[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 15, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35010-35012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14764]
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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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SUMMARY: The Colorado Historical Society has completed an inventory of
human remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with the
appropriate Indian Tribes, and has determined that there is a cultural
affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects
and present-day Indian Tribes. Representatives of any Indian Tribe that
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains and
associated funerary objects may contact the Colorado Historical
Society. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary
objects to the Indian Tribes stated below may occur if no additional
claimants come forward.
DATES: Representatives of any Indian Tribe that believes it has a
cultural affiliation with the human remains and associated funerary
objects should contact the Colorado Historical Society at the address
below by July 15, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Bridget Ambler, Curator of Material Culture, Colorado
Historical Society, 1560 Broadway, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80202,
telephone (303) 866-2303.
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 in the possession/control of the Colorado
Historical Society (History Colorado), Denver, CO. The human remains
and associated funerary objects were removed from Costilla, La Plata,
and Montezuma Counties, CO, and San Juan County, UT.
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 Colorado
Historical Society professional staff in consultation with
representatives of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Navajo Nation, Arizona,
New Mexico & Utah; Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico; Pueblo of Acoma, New
Mexico; Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico; Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico;
Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico; Pueblo of Nambe, New Mexico; Pueblo of
Pojoaque, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa
Clara, New Mexico; Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico; Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo
of Texas; and the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico. The
Kewa Pueblo, New Mexico (formerly the Pueblo of Santo Domingo); Pueblo
of Cochiti, New Mexico; Pueblo of Picuris, New Mexico; Pueblo of San
Felipe, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Ildefonso, New Mexico; Pueblo of
Sandia, New Mexico; Pueblo of Taos, New Mexico; and the Pueblo of Zia,
New Mexico, were invited to consult, but did not send representatives.
[[Page 35011]]
History and Description of the Remains
In July 1990, human remains representing a minimum of 10
individuals were removed from Pock's Garden Site (5MT.10851), in
Montezuma County, CO. The site is located on private property. The
landowner discovered the remains and later notified the Colorado State
Archaeologist. Subsequently, under the direction of Dr. Calvin H.
Jennings, the Colorado State University (CSU) Field School,
investigated and transferred the individuals to CSU, Fort Collins, CO.
In May 2006, Dr. Jason LaBelle of CSU transferred the individuals to
the Colorado Historical Society (identified as Office of Archaeology
and Historic Preservation (OAHP) Case Number 16). No known individuals
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
Osteological analysis by CSU determined that the individuals are of
Native American ancestry. Dr. Jennings documented two kiva depressions,
diagnostic of Ancient Puebloan sites dating from A.D. 750 to A.D. 1300.
From 2004 to 2008, human remains representing a minimum of 15
individuals were removed from the Darkmold Site (5LP.4991), in La Plata
County, CO, by Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO, pursuant to a state
permit and under the direction of Mona Charles, Director of the
Archaeological Field School. The site is located on private property.
In 2009, Fort Lewis College delivered the final set of remains to the
Colorado Historical Society (OAHP Case Number 156). No known
individuals were identified. The four associated funerary objects are
three stone beads and a notched animal bone.
Fort Lewis College conducted an archeological field school at the
Darkmold Site from 1998 to 2008. There are 26 individuals and 111
associated funerary objects also removed from this site that were
affiliated to the 21 present-day Pueblos and reported in a Notice of
Inventory Completion previously published in the Federal Register (69
FR 68162-68169, November 23, 2004). Osteological analysis by the Fort
Lewis College and Paul Sandberg, contract osteologist for the Colorado
Historical Society, determined that the individuals are of Native
American ancestry. Radiocarbon dates for the site returned a date range
of 360 B.C. to A.D. 500, consistent with Basketmaker II chronology.
Multiple Ancient Puebloan sites are present in the site vicinity. The
associated funerary objects and burial context indicate Ancient
Puebloan cultural practices.
In May 2000, human remains representing a minimum of two
individuals were removed from private property (5LP.5748), in La Plata
County, CO, by staff from the Fort Lewis College pursuant to state
permit. They were eroding from a steep cut bank behind the landowner's
garage. In July 2001, they were transferred to the Colorado Historical
Society (OAHP Case Number 163). No known individuals were identified.
One kernel of corn was recovered from the excavation near the
individual, but is not considered an associated funerary object. No
associated funerary objects are present.
Osteological analysis by Fort Lewis College determined that the
individuals are of Native American ancestry. Radiocarbon dates for the
site returned a date range of 170 B.C. to A.D. 230, consistent with
Basketmaker II chronology. Multiple Ancient Puebloan sites are present
in the site vicinity. Burial context is consistent with Ancient
Puebloan cultural practices.
Between 1994 and 2004, human remains representing a minimum of 16
individuals were removed from Mitchell Springs (5MT.10991), in
Montezuma County, CO, by staff from Glendale Community College and the
landowner pursuant to a state permit. The site is located on private
property. All 16 individuals were transferred to the Colorado
Historical Society, with the final transfer occurring in 2008 (OAHP
Case Number 222). No known individuals were identified. The 10
associated funerary objects are partial and complete Black-on-White
ceramic vessels, including three with Piedra and Cortez designs,
diagnostically associated with the Pueblo I and Pueblo II Ancient
Puebloan culture periods.
Osteological analysis by Dr. Linda Smith, Glendale Community
College, and Paul Sandberg, contract osteologist for the Colorado
Historical Society, determined that the individuals are of Native
American ancestry. Ceramic cross-dating indicates a date range from
A.D. 750 to A.D. 1020, consistent with Ancient Puebloan occupations.
Multiple Ancient Puebloan sites are present in the site vicinity. The
associated funerary objects and burial context are consistent with
Ancient Puebloan cultural practices.
In June 2005, human remains representing a minimum of two
individuals were removed from private property (5LP.7853), in La Plata
County, CO. They were discovered by workers during the construction of
a subdivision. OAHP staff investigated the burials and the individuