Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Alabama Museums, Tuscaloosa, AL, 38040-38043 [2019-16685]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38040-38043]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-16685]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0028454; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Alabama Museums, 
Tuscaloosa, AL

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The University of Alabama Museums has completed an inventory 
of human remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with 
the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has 
determined that there is no 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 University of Alabama Museums. 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 University of Alabama Museums at the 
address in this notice by September 4, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Dr. William Bomar, Executive Director, University of Alabama 
Museums, 121 Smith Hall, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, telephone (205) 348-
7550, email [email protected].

[[Page 38041]]


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 the University of 
Alabama Museums, Tuscaloosa, AL. The human remains and associated 
funerary objects were removed from sites 1Ct125, 1Ct129, and 1Ct130 in 
Colbert County, AL; sites 1Cu157 and 1Cu158 in Cullman County, AL; 
sites 1Fr1, 1Fr323, and 1Fr331 in Franklin County, AL; sites 1Mg61, 
1Mg62, 1Mg63, and 1Mg356 in Morgan County, AL; and ``WA'' which, more 
likely than not is from site 1Wa1 in Walker County, AL.
    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.

Consultation

    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the 
University of Alabama Museums professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the 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; The 
Chickasaw Nation; The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; The Muscogee (Creek) 
Nation; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma 
(hereafter referred to as ``The Consulted Tribes'').

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1960-1962, human remains representing, at minimum, 37 
individuals (HRID 3738-3762) were removed from the Stanfield-Worley 
Bluff Shelter, Site 1Ct125, in Colbert County, AL. The excavations were 
conducted by the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, under contract 
with the Archaeological Research Association of Alabama, Inc., 
Birmingham, AL. Stanfield-Worley was a large multicomponent bluff 
shelter. Diagnostic artifacts indicate occupation dating from Late 
Paleoindian (Dalton points) to Mississippian (Moundville Incised and 
Carthage Incised pottery) times. The human remains represent infants, 
children, adolescents, and adults of both sexes. No known individuals 
were identified. The four associated funerary objects are two 
unspecified points and two occurrences of turtle shell. 60 additional 
associated funerary objects are currently missing from the collections.
    Stanfield-Worley, 1Ct125 is known for its stratigraphically 
isolated Late Paleoindian and Early Archaic zone. The report notes that 
all burials were found in higher strata. Based on the funerary objects, 
Burials 6, 8, and 11 can be assigned to the Middle Archaic, Morrow 
Mountain horizon. Burial 1 contained sherds of Wright Check Stamped, 
dating to the Middle Woodland. Burials 7 and 9 are described generally 
as Shell-Mound Archaic. The mortuary practices exhibited at this site 
are consistent with known aboriginal practices.
    In 1962, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual was 
removed from the Felton site, 1Ct129 in Colbert County, AL (HRID 3763). 
The site was excavated by the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 
under contract with the Archaeological Research Association of Alabama, 
Inc., Birmingham, AL, as part of the investigation of several sites in 
the Mud Creek and Town Creek watershed in northwestern AL. The Felton 
site was marked by scattered flint chips and pottery sherds in a 
pasture overlooking the flood plain of Town Creek, 30 feet above the 
creek level and 300 feet to the west. When three short test trenches 
showed the site to be shallow and unstratified the excavations were 
terminated. Burial 2 contains human remains of a young adult of 
indeterminate sex, 18-25 years of age. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    There is no documentation for this burial. The only available 
information is what is written on the bag. Whether this is accurate is 
indeterminate. Osteological analysis suggests that the human remains 
are Native American. Diagnostic artifacts from the site span the time 
from Early Archaic (Kirk Corner Notched) to Mississippian (undecorated 
shell tempered sherds). Sherds of every temper group in the region are 
present in small numbers. The most extensive occupation on the site is 
from the Shell Mound Archaic. Although the six features excavated are 
believed to date from this time, the antiquity of the human remains is 
unknown.
    In 1962, human remains representing, at minimum, 20 individuals 
were removed from the Fennel site, 1Ct130 in Colbert County, AL (HRID 
3764-3777, 4081). The site was excavated by the University of Alabama, 
Tuscaloosa, AL, under contract with the Archaeological Research 
Association of Alabama, Inc., Birmingham, AL, as part of the 
investigation of several sites in the Mud Creek and Town Creek 
watershed in northwestern AL. A total of 15 burials were excavated, and 
human remains are present in each of them. The human remains of 
infants, children, adolescents, and adults of both sexes are present. 
No known individuals were identified. The four associated funerary 
objects are one mussel shell with pigment, one lot of beads, the one 
sandstone vessel fragment, and the one limestone slab. 17 additional 
associated funerary objects are currently missing from the collections.
    Of the recovered burials, only Burials 5 and 7 contained artifacts 
indicative of any temporal association. A fragmentary sandstone vessel 
in Burial 5, and a Mulberry Creek point in Burial 7 were classified as 
Shell Mound Archaic. The other burials cannot be classified as 
exclusively Archaic or Woodland as no burial pit or any other feature 
contained pottery sherds. The mortuary practices exhibited at this site 
are consistent with known aboriginal practices. Diagnostic artifacts 
from the site span the time from Late Paleoindian (Dalton) to 
Mississippian (undecorated shell tempered sherds). Two sherds were 
assigned to the Protohistoric to historic McKee Island series. Sherds 
of every temper group in the region are present. The most extensive 
occupation on the site is from the Shell Mound Archaic. This evidence, 
plus the absence of ceramics in the burials and features, most likely 
date these burials to the Shell Mound Archaic.
    In 1993, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from Site 1Cu157 in Cullman County, AL (HRID 4075). The 
human remains were excavated from a bluff shelter by Mr. Hugh O'Rear, 
who was digging in the bluff shelter in search of a cave entrance. Mr. 
O'Rear later contacted the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL. An 
archeologist from the University visited the shelter and recorded the 
site in August 1993. At that time, a small collection of material, 
including human remains, was turned over to the archeologist. The human 
remains represent one adult of indeterminate sex. No known individuals 
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    No systematic investigation of Site 1Cu157 has been made. The 
donated collection contains a small amount of lithic and ceramic 
material, some of which dates to Middle Woodland times. Osteological 
analysis does not suggest the human remains are other than

