Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Nashville, TN, 33638-33639 [2023-11011]

Download as PDF 33638 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 24, 2023 / Notices a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after June 23, 2023. If competing requests for repatriation are received, Central Washington University must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects are considered a single request and not competing requests. Central Washington University is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribe identified in this notice. Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9, 10.10, and 10.14. Dated: May 17, 2023. Melanie O’Brien, Manager, National NAGPRA Program. [FR Doc. 2023–11013 Filed 5–23–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–52–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–WASO–NAGPRA–NPS0035906; PPWOCRADN0–PCU00RP14.R50000] Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Nashville, TN National Park Service, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC–DOA) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice. The cultural items were removed from Madison, Obion, and Perry Counties, TN. DATES: Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on or after June 23, 2023. ADDRESSES: Phillip R. Hodge, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology, 1216 Foster Avenue, Cole Building #3, Nashville, TN 37243, telephone (615) 626–2025, email Phil.Hodge@tn.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published as part of the National Park Service’s administrative ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:38 May 23, 2023 Jkt 259001 responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the TDEC–DOA. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. Additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or related records held by the TDEC–DOA. Description In 1963, 1981, and 1983, archeologists with the TDEC–DOA removed 68 cultural items from site 40MD1 in Madison County, TN. The 68 unassociated funerary object include 46 lots of fragmentary artifacts from burial fill consisting of copper, fiber matting, fibrous material, unidentified organic material, cane-impressed clay and daub, charcoal samples, burned wood, unidentified bones, lithic debitage, burned sandstone, siltstone, fire cracked rock, mica, faunal bones, and shells; 12 lots of fragmentary artifacts from features interpreted to be cremations consisting of lithic debitage, sandstone, quartz crystal flakes, mica, ceramic sherds, unidentifiable bones and charcoal; four lots consisting of lithic debitage, chipped stone tool fragments, sandstone, quartz crystal flakes, mica, ceramic sherds, unidentifiable bones, charcoal, and soil fragments with impressed cane matting; one lot consisting of burned sandstone; one lot consisting of pearl and shell beads from Mound 6; two lots of fragmentary artifacts from features interpreted to be cremations consisting of unidentifiable bone fragments and stone from Mound 12; one lot of fragmentary artifacts from burial fill consisting of lithic debitage, burned sandstone, and ceramic sherds; and one lot consisting of charcoal and burned organic material from a cremation feature in Mound 31. In 1985, archeologists with Arrow Enterprises of Bowling Green, KY, working under contract to the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, removed 43 cultural items from site 40OB6 in Obion County, TN. The 43 unassociated funerary objects include eight lots of artifacts from burial fill consisting of lithic debitage, fire cracked rock, sandstone, shell fragments, ceramic sherds, burned clay fragments, and unidentifiable calcined bone fragments; 34 lots of artifacts from general mound fill consisting of lithic debitage, fire cracked rock, fragmentary chipped stone tools, sandstone, pebbles, ceramic sherds, burned clay fragments, charcoal, shells, and faunal bones; and one lot consisting of unprocessed soil samples from mound contexts. PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Between 1972 and 1976, archeologists with then Memphis State University removed eight cultural items from site 40PY207 in Perry County, TN. The eight unassociated funerary objects include one lot consisting of commingled dog skeletal remains belonging to three dogs and seven lots of burial fill consisting of lithic debitage, fragmentary faunal materials, shells, fire cracked rock, daub, and stone. Cultural Affiliation The cultural items in this notice are connected to one or more identifiable earlier groups, tribes, peoples, or cultures. There is a relationship of shared group identity between the identifiable earlier groups, tribes, peoples, or cultures and one or more Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. The following types of information were used to reasonably trace the relationship: geographical and historical. Determinations Pursuant to NAGPRA and its implementing regulations, and after consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, the TDEC–DOA has determined that: • The 119 cultural items 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 and are believed, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from specific burial sites of Native American individuals. • There is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the cultural items and the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; The Chickasaw Nation; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. Requests for Repatriation Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items in this notice must be sent to the Responsible Official identified in ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization. Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after June 23, 2023. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the TDEC–DOA must determine the E:\FR\FM\24MYN1.SGM 24MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 24, 2023 / Notices most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural items are considered a single request and not competing requests. The TDEC–DOA is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes identified in this notice. Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.8, 10.10, and 10.14. Dated: May 17, 2023. Melanie O’Brien, Manager, National NAGPRA Program. [FR Doc. 2023–11011 Filed 5–23–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–52–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–WASO–NAGPRA–NPS0035910; PPWOCRADN0–PCU00RP14.R50000] Notice of Inventory Completion: Appalachian State University, Boone, NC National Park Service, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Appalachian State University has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and has determined that there is no cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and any Indian Tribe. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from Watauga County, NC, and from an unknown site or sites in one or more of the following counties: Ashe County, NC; Avery County, NC; Caldwell County, NC; Watauga County, NC; Wilkes County, NC; Carter County, TN; and Johnson County, TN. DATES: Disposition of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice may occur on or after June 23, 2023. ADDRESSES: Dr. Alice Wright, Associate Professor, Appalachian State University, Department of Anthropology, ASU Box 32016, 322 Anne Belk Hall, Boone, NC 28608, telephone (828) 262–6384, email wrightap2@appstate.edu. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published as part of the National Park Service’s administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of Appalachian State ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:38 May 23, 2023 Jkt 259001 University. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. Additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the inventory or related records held by Appalachian State University. Description In the early 1970s, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed from the Ward site in Watauga County, NC, by Appalachian State University archeologists under the direction of Harvard Ayers. The Ward site is a village that dates between A.D. 1100 and 1300. The grave containing these human remains was found outside the village palisade. These human remains—a complete but poorly preserved skeleton—probably belong to a young adult male. No known individual was identified. The one associated funerary object is a greenstone celt found in the grave fill. In 1968, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed from Church Rockshelter No. 1 in Watauga County, NC. They were excavated by the landowner, who had found them near the surface of the ground and in a flexed position. The stratigraphic placement of these human remains and their relatively good condition suggest they date to the late precontact period (A.D. 1300–1500). These human remains were in the possession of the Appalachian State University biology department before being transferred to the Department of Anthropology, in 1990. The human remains—a nearly complete skeleton— belong to a female approximately 20 years old. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. In 2003, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed from Church Rockshelter No. 1 in Watauga County, NC. They were excavated by Appalachian State University archeologists under the direction of Thomas Whyte from the 1968 excavation spoil pile. The human remains were scattered. Evidently, they had not been seen or recognized as human during the 1968 excavation. The human remains—a partial skeleton— belong to an infant. The infant may have been associated with the adult female removed from Church Rockshelter No. 1 in 1968. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Sometime during the mid-20th century, human remains representing, at minimum, three individuals were PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 33639 removed from an unknown site or sites in one or more of the following counties: Ashe County, NC; Avery County, NC; Caldwell County, NC; Watauga County, NC; Wilkes County, NC; Carter County, TN; and Johnson County, TN. They were acquired by a private collector, and probably were purchased from private collections deriving from these counties. In 1982, these human remains were donated to the Appalachian Cultural Museum of Appalachian State University. In 2006, when the Appalachian Cultural Museum closed, the human remains were transferred to the Appalachian State University Department of Anthropology. The human remains— partial skeletons—belong to three adults. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Aboriginal Land The human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice were removed from known geographic locations. These locations are the aboriginal lands of one or more Indian Tribes. The following information was used to identify the aboriginal land: a treaty. Determinations Pursuant to NAGPRA and its implementing regulations, and after consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes, Appalachian State University has determined that: • The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of six individuals of Native American ancestry. • The one object 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. • No relationship of shared group identity can be reasonably traced between the human remains and associated funerary objects and any Indian Tribe. • The human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice were removed from the aboriginal land of the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. Requests for Disposition Written requests for disposition of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice must be sent to the Responsible Official identified in ADDRESSES. Requests for disposition may be submitted by: E:\FR\FM\24MYN1.SGM 24MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33638-33639]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11011]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0035906; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Tennessee 
Department of Environment and Conservation, Nashville, TN

