuals were identified. The four 
associated funerary objects are one fragment of a shell pendant, one 
deer ankle bone, one chipped stone graver, and one bird femur. An 
atlatl weight appears to have been associated with one of the burials 
but was lost before 1991.
    Based on the associated funerary objects and the burial style, the 
human remains are determined to be Native American. Burial practices 
exhibited by the Gahagan-Lipe burials are similar to patterns common in 
other Plains Woodland sites inhabited during the Early Ceramic period 
(A.D. 150-1150) in this part of Colorado.
    In 1963, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from a site on the Kenneth Walker farm in Morgan County, 
CO, by Joe Ben Wheat, University of Colorado Museum, and David 
Breternitz, Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, 
Boulder. The site is approximately 10 miles south of Fort Morgan, 
Morgan County, CO. No known individual was identified. The four 
associated funerary objects are projectile points and point fragments. 
Field reports note several sherds, no longer present in the 
collections.
    The individual was buried in a flexed position. Based on the 
recorded presence of pottery at the site, the styles of projectile 
points, and the manner of burial, the human remains are Native American 
and most likely date to the Early Ceramic period (A.D. 150-1150) of the 
Late Prehistoric stage, the period during which Plains Woodland 
cultures occupied this region.
    In 1948, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from a site on the Sidel Ranch near Sedgwick, Sedgwick 
County, CO, by unknown individuals. The human remains were examined by 
the Sedgwick County coroner and then reported to the University of 
Colorado Museum. The human remains were donated to the museum in 1948. 
No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    The individual was buried in a flexed position. Osteological 
characteristics and manner of burial indicate that the human remains 
from Sidel Ranch are prehistoric Native American. Based on the location 
and manner of burial, the human remains are dated to between the Late 
Archaic (1000 B.C.-A.D. 150) and the Protohistoric (A.D. 1540-1860) 
periods.
    In 1954, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from a site on the Soucie Ranch, west of Longmont, Boulder 
County, CO, by Joe Ben Wheat, University of Colorado Museum, and were 
donated to the museum by Mr. Soucie the same year. No known individual 
was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    The body was in a flexed position, and limestone rocks covered the 
skull. Based on osteological characteristics and style of burial, the 
human remains are Native American. The human remains date to between 
the Late Archaic (1000 B.C.-A.D. 150) and the Protohistoric (A.D. 1540-
1860) periods.
    In 1951, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from an unknown area near the old toll station in Boulder 
Canyon, Boulder County, CO. The human remains were either transferred 
to the University of Colorado Museum by another University of Colorado 
department or anonymously donated prior to 1993. No known individual 
was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on dental characteristics and burial location in an unmarked 
grave far from historic settlements, the human remains are determined 
to be Native American. The human remains date to 1000 B.C.-A.D. 1860, 
based on the fact that most Native American burials in this area post-
date the Late Archaic period (1000 B.C.-A.D. 150).
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of three 
individuals were removed from unknown locations in Boulder County, CO, 
by unknown individuals. The limited museum records suggest that two 
individuals were removed from locations near Sugarloaf Road, west of 
Boulder, CO. In 1983, the human remains were donated to the University 
of Colorado Museum by an unknown individual. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Osteological characteristics and burial in unmarked graves indicate 
that the human remains are of Native American origin. Dental wear, the 
poor preservation of some of the human remains, and the fact that the 
individuals were found in unmarked graves all indicate that the burial 
date to a time before A.D. 1860, and probably post-date the Late 
Archaic period (1000 B.C.-A.D. 150).
    In about 1951, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from an unknown location near the Upper St. 
Vrain River, Boulder County, CO, by Elmer Johnson. At an unknown date 
between 1951 and 1993, the human remains were either transferred to the 
University of Colorado Museum by another department or were anonymously 
donated to the museum. No known individual was identified. The one 
associated funerary object is an animal bone.
    Osteological characteristics and burial in an unmarked grave 
indicate that the human remains are of Native American origin. Dental 
wear, the poor preservation of the human remains, and the fact that the 
individual was found in an unmarked grave indicate that the burial 
dates to a time before A.D. 1860, and most likely post-dates the Late 
Archaic period (1000 B.C.-A.D. 150).
    At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of three 
individuals were removed from unknown locations in the Red Canyon-
Copper Mountain region, Fremont County, CO, by Bert Roberts. Mr. 
Roberts donated the human remains to the University of Colorado Museum 
sometime probably prior to 1940. No known individuals were identified. 
No associated funerary objects are present.
    Osteological characteristics and burial in an unmarked grave 
indicate that the human remains are of Native American origin. Dental 
wear, the poor preservation of the human remains, and the fact that the 
individuals were found in unmarked graves indicate that the burials 
date to a time before A.D. 1860, and most likely post-date the Late 
Archaic period (1000 B.C.-A.D. 150).
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from an unknown location in Huerfano County, 
CO, called ``Walsenburg Cave.'' The human remains were anonymously 
donated to the University of Colorado Museum about 1960. No known 
individual was identified. The three associated funerary objects are 
one blanket of leather and feathers and two flaked lithic tools.
    Associated funerary objects and manner of burial indicate that the 
human remains are of Native American origin. It is likely that the 
burial dates to within the last 2,000 years based on the relatively 
good preservation of the leather and feather blanket.
    On an unknown date, prior to 1916, human remains representing a 
minimum of one individual were removed from an unknown location near 
Berthoud, Larimer County, CO, by