[[Page 38042]]

Native American. The antiquity of the human remains, however, is 
unknown.
    In 1993, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from Site 1Cu158 in Cullman County, AL (HRID 4074). The 
human remains were excavated from a bluff shelter by Mr. Hugh O'Rear, 
who was digging in the bluff shelter in search of a cave entrance. Mr. 
O'Rear later contacted the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL. An 
archeologist from the University visited the shelter and recorded the 
site in August 1993. At that time a small collection containing human 
remains was turned over to the archeologist. The human remains 
represent one adult female approximately 18-25 years old. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    No systematic investigation of Site 1Cu158 has been made. No 
temporally diagnostic artifacts are in the donated materials. 
Osteological analysis does not suggest the human remains are other than 
Native American. The antiquity of the human remains, however, is 
unknown.
    In 1936, human remains representing, at minimum, 70 individuals 
were removed from Little Bear Cave, Site 1Fr1 in Franklin County, AL 
(HRID 3863-3886). The only documentation on file for Little Bear Cave 
is a site form dated Feb. 10, 1936. The site form notes that the cave 
was discovered by Mr. W.A. Barksdale, who was looking for places to set 
traps. Mr. Barksdale excavated the site on Jan. 15, 1936, recovering 
``10 skulls.'' The cave was visited by archeologists from the 
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, in Feb. 1936. They collected 
material including skeletons, two pottery vessels, and other artifacts. 
One bag of human remains is labeled Burial 10. The other bags are 
marked SK A to SK T, but most bags contain elements of multiple 
individuals. There is one bag of miscellaneous human remains. The 
material includes a fetus, infants, children, adolescents, and adults 
of both sexes. No known individuals were identified. The two pottery 
vessels are currently missing from the collections.
    The mortuary practices exhibited at this site are consistent with 
known aboriginal practices. Given the lack of documentation, the 
antiquity of these human remains is unknown.
    In 1968 and 1969, human remains representing, at minimum, four 
individuals were removed from Rollins Bluff Shelter, Site 1Fr323, in 
Franklin County, AL (HRID 3734-3737). The site was excavated by the 
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, under contract with the 
Archaeological Research Association of Alabama, Inc., Birmingham, AL. 
The site was one of a number of bluff shelters excavated across 
northern Alabama in a search for a stratified site containing evidence 
of Paleoindian occupation. The four individuals include one adolescent 
and three adults. One adult is probably female. No known individuals 
were identified. Seven associated funerary objects from Burial 1 are 
currently missing from the collections.
    Site 1Fr323 was a deep, stratified site. The lower zones contained 
artifacts dating from the Late Paleoindian and Early Archaic. The upper 
zone contained a small number of ceramics. There was no indication of 
Mississippian occupation. The four burials at Site 1Fr323 were located 
at depths of 2 feet to 3 feet, corresponding in general to Zone C from 
the Archaic stage. The mortuary practices exhibited at this site are 
consistent with known aboriginal practices.
    In 1961 and 1962, human remains representing, at minimum, 11 
individuals were removed from the Klein site, 1Fr331, in Franklin 
County, AL (HRID 3727-3733). The site was excavated by the University 
of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, under contract with the Archaeological 
Research Association of Alabama, Inc., Birmingham, AL, as part of the 
