Notice of Inventory Completion: Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville, TN, 39909-39911 [2017-17647]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Notices
Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of
Cherokee Indians; and United
Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in
Oklahoma.
• The Treaty of September 20, 1816,
indicates that the land from which the
Native American human remains were
removed is the aboriginal land of The
Chickasaw Nation.
• Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1)(ii),
the disposition of the human remains
may be to the Cherokee Nation; Eastern
Band of Cherokee Indians; The
Chickasaw Nation; and United
Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in
Oklahoma. The Cherokee Nation;
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; and
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee
Indians in Oklahoma have declined to
accept transfer of control of the human
remains.
• Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(4),
TVA has decided to transfer control of
the funerary objects associated with the
culturally unidentifiable human
remains to The Chickasaw Nation.
Additional Requestors and Disposition
Representatives of any Federally
recognized Indian Tribe not identified
in this notice that wish to request
transfer of control of these human
remains and associated funerary objects
should submit a written request with
information in support of the request to
Dr. Thomas O. Maher, TVA, 400 West
Summit Hill Drive, WT11D, Knoxville,
TN 37902–1401, telephone (865) 632–
7458, email tomaher@tva.gov, by
September 21, 2017. After that date, if
no additional requestors have come
forward, transfer of control of the
human remains and associated funerary
objects to The Chickasaw Nation may
proceed.
The TVA is responsible for notifying
The Consulted Tribes that this notice
has been published.
Dated: June 28, 2017.
Melanie O’Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017–17700 Filed 8–21–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–52–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
National Park Service
[NPS–WASO–NAGPRA–23667;
PPWOCRADN0–PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion:
Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville,
TN
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
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The Tennessee Valley
Authority (TVA) has completed an
inventory of human remains and
associated funerary objects in
consultation with the appropriate
federally recognized Indian Tribes, and
has determined that a cultural affiliation
between the human remains and
associated funerary objects and any
present-day federally recognized Indian
Tribes cannot be reasonably traced.
Representatives of any federally
recognized Indian Tribe not identified
in this notice that wish to request
transfer of control of these human
remains and associated funerary objects
should submit a written request to TVA.
If no additional requestors come
forward, transfer of control of the
human remains and associated funerary
objects to the federally recognized
Indian Tribe stated in this notice may
proceed.
DATES: Representatives of any federally
recognized Indian Tribe not identified
in this notice that wish to request
transfer of control of these human
remains and associated funerary objects
should submit a written request with
information in support of the request to
TVA at the address in this notice by
September 21, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Dr. Thomas O. Maher, TVA,
400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT11D,
Knoxville TN 37902–1401, telephone
(865) 632–7458, email tomaher@tva.gov.
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 and associated
funerary objects under the control of
TVA. The human remains and
associated funerary objects were
removed from multiple archeological
sites in Lawrence, Limestone, Madison,
and Morgan Counties, AL.
This notice is published as part of the
National Park Service’s administrative
responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25
U.S.C. 3003(d)(3) and 43 CFR 10.11(d).
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.
SUMMARY:
Consultation
A detailed assessment of the human
remains and associated funerary objects
was made by TVA professional staff in
consultation with representatives of the
Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of
Oklahoma; Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of
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39909
Texas (previously listed as the AlabamaCoushatta Tribes of Texas); Cherokee
Nation; Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana;
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians;
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians;
Poarch Band of Creeks (previously listed
as the Poarch Band of Creek Indians of
Alabama); The Chickasaw Nation; The
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; The
Muscogee (Creek) Nation; The Seminole
Nation of Oklahoma; and United
Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in
Oklahoma (hereafter referred to as ‘‘The
Consulted Tribes’’).
History and Description of the Remains
In June of 1934, human remains
representing, at minimum, 104
individuals were removed from site
1LA16 in Lawrence County, AL, by the
Alabama Museum of Natural History at
the University of Alabama (AMNH).
TVA acquired this site on February 14,
1934, for the Wheeler Reservoir project.
Flooding prevented extensive
excavation of the site, which is now
permanently inundated. There are no
radiocarbon dates for this site. The
human remains are in the physical
custody of AMNH and include adults,
juveniles, children, and infants of both
sexes. No known individuals were
identified. No associated funerary
objects are present.
