[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 93 (Friday, May 13, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28071-28072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11867]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[2253-665]
Notice of Inventory Completion: Colorado Historical Society
(History Colorado), Denver, 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 in the possession and
control of the Colorado Historical Society (History Colorado), Denver,
CO. The human remains were removed from Canyon de Chelly, AZ.
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.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Colorado
Historical Society (History Colorado) professional staff in
consultation with representatives of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Navajo
Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah; Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico (formerly
the Pueblo of San Juan); Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico; Pueblo of
Cochiti, New Mexico; Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico; Pueblo of Jemez, New
Mexico; Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico; Pueblo of Nambe, New Mexico;
Pueblo of Picuris, New Mexico; Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico; Pueblo
of San Ildefonso, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo
of Santa Clara, New Mexico; Pueblo of Taos, New Mexico; Pueblo of
Tesuque, New Mexico; Pueblo of Zia, New Mexico; Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo
of Texas; and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico. The
Pueblo of San Felipe, New Mexico; Pueblo of Sandia, New Mexico; and
Pueblo of Santo Domingo, New Mexico, were contacted for consultation
purposes, but did not attend the consultation meetings.
In 1903, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals
were removed from ``Massacre Cave,'' in Canyon de Chelly, AZ. The
remains were removed from the cave by collector Charles M. Schenck
while on a ``tour'' of Canyon de Chelly led by Charles L. Day, who
operated a nearby trading post. They were donated to the Colorado
Historical Society sometime between 1903 and 1932 (catalog numbers
78.98.47 and UHR.1). No known individuals were identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
``Massacre Cave'' is a site where an historically documented
massacre of at least 90 Navajo men, women, and children took place in
1805, perpetrated by the Spanish military and led by Antonio Narbona.
Victims were reportedly left on the surface of the cave. While
``Massacre Cave'' also has a documented subsurface Basketmaker II/
[[Page 28072]]
III component, based on the description of the collecting trip in a
1932 letter from Schenck to the Colorado Historical Society Curator
George Woodbury, the remains of these two individuals were collected
from the cave's ground surface, and not excavated from subsurface
deposits. Osteological analysis indicates that the human remains are
Native American and show signs of weathering consistent with prolonged
surface exposure.
In 1903, human remains representing a minimum of five individuals
were removed from ``Sentinel Ruin,'' in Canyon de Chelly, AZ, by
Charles M. Schenck while on a ``tour'' of Canyon de Chelly led by
Charles L. Day. The individuals were donated to the Colorado Historical
Society sometime between 1903 and 1932 (catalog numbers UHR.2.A, and
UHR.2.B/UHR.108/UHR.122). UHR.2.A represents two individuals and
UHR.2.B/UHR.108/UHR.122 represents three individuals. No known
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are
present.
``Sentinel Ruin'' is a documented multi-component site with
prehistoric occupations from Basketmaker II to Pueblo III, and an
historic Navajo occupation in the 1700s and 1800s. The surface
component is the historic Navajo component. Schenck collected only from
the surface. Archeological documentation after Schenck's visit
indicates ``Sentinel Ruin'' was undisturbed. Osteological analysis
identified the remains as Native American, and two individuals show
signs of weathering consistent with prolonged surface exposure.
Officials of the Colorado Historical Society have determined,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), that the human remains described above
represent the physical remains of seven individuals of Native American
ancestry. Lastly, officials of the Colorado Historical Society have
determined, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), that there is a relationship
of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the
Native American human remains and the Navajo Nation, Arizona, New
Mexico & Utah.
Representatives of any other Indian Tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Bridget
Ambler, Curator of Material Culture, Colorado Historical Society, 1560
Broadway, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80202, telephone (303) 866-2303, before
June 13, 2011. Repatriation of the human remains to the Navajo Nation,
Arizona, New Mexico & Utah may proceed after that date if no additional
claimants come forward.
The Colorado Historical Society is responsible for notifying the
Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah; Ohkay
Owingeh, New Mexico; Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico; Pueblo of Cochiti,
New Mexico; Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico; Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico;
Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico; Pueblo of Nambe, New Mexico; Pueblo of
Picuris, New Mexico; Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico; Pueblo of San
Felipe, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Ildefonso, New Mexico; Pueblo of
Sandia, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa
Clara, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santo Domingo, New Mexico; Pueblo of Taos,
New Mexico; Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico; Pueblo of Zia, New Mexico;
Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas; and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation,
New Mexico, that this notice has been published.
Dated: May 9, 2011.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2011-11867 Filed 5-12-11; 8:45 am]
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