investigation of several sites in the Mud Creek and Town Creek 
watershed in northwestern Alabama. The human remains include an infant, 
a child, and adults of both sexes. No known individuals were 
identified. Four associated funerary objects are currently missing from 
the collection.
    The mortuary practices exhibited at this site are consistent with 
known aboriginal practices. The Klein site was a multicomponent site 
dating from the Late Paleoindian to the Late Woodland. About 90 percent 
of the ceramics were found on the surface of the site. Occupational 
evidence was confined to the plowzone and a 1.5-2.0 foot thick 
underlying midden with shells. Burials were located within and just 
below the plowzone. No ceramics were found in the burial pits. Also, 
most of the temporally diagnostic artifacts in the upper midden levels 
dated to the Middle to Late Archaic. This suggests a general Middle to 
Late Archaic age for the human remains.
    In 1940, human remains representing, at minimum, 21 individuals 
were removed from San Souci Cave, Site 1Mg61, in Morgan County, AL 
(HRID 729-741, 4693). The site was excavated by the University of 
Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, using WPA-era labor. Excavations at that time 
focused on sites to be inundated by reservoirs along the Tennessee 
River, but San Souci Cave was a so-called ``accommodation'' site during 
periods of inclement weather. In addition, the University was 
interested in investigating caves and mounds possibly associated with 
the Middle Woodland, Copena mortuary complex. The human remains 
represent children, adolescents, and adults of both sexes. They come 
from 14 burials and the general excavations. No known individuals were 
identified. The 12 associated funerary objects are nine antler drifts, 
one bar gorget, one beaver incisor, and one mussel shell. 17 additional 
associated funerary objects are currently missing from the collection.
    There is no report for this site. The mortuary practices exhibited 
at this site are consistent with known aboriginal practices. The site 
form notes ceramics from every time period. Some sherds were classified 
as McKee Island types, which date from the Protohistoric to Historic 
periods. Sandstone vessel sherds indicate a late pre-ceramic 
occupation. A 1942 summary of the investigations list a ``Pre-pottery 
(?)'' occupation. The burials are described as fully flexed or seated, 
indicating an Archaic or Woodland age.
    In 1940, human remains representing, at minimum, nine individuals 
were removed from the Leeman Mound, 1Mg62, in Morgan County, AL (HRID 
570-577). The site was excavated by the University of Alabama, 
Tuscaloosa, AL, using WPA-era labor. The excavations were part of a 
program of investigating caves and mounds associated with the Middle 
Woodland, Copena mortuary complex. The excavations took place in 
several counties bordering the Tennessee River in northeastern AL. The 
human remains come from seven burials and the general excavations. The 
human remains include one child, one adolescent, and seven adults. One 
adult could be identified as male. The seven associated funerary 
objects are five greenstone celts, one greenstone spade, and one marine 
shell cup. One additional associated funerary object is currently 
missing from the collection.
    The Leeman Mound was a Middle Woodland, Copena burial mound. Copena 
is named for COPper and galENA, two nonlocal materials often found as 
funerary objects. Copena dates from 300 B.C. to A.D. 400. The mortuary 
practices exhibited at this site are consistent with known Copena 
practices.
    In 1940, human remains representing, at minimum, 216 individuals 
were removed from Robinson Mound, 1Mg63, in Morgan County, AL. The site 
was excavated by the University of Alabama,