At some time during the 1950s,
human remains representing, at
minimum, one individual were removed
from site 1LI19 in Limestone County,
AL, by James Cambron. TVA acquired
this site on August 7, 1934, for the
Wheeler Reservoir project, but no formal
excavations were conducted. Stone tools
associated with the Archaic period were
collected from the site. The human
remains are in the physical custody of
AMNH and include one adult,
approximately 18 years old, of
indeterminate sex. No known individual
was identified. No associated funerary
objects are present.
At some time during the 1950s,
human remains representing, at
minimum, three individuals were
removed from sites 1LI20 and 1LI21 in
Limestone County, AL, by James
Cambron. TVA acquired these sites on
November 24, 1934, for the Wheeler
Reservoir project, but no formal
excavations were conducted. Both sites
were described as earthen mounds with
no chronological placement. The human
remains are in the physical custody of
AMNH and include one adult male, 30–
40 years old, and one adult female, 30–
40 years old, from site 1LI20; and one
adult female, approximately 50 years
old, from site 1LI21. No known
individuals were identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
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39910
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Notices
At some time during the 1950s,
human remains representing, at
minimum, two individuals were
removed from sites 1LI25 and 1LI26 in
Limestone County, AL, by James
Cambron. TVA acquired these sites on
December 17, 1935, for the Wheeler
Reservoir project, but no formal
excavations were conducted. Site 1LI25
was described as an earthen mound, but
no chronological placement was
determined for either site. The human
remains are in the physical custody of
AMNH and include one individual, 10–
13 years old, of indeterminate sex, from
site 1LI25; and one adult of
indeterminate sex from site 1LI26. No
known individuals were identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
In March of 1934, human remains
representing, at minimum, 46
individuals were removed from site
1LI36, in Lawrence County, AL, by
AMNH. TVA acquired this site on
December 17, 1935, for the Wheeler
Reservoir project, and the excavation
was conducted with Federal funds in
anticipation of the inundation of this
site. The site was a shell mound
adjacent to the river bank with two
raised areas designated Mounds A and
B. Mound A was excavated by C.B.
Moore in 1914, but artifacts from that
excavation are not under TVA’s control.
Mound B had some evidence of
stratification with hearths and burned
clay floors, but it is difficult to
determine if this mound was primarily
due to the collection of village midden,
mussel shell, and flood soils over time,
or intentionally constructed earthen
work. There are no radiocarbon dates
available for this site, but artifacts
suggest at least two occupations: a Late
Woodland McKelvey II phase (A.D.
700–1000) and a Mississippian Hobbs
Island phase (A.D. 1200–1450). The
human remains and associated funerary
objects are in the physical custody of
AMNH and include infants, adolescents,
and adults of both sexes. No known
individuals were identified. The three
associated funerary objects are one
antler tool, one Mississippi Plain jar,
and one Mississippi Plain
hemispherical bowl.
From January 1939 to April 1940,
human remains representing, at
minimum, 232 individuals were
removed from the Whitesburg Bridge
site (1MA10) in Madison County, AL.
TVA acquired this site on July 6, 1936,
for the Wheeler Reservoir project, and
excavations of both trenches and blocks
identified five natural zones (strata).
Limestone-tempered Long Branch
Fabric Marked ceramics from Zone B
suggests an occupation during the
Colbert phase (300 B.C.–A.D. 100).
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Zones D and E were considered preceramic by the excavators and most of
the human remains were recovered from
Zone D. The presence of ground
sandstone and soapstone vessels and
Wade and Cotaco Creek projectile points
suggest a Late Archaic (4000–1000 B.C.)
to Early Woodland (1000–500 B.C.)
occupation. The human remains and
associated funerary objects are in the
physical custody of AMNH and include
adults, juveniles, and infants of both
sexes. No known individuals were
identified. The 1,800 associated
funerary objects are 2 bar gorgets; 4 bone
awls; 1 bone billet; 2 bone pins; 7 bone
punches; 2 bone shaft-wrench; 14 celts
(whole and fragments); 1 Cotaco Creek
projectile point; 1 Ebenezer projectile
point ; 1 grooved stone axe; 1 ground
stone tool; 4 ground stone fragments; 1
hafted limestone tool; 1 hammerstone; 2
wolf jaws (headdress); 3 limestone hoes;
1 limestone hoe fragment; 2 limestone
fragments; 1 flaked and ground
limestone tool; 1 chert knife; 1 Little
Bear Creek projectile point; 3
unidentified projectile points; 1 chert
preform; 2 sandstone bowls; 224
sandstone bowl sherds; 175 shell and
copper beads; 1,217 shell beads; 1
siltstone fragment; 6 soapstone bead
fragments; 110 soapstone bowl sherds; 1
stone bead; 2 turtle plastrons; and 5
Wade projectile points.
