Notice of Inventory Completion: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 21796 [2014-08818]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 74 (Thursday, April 17, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 21796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08818]



[[Page 21796]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-15177; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Texas A&M University, College 
Station, TX

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Texas A&M 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 Texas A&M 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 Texas A&M 
University at the address in this notice by May 19, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Suzanne L. Eckert, Department of Anthropology, Texas A&M 
University, College Station, TX 77843-4352, telephone (979) 845-5242.

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 Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. The human 
remains were removed from Erath, Somervell, and Palo Pinto Counties, 
TX.
    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 Texas A&M 
University (TAMU) professional staff in 1995. In 2010, representatives 
of the Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; Tonkawa Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; 
and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & 
Tawakonie), Oklahoma, were invited to consult with TAMU for the purpose 
of determining the place and manner of the repatriation. No 
representatives from the tribes contacted TAMU in response to this 
invitation.

History and Description of the Remains

    In the spring of 1991, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from the Trinque Site (41ER27) in Erath County, 
TX, by volunteers working with the Texas Historical Commission. These 
human remains were then donated to TAMU. At the time of excavation, the 
human remains from this site were identified as being from Feature 1 
(TAMU-NAGPRA 39). The human remains were determined to be one subadult. 
Based on the presence of diagnostic projectile points at the site, the 
human remains were dated to the Austin Phase (800-1350 A.D.). No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    In the fall of 1990, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from the Lemens Rockshelter (41SV60) in 
Somervell County, TX, by private individuals. These remains were then 
donated to TAMU. At the time of donation, the human remains were 
identified as late prehistoric, without further explanation. The human 
remains were determined to be one adult male and one subadult (TAMU-
NAGPRA 44). No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Some prior to 1988, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from private land in Palo Pinto County, TX, by 
individuals working for the Upham Oil & Gas Company. These remains were 
labeled the ``Owen Collection'' and donated to TAMU. At the time of 
donation, the human remains were identified as late Archaic (800-1500 
A.D.), without further explanation. The human remains were determined 
to be one adult female (TAMU-NAGPRA 62). No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on geographic location of all the sites in this notice, TAMU 
staff found it reasonable to trace a shared identity between the human 
remains in this notice and the Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; Tonkawa Tribe 
of Indians of Oklahoma; and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, 
Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie), Oklahoma.

Determinations Made by Texas A&M University

    Officials of Texas A&M University have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of four 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 the Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; Tonkawa Tribe 
of Indians of Oklahoma; and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, 
Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie), 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. 
Suzanne L. Eckert, Department of Anthropology, Texas A&M University, 
College Station, TX 77843-4352, telephone (979) 845-5242, by May 19, 
2014. After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, 
transfer of control of the human remains to the Comanche Nation, 
Oklahoma; Tonkawa Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; and the Wichita and 
Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie), Oklahoma.
    Texas A&M University is responsible for notifying the Comanche 
Nation, Oklahoma; Tonkawa Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; and the Wichita 
and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie), Oklahoma, 
that this notice has been published.

    Dated: March 4, 2014.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2014-08818 Filed 4-16-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-P