[[Page 38043]]

Tuscaloosa, AL, using WPA-era labor. The excavations were part of a 
program of investigating caves and mounds associated with the Middle 
Woodland, Copena mortuary complex. The excavations took place in 
several counties bordering the Tennessee River in northeastern Alabama. 
The human remains come from 94 burials and the general excavations or 
disturbed soil. The human remains include a fetus, infants, children, 
adolescents, and adults of both sexes. No known individuals were 
identified. The five associated funerary objects are three greenstone 
spades and two greenstone celts. 178 additional associated funerary 
objects are currently missing from the collection.
    The Robinson Mound was a Middle Woodland, Copena burial mound. The 
mortuary practices exhibited at this site are consistent with known 
Copena practices.
    In 1992, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual was 
removed from Site 1Mg356, an unnamed bluff shelter in Morgan County, 
AL. The site was extensively excavated by local individuals, and the 
University of Alabama was contacted by the landowner, whose grandson 
had found human remains at the site. An archeologist from the 
University retrieved the human remains and recorded the site. The human 
remains belong to a female, approximately 17-25 years old. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    Although there is little information about the association of these 
human remains, their location in a bluff shelter along with evidence of 
prehistoric occupation is consistent with known aboriginal mortuary 
practices. There is nothing in the osteological information 
inconsistent with this assignment.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, 16 
individuals were removed from an unknown site or sites. The human 
remains were in three bags marked ``WA,'' which is the designation for 
Walker County, AL. There is some evidence these human remains come from 
Site 1Wa1. The human remains represent infants, children, adolescents, 
and adults. Two males and two females were identified. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    There are no osteological indications that these human remains are 
not Native American. Site 1Wa1 exhibits evidence of prehistoric 
utilization.

Determinations Made by the University of Alabama Museums

    Officials of the University of Alabama Museums have determined 
that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice are Native American based on their origination within 
Native American archeological sites, and/or their antiquity, the 
mortuary practices evident, and the absence of any evidence of any 
alternate assignment.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 408 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 32 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 judgements 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; Poarch Band of Creeks (previously listed as the 
Poarch Band of Creek Indians of Alabama; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; 
Thloplocco Tribal Town; and the 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 and funerary objects were 
removed is the aboriginal land of The Chickasaw Nation.
     Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the disposition of human 
remains may be to the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee 
Indians; Poarch Band of Creeks (previously listed as the Poarch Band of 
Creek Indians of Alabama; The Chickasaw Nation; The Muscogee (Creek) 
Nation; Thloplocco Tribal Town; and the United Keetoowah Band of 
Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, hereafter referred to as ``The Aboriginal 
Land Tribes.''

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 and associated 
funerary objects should submit a written request with information in 
support of the request to Dr. William Bomar, Executive Director, 
University of Alabama Museums, 121 Smith Hall, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, 
telephone (205) 348-7550, email [email protected], by September 4, 2019. 
After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, 
transfer of control of the human remains to The Aboriginal Land Tribes 
may proceed.
    The University of Alabama Museums is responsible for notifying The 
Consulted Tribes and The Aboriginal Land Tribes that this notice has 
been published.

    Dated: July 16, 2019.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2019-16685 Filed 8-2-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P