From February to March of 1934,
human remains representing, at
minimum, 80 individuals were removed
from site 1MG2 in Morgan County, AL,
by AMNH. TVA acquired two parcels of
land encompassing this site on March
15, 1935, and July 24, 1935, for the
Wheeler Reservoir project.The
excavation was conducted with Federal
funds in anticipation of the inundation
of this site. There are no radiocarbon
dates from this site, but artifacts suggest
occupations from the Late Archaic
(4000–1000 B.C.) to the Late Woodland
(500–900 B.C.). The human remains are
in the physical custody of AMNH and
include adults, juveniles, and infants of
both sexes. No known individuals were
identified. No associated funerary
objects are present.
Determinations Made by the Tennessee
Valley Authority
Officials of TVA have determined
that:
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the
human remains described in this notice
are Native American based on their
presence in prehistoric archeological
sites and osteological analysis.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the
human remains described in this notice
represent the physical remains of 468
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Frm 00162
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
individuals of Native American
ancestry.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A),
the 1,803 objects described in this
notice 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.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), a
relationship of shared group identity
cannot be reasonably traced between the
Native American human remains and
associated funerary objects and any
present-day Indian Tribe.
• According to final judgments of the
Indian Claims Commission or the Court
of Federal Claims, the land from which
the Native American human remains
and associated funerary objects were
removed is the aboriginal land of the
Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of
Cherokee Indians; and United
Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in
Oklahoma.
• The Treaty of September 20, 1816,
indicates that the land from which the
Native American human remains were
removed is the aboriginal land of The
Chickasaw Nation.
• Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1)(ii),
the disposition of the human remains
may be to the Cherokee Nation; Eastern
Band of Cherokee Indians; The
Chickasaw Nation; and United
Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in
Oklahoma. The Chickasaw Nation has
declined to accept transfer of control of
the human remains.
• Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(4),
TVA has decided to transfer control of
the funerary objects associated with the
culturally unidentifiable human
remains to the Cherokee Nation; Eastern
Band of Cherokee Indians; and United
Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in
Oklahoma.
Additional Requestors and Disposition
Representatives of any federally
recognized Indian Tribe not identified
in this notice that wish to request
transfer of control of these human
remains and associated funerary objects
should submit a written request with
information in support of the request to
Dr. Thomas O. Maher, TVA, 400 West
Summit Hill Drive, WT11D, Knoxville,
TN 37902–1401, telephone (865) 632–
7458, email tomaher@tva.gov, by
September 21, 2017. After that date, if
no additional requestors have come
forward, transfer of control of the
human remains and associated funerary
objects to the Cherokee Nation; Eastern
Band of Cherokee Indians; and United
Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in
Oklahoma may proceed.
E:\FR\FM\22AUN1.SGM
22AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Notices
The TVA is responsible for notifying
The Consulted Tribes that this notice
has been published.
Dated: June 28, 2017.
Melanie O’Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017–17647 Filed 8–21–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–52–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–WASO–NAGPRA–23706;
PCU00RP14.R50000–PPWOCRDN0]
Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of
Indian Affairs, Washington, DC, and
Nevada State Museum, Carson City,
NV
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The U.S. Department of the
Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and
Nevada State Museum have completed
an inventory of human remains and
associated funerary objects, in
consultation with the appropriate
Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian
organizations, and have determined that
there is a cultural affiliation between the
human remains and associated funerary
objects 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 and associated
funerary objects should submit a written
request to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
If no additional requestors come
forward, transfer of control of the
human remains and associated funerary
objects 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 and associated funerary
objects should submit a written request
with information in support of the
request to the Bureau of Indian Affairs
at the address in this notice by
September 21, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Anna Pardo, Museum
Program Manager/NAGPRA
Coordinator, U.S. Department of the
Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 12220
Sunrise Valley Drive, Room 6084,
Reston, VA 20191, telephone (703) 390–
6343, email Anna.Pardo@bia.gov.