[[Page 5372]]

F.A. Frazier. The human remains were found in association with a 
minimum of two other individuals, whose remains were not removed. Mr. 
Frazier donated the human remains to the University of Colorado Museum 
in 1916. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    The nature of the burial, dentition, and the fact that multiple 
burials were found close to one another all suggest that the burial is 
of a Native American individual and dates to between the Late Archaic 
(1000 B.C.-A.D. 150) and the Protohistoric (A.D. 1540-1860) periods.
    In or about 1936, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from an unknown location near Loveland, Larimer 
County, CO, by W.A. Rhinehart. The human remains were donated to the 
University of Colorado Museum by Nancy Byers in 1979. No known 
individual was identified. The three associated funerary objects are 
one bone bead bracelet and two shell disks.

    Based on the fact that the burial was found in an unmarked grave 
with bone beads and shell disks, the human remains are determined to be 
Native American in origin. The burial most likely dates to the last 
3,000 years based on artifacts and the fact that most Native American 
habitations in this region date to the Late Archaic or Late Prehistoric 
periods.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of two 
individuals were removed from an unknown location near Weldona, Morgan 
County, CO, by an unknown individual. On an unknown date prior to 1990, 
the remains were donated to the University of Colorado Museum by Mr. 
McPerry. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    The limited information available for the Weldona burials suggests 
that the human remains came from unmarked graves and that no historic 
items were associated with the burials. This suggests that the 
individuals are Native American and that the burials pre-date A.D. 
1860.
    In 1954, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from an unknown location in Saguache County, CO, by M.F. 
Boyd. The remains were donated to the museum the same year by Mrs. M.F. 
Boyd. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    Osteological characteristics and burial pattern suggest that the 
human remains are Native American in origin. Based on limited 
information on a mano and a metate reportedly found close to the burial 
in 1954, but not present in the collections, it appears that the burial 
dates to approximately the Late Prehistoric stage (A.D. 150-1540), the 
period during which Plains Woodland cultures occupied this region.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from an unknown location in Yuma County, CO, by 
Bud Knapp. Sometime prior to 1991, the human remains were donated to 
the University of Colorado Museum by Henry H. Hoskin of Burlington, CO. 
No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    Based on limited museum records, it appears that the burial was 
found in an unmarked grave, suggesting that the human remains are 
Native American and probably date to a time prior to A.D. 1860.
    Geographic, historic, and linguistic evidence suggest historical 
continuity between early occupations in eastern Colorado and a number 
of tribes currently residing outside Colorado. Archeological evidence 
suggests at least partial historical continuity in occupation of 
eastern Colorado from the Late Archaic through the Middle Ceramic 
period, and that there are non-specific continuities between 
occupations in eastern Colorado in the Middle Ceramic period and 
historically known tribes that reside outside of Colorado. Oral 
traditions and Native American expert opinion indicate that strong 
historical connections exist between these same tribes and occupations 
in eastern Colorado.
    Geographical, historic, and linguistic evidence and references 
include a series of authoritative studies. The Indian Land Areas 
Judicially Established 1978 Map indicates the legal claim to lands in 
eastern Colorado based upon traditional use for the Ute, Cheyenne, and 
Arapaho. The Early Indian Tribes, Culture Areas, and Linguistic Stocks 
Map establishes the presence of the Ute throughout much of Colorado at 
the time of contact with Europeans. The Colorado Office of Archaeology 
and Historic Preservation map of Native American distribution in 
Colorado establishes the presence of the Ute, Lakota, Arapaho, 
Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, Apache, and Pawnee in eastern and central 
Colorado in the nineteenth century. The Native Languages and Language 
Families of North America map in Handbook of North American Indians: 
Languages (vol. 17; Smithsonian Institution 1996) establishes the 
presence in the region at contact of Uto-Aztecan (Ute, Comanche), Algic 
(Arapaho, Nawathinehena), and Nadene (Jicarilla Apache) language 
families. Additionally, information in The Handbook of North American 
Indians: Plains (vol. 13; Smithsonian Institution 2001) and Colorado 
Prehistory (Arkansas River Basin and Platte River Basin; Colorado 
Council of Professional Archeologists, 1999) suggests occupation, use, 
and historical connections to this area by Sioux, Hidatsa, Arikara, and 
Mandan tribes. Moreover, geographic, historic, and linguistic 
references indicate considerable movement of tribal groups within and 
through the eastern Colorado region; that is, many tribes located 
outside the region in historic times are known to have moved through 
and occupied the region. Linguistic evidence of discontinuous 
distributions of Uto-Aztecan (Ute, Comanche), Algic (Arapaho, 
Mawathinehena), Kiowa-Tanoan, and Caddoan (Hidatsa, Pawnee) language 
families indicate that these movements occurred long before historic 
records. Anthropological resources suggest knowledge and use of the 
region, prior, during, and after movements by all of the named tribes.