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and 
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Tennessee Department of Environment and 
Conservation (TDEC-DOA) intends to repatriate certain cultural items 
that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects and that have 
a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian 
organizations in this notice. The cultural items were removed from 
Madison, Obion, and Perry Counties, TN.

DATES: Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on 
or after June 23, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Phillip R. Hodge, Tennessee Department of Environment and 
Conservation, Division of Archaeology, 1216 Foster Avenue, Cole 
Building #3, Nashville, TN 37243, telephone (615) 626-2025, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published as part of the 
National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. 
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
TDEC-DOA. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations in this notice. Additional information on the 
determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, 
can be found in the summary or related records held by the TDEC-DOA.

Description

    In 1963, 1981, and 1983, archeologists with the TDEC-DOA removed 68 
cultural items from site 40MD1 in Madison County, TN. The 68 
unassociated funerary object include 46 lots of fragmentary artifacts 
from burial fill consisting of copper, fiber matting, fibrous material, 
unidentified organic material, cane-impressed clay and daub, charcoal 
samples, burned wood, unidentified bones, lithic debitage, burned 
sandstone, siltstone, fire cracked rock, mica, faunal bones, and 
shells; 12 lots of fragmentary artifacts from features interpreted to 
be cremations consisting of lithic debitage, sandstone, quartz crystal 
flakes, mica, ceramic sherds, unidentifiable bones and charcoal; four 
lots consisting of lithic debitage, chipped stone tool fragments, 
sandstone, quartz crystal flakes, mica, ceramic sherds, unidentifiable 
bones, charcoal, and soil fragments with impressed cane matting; one 
lot consisting of burned sandstone; one lot consisting of pearl and 
shell beads from Mound 6; two lots of fragmentary artifacts from 
features interpreted to be cremations consisting of unidentifiable bone 
fragments and stone from Mound 12; one lot of fragmentary artifacts 
from burial fill consisting of lithic debitage, burned sandstone, and 
ceramic sherds; and one lot consisting of charcoal and burned organic 
material from a cremation feature in Mound 31.
    In 1985, archeologists with Arrow Enterprises of Bowling Green, KY, 
working under contract to the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, removed 
43 cultural items from site 40OB6 in Obion County, TN. The 43 
unassociated funerary objects include eight lots of artifacts from 
burial fill consisting of lithic debitage, fire cracked rock, 
sandstone, shell fragments, ceramic sherds, burned clay fragments, and 
unidentifiable calcined bone fragments; 34 lots of artifacts from 
general mound fill consisting of lithic debitage, fire cracked rock, 
fragmentary chipped stone tools, sandstone, pebbles, ceramic sherds, 
burned clay fragments, charcoal, shells, and faunal bones; and one lot 
consisting of unprocessed soil samples from mound contexts.
    Between 1972 and 1976, archeologists with then Memphis State 
University removed eight cultural items from site 40PY207 in Perry 
County, TN. The eight unassociated funerary objects include one lot 
consisting of commingled dog skeletal remains belonging to three dogs 
and seven lots of burial fill consisting of lithic debitage, 
fragmentary faunal materials, shells, fire cracked rock, daub, and 
stone.

Cultural Affiliation

    The cultural items in this notice are connected to one or more 
identifiable earlier groups, tribes, peoples, or cultures. There is a 
relationship of shared group identity between the identifiable earlier 
groups, tribes, peoples, or cultures and one or more Indian Tribes or 
Native Hawaiian organizations. The following types of information were 
used to reasonably trace the relationship: geographical and historical.

Determinations

    Pursuant to NAGPRA and its implementing regulations, and after 
consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian 
organizations, the TDEC-DOA has determined that:
     The 119 cultural items 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 and 
are believed, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed 
from specific burial sites of Native American individuals.
     There is a relationship of shared group identity that can 
be reasonably traced between the cultural items and the Cherokee 
Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; The Chickasaw Nation; and the 
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.

Requests for Repatriation

    Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items 
in this notice must be sent to the Responsible Official identified in 
ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be submitted by any lineal 
descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not 
identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the 
evidence, that the requestor is a lineal descendant or a culturally 
affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
    Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor 
may occur on or after June 23, 2023. If competing requests for 
repatriation are received, the TDEC-DOA must determine the

[[Page 33639]]

most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint 
repatriation of the cultural items are considered a single request and 
not competing requests. The TDEC-DOA is responsible for sending a copy 
of this notice to the Indian Tribes identified in this notice.
    Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 
25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.8, 10.10, 
and 10.14.

    Dated: May 17, 2023.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2023-11011 Filed 5-23-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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