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SUMMARY:
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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 under the control of the
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau
of Indian Affairs, Washington, DC, and
in the physical custody of the Nevada
State Museum, Carson City, NV. The
human remains and associated funerary
objects were removed from multiple
sites near Pyramid Lake in Washoe
County, NV.
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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Consultation
A detailed assessment of the human
remains was made by the Bureau of
Indian Affairs professional staff in
consultation with representatives of the
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of the
Pyramid Lake Reservation, Nevada.
History and Description of the Remains
In 1954, human remains representing,
at minimum, one individual were
removed from site 26WA0005 near
Pyramid Lake in Washoe County, NV.
The human remains (AHUR 734/2091)
were discovered by a member of the
public. Nevada State Museum staff
collected the remains and funerary
objects. They have been housed at the
Nevada State Museum since being
collected. No known individuals were
identified. The three associated funerary
objects are two strings of shells and one
fur robe.
In 1965, human remains representing,
at minimum, four individuals were
removed from site 26WA0274 near
Pyramid Lake in Washoe County, NV.
The human remains (AHURs 775, 776,
851, and 852) were removed by Nevada
State Museum staff under an Antiquities
Act permit and have been housed at the
Nevada State Museum since being
collected. No known individuals were
identified. No associated funerary
objects are present.
In 1965, human remains representing,
at minimum, nine individuals were
removed from site 26WA0275 near
Pyramid Lake in Washoe County, NV.
The human remains (AHURs 840, 841,
842, 846, 853, 854, 855, 856, and 6037)
were removed by Nevada State Museum
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39911
staff under an Antiquities Act permit
and have been housed at the Nevada
State Museum since being collected. No
known individuals were identified. The
429 associated funerary objects include
basketry fragments, beads, cordage,
flakes, projectile points, wood
fragments, animal bones, bark, twigs,
and stone materials.
In 1965, human remains representing,
at minimum, one individual were
removed from site 26WA0280 near
Pyramid Lake in Washoe County, NV.
The human remains (AHUR 777) were
removed by Nevada State Museum staff
under an Antiquities Act permit and
have been housed at the Nevada State
Museum since being collected. No
known individuals were identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
In 1965, human remains representing,
at minimum, three individuals were
removed from site 26WA0291 near
Pyramid Lake in Washoe County, NV.
The human remains (AHURs 778, 779,
and 2015) were removed by Nevada
State Museum staff under an Antiquities
Act permit and have been housed at the
Nevada State Museum since being
collected. No known individuals were
identified. The 213 associated funerary
objects include basketry fragments,
cordage, flakes, projectile points, plant
fragments, and stone materials.
In 1965, human remains representing,
at minimum, one individual were
removed from site 26WA0292 near
Pyramid Lake in Washoe County, NV.
The human remains (AHUR 783) were
removed by Nevada State Museum staff
under an Antiquities Act permit and
have been housed at the Nevada State
Museum since being collected. No
known individuals were identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
In 1965, human remains representing,
at minimum, three individuals were
removed from site 26WA0314 near
Pyramid Lake in Washoe County, NV.
The human remains (AHURs 780, 781,
and 782) were removed by Nevada State
Museum staff under an Antiquities Act
permit and have been housed at the
Nevada State Museum since being
collected. No known individuals were
identified. No associated funerary
objects are present.
In 1965, human remains representing,
at minimum, three individuals were
removed from site 26WA0315 near
Pyramid Lake in Washoe County, NV.
The human remains (AHURs 850, 859,
and 2119) were removed by Nevada
State Museum staff under an Antiquities
Act permit and have been housed at the
Nevada State Museum since being
collected. No known individuals were
identified. No associated funerary
objects are present.
E:\FR\FM\22AUN1.SGM
22AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 22, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39909-39911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17647]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-23667; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: Tennessee Valley Authority,
Knoxville, TN
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has completed an
inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects in
consultation with the appropriate federally recognized Indian Tribes,
and has determined that a cultural affiliation between the human
remains and associated funerary objects and any present-day federally
recognized Indian Tribes cannot be reasonably traced. Representatives
of any federally recognized Indian Tribe not identified in this notice
that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains and
associated funerary objects should submit a written request to TVA. If
no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human
remains and associated funerary objects to the federally recognized
Indian Tribe stated in this notice may proceed.