    Archeological evidence, summarized above, indicates that Native 
American habitation in eastern Colorado spanned the Late Archaic to 
Protohistoric periods (1000 B.C. to A.D. 1860). Archeological evidence 
suggests at least partial historical continuity from Late Archaic 
through the Plains Woodlands Early Ceramic periods (1000 B.C. to A.D. 
1150) and, with less specific evidence, through the Middle Ceramic 
period (A.D. 1150 to 1540). Based on archeological evidence, it is 
clear that Plains Woodland cultures are ancestral to many modern tribes 
of the northern, central, and southern Great Plains, but specific 
affiliations between the various expressions of Plains Woodland culture 
and Middle Ceramic period culture and particular modern tribal groups 
are difficult to make.
    Aceramic traditions persisted in the mountainous regions, extending 
eastward across eastern Colorado into the Great Plains until 
Protohistoric period. These aceramic traditions probably represent 
ancestral Ute and Jicarilla Apache tribes, as well as aceramic 
occupations of Plains Woodland and later, historically related, Plains 
tribes. It is not possible to make specific affiliations between these 
varied aceramic traditions and particular modern tribal groups.
    Oral history obtained during consultations indicates the presence 
of historical continuity in Native American

[[Page 5373]]

occupation of eastern Colorado from the Late Archaic through 
Protohistoric periods. In consultations with potentially affiliated 
groups, the Arapahoe Tribe of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming; 
Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma; Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the 
Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado; and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of the 
Ute Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New Mexico & Utah, all offered 
information from histories and oral traditions to place their tribes 
prehistorically along the Front Range and adjacent plains of eastern 
Colorado. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River 
Reservation, South Dakota; Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; Crow Tribe of 
Montana; Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma; Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North 
& South Dakota; and Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold 
Reservation, North Dakota offered traditional information that 
substantiated that they had occupied this area of the Plains prior to 
European settlement.
    Officials of the University of Colorado Museum have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9-10), the human remains described 
above represent the physical remains of a minimum of 47 individuals of 
Native American ancestry. Officials of the University of Colorado 
Museum also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 
79 objects described above are 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 University 
of Colorado Museum 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 Arapahoe Tribe 
of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming; Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of 
Oklahoma; Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River Reservation, 
South Dakota; Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; Crow Tribe of Montana; Fort 
Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Jicarilla Apache Tribe of New Mexico; 
Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma; Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern 
Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Montana; Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Pine 
Ridge Reservation, South Dakota; Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma; Rosebud 
Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota; Southern 
Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado; Standing 
Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota; Three Affiliated Tribes of 
the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota; Ute Indian Tribe of the 
Uintah & Ouray Reservation, Utah; and Ute Mountain Tribe of the Ute 
Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New Mexico & Utah.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact Steve Lekson, Curator of Anthropology, 
University of Colorado Museum, Henderson Building, Campus Box 218, 
Boulder, CO 80309-0218, telephone (303) 492-6671, before March 3, 2006. 
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects to 
the Arapahoe Tribe of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming; Cheyenne-
Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma; Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne 
River Reservation, South Dakota; Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; Crow Tribe 
of Montana; Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Jicarilla Apache Tribe 
of New Mexico; Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma; Northern Cheyenne Tribe 
of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Montana; Oglala Sioux 
Tribe of the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota; Pawnee Nation of 
Oklahoma; Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, South 
Dakota; Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, 
Colorado; Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota; Three 
Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota; Ute 
Indian Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation, Utah; and Ute Mountain 
Tribe of the Ute Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New Mexico & Utah may 
proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    University of Colorado Museum is responsible for notifying the 
Arapahoe Tribe of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming; Cheyenne-Arapaho 
Tribes of Oklahoma; Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River 
Reservation, South Dakota; Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; Crow Tribe of 
Montana; Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Jicarilla Apache Tribe of 
New Mexico; Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma; Northern Cheyenne Tribe of 
the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Montana; Oglala Sioux Tribe 
of the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota; Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma; 
Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota; 
Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado; 
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota; Three Affiliated 
Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota; Ute Indian Tribe 
of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation, Utah; and Ute Mountain Tribe of the 
Ute Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New Mexico & Utah.

    Dated: January 11, 2006.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E6-1273 Filed 1-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S