DATES: Representatives of any federally recognized Indian Tribe not
identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of
these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a
written request with information in support of the request to TVA at
the address in this notice by September 21, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Dr. Thomas O. Maher, TVA, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT11D,
Knoxville TN 37902-1401, telephone (865) 632-7458, email
tomaher@tva.gov.
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 and
associated funerary objects under the control of TVA. The human remains
and associated funerary objects were removed from multiple
archeological sites in Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, and Morgan
Counties, AL.
This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3) and
43 CFR 10.11(d). 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.
Consultation
A detailed assessment of the human remains and associated funerary
objects was made by TVA professional staff in consultation with
representatives of the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma;
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas (previously listed as the Alabama-
Coushatta Tribes of Texas); Cherokee Nation; Coushatta Tribe of
Louisiana; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Mississippi Band of
Choctaw Indians; Poarch Band of Creeks (previously listed as the Poarch
Band of Creek Indians of Alabama); The Chickasaw Nation; The Choctaw
Nation of Oklahoma; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; The Seminole Nation of
Oklahoma; and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma
(hereafter referred to as ``The Consulted Tribes'').
History and Description of the Remains
In June of 1934, human remains representing, at minimum, 104
individuals were removed from site 1LA16 in Lawrence County, AL, by the
Alabama Museum of Natural History at the University of Alabama (AMNH).
TVA acquired this site on February 14, 1934, for the Wheeler Reservoir
project. Flooding prevented extensive excavation of the site, which is
now permanently inundated. There are no radiocarbon dates for this
site. The human remains are in the physical custody of AMNH and include
adults, juveniles, children, and infants of both sexes. No known
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are
present.
At some time during the 1950s, human remains representing, at
minimum, one individual were removed from site 1LI19 in Limestone
County, AL, by James Cambron. TVA acquired this site on August 7, 1934,
for the Wheeler Reservoir project, but no formal excavations were
conducted. Stone tools associated with the Archaic period were
collected from the site. The human remains are in the physical custody
of AMNH and include one adult, approximately 18 years old, of
indeterminate sex. No known individual was identified. No associated
funerary objects are present.
At some time during the 1950s, human remains representing, at
minimum, three individuals were removed from sites 1LI20 and 1LI21 in
Limestone County, AL, by James Cambron. TVA acquired these sites on
November 24, 1934, for the Wheeler Reservoir project, but no formal
excavations were conducted. Both sites were described as earthen mounds
with no chronological placement. The human remains are in the physical
custody of AMNH and include one adult male, 30-40 years old, and one
adult female, 30-40 years old, from site 1LI20; and one adult female,
approximately 50 years old, from site 1LI21. No known individuals were
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
[[Page 39910]]
At some time during the 1950s, human remains representing, at
minimum, two individuals were removed from sites 1LI25 and 1LI26 in
Limestone County, AL, by James Cambron. TVA acquired these sites on
December 17, 1935, for the Wheeler Reservoir project, but no formal
excavations were conducted. Site 1LI25 was described as an earthen
mound, but no chronological placement was determined for either site.
The human remains are in the physical custody of AMNH and include one
individual, 10-13 years old, of indeterminate sex, from site 1LI25; and
one adult of indeterminate sex from site 1LI26. No known individuals
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
In March of 1934, human remains representing, at minimum, 46
individuals were removed from site 1LI36, in Lawrence County, AL, by
AMNH. TVA acquired this site on December 17, 1935, for the Wheeler
Reservoir project, and the excavation was conducted with Federal funds
in anticipation of the inundation of this site. The site was a shell
mound adjacent to the river bank with two raised areas designated
Mounds A and B. Mound A was excavated by C.B. Moore in 1914, but
artifacts from that excavation are not under TVA's control. Mound B had
some evidence of stratification with hearths and burned clay floors,
but it is difficult to determine if this mound was primarily due to the
collection of village midden, mussel shell, and flood soils over time,
or intentionally constructed earthen work. There are no radiocarbon
dates available for this site, but artifacts suggest at least two
occupations: a Late Woodland McKelvey II phase (A.D. 700-1000) and a
Mississippian Hobbs Island phase (A.D. 1200-1450). The human remains
and associated funerary objects are in the physical custody of AMNH and
include infants, adolescents, and adults of both sexes. No known
individuals were identified. The three associated funerary objects are
one antler tool, one Mississippi Plain jar, and one Mississippi Plain
hemispherical bowl.
From January 1939 to April 1940, human remains representing, at
minimum, 232 individuals were removed from the Whitesburg Bridge site
(1MA10) in Madison County, AL. TVA acquired this site on July 6, 1936,
for the Wheeler Reservoir project, and excavations of both trenches and
blocks identified five natural zones (strata). Limestone-tempered Long
Branch Fabric Marked ceramics from Zone B suggests an occupation during
the Colbert phase (300 B.C.-A.D. 100). Zones D and E were considered
pre-ceramic by the excavators and most of the human remains were
recovered from Zone D. The presence of ground sandstone and soapstone
vessels and Wade and Cotaco Creek projectile points suggest a Late
Archaic (4000-1000 B.C.) to Early Woodland (1000-500 B.C.) occupation.
The human remains and associated funerary objects are in the physical
custody of AMNH and include adults, juveniles, and infants of both
sexes. No known individuals were identified. The 1,800 associated
funerary objects are 2 bar gorgets; 4 bone awls; 1 bone billet; 2 bone
pins; 7 bone punches; 2 bone shaft-wrench; 14 celts (whole and
fragments); 1 Cotaco Creek projectile point; 1 Ebenezer projectile
point ; 1 grooved stone axe; 1 ground stone tool; 4 ground stone
fragments; 1 hafted limestone tool; 1 hammerstone; 2 wolf jaws
(headdress); 3 limestone hoes; 1 limestone hoe fragment; 2 limestone
fragments; 1 flaked and ground limestone tool; 1 chert knife; 1 Little
Bear Creek projectile point; 3 unidentified projectile points; 1 chert
preform; 2 sandstone bowls; 224 sandstone bowl sherds; 175 shell and
copper beads; 1,217 shell beads; 1 siltstone fragment; 6 soapstone bead
fragments; 110 soapstone bowl sherds; 1 stone bead; 2 turtle plastrons;
and 5 Wade projectile points.
From February to March of 1934, human remains representing, at
minimum, 80 individuals were removed from site 1MG2 in Morgan County,
AL, by AMNH. TVA acquired two parcels of land encompassing this site on
March 15, 1935, and July 24, 1935, for the Wheeler Reservoir
project.The excavation was conducted with Federal funds in anticipation
of the inundation of this site. There are no radiocarbon dates from
this site, but artifacts suggest occupations from the Late Archaic
(4000-1000 B.C.) to the Late Woodland (500-900 B.C.). The human remains
are in the physical custody of AMNH and include adults, juveniles, and
infants of both sexes. No known individuals were identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
Determinations Made by the Tennessee Valley Authority
Officials of TVA have determined that:
Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described
in this notice are Native American based on their presence in
prehistoric archeological sites and osteological analysis.
Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described
in this notice represent the physical remains of 468 individuals of
Native American ancestry.
Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 1,803 objects
described in this notice 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.
Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), a relationship of shared
group identity cannot be reasonably traced between the Native American
human remains and associated funerary objects and any present-day
Indian Tribe.
According to final judgments of the Indian Claims
Commission or the Court of Federal Claims, the land from which the
Native American human remains and associated funerary objects were
removed is the aboriginal land of the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of
Cherokee Indians; and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in
Oklahoma.
The Treaty of September 20, 1816, indicates that the land
from which the Native American human remains were removed is the
aboriginal land of The Chickasaw Nation.
Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1)(ii), the disposition of the
human remains may be to the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee
Indians; The Chickasaw Nation; and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee
Indians in Oklahoma. The Chickasaw Nation has declined to accept
transfer of control of the human remains.
Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(4), TVA has decided to
transfer control of the funerary objects associated with the culturally
unidentifiable human remains to the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of
Cherokee Indians; and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in
Oklahoma.
Additional Requestors and Disposition
Representatives of any federally recognized Indian Tribe not
identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of
these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a
written request with information in support of the request to Dr.
Thomas O. Maher, TVA, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT11D, Knoxville, TN
37902-1401, telephone (865) 632-7458, email tomaher@tva.gov, by
September 21, 2017. After that date, if no additional requestors have
come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated
funerary objects to the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee
Indians; and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma may
proceed.
[[Page 39911]]
The TVA is responsible for notifying The Consulted Tribes that this
notice has been published.
Dated: June 28, 2017.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-17647 Filed 8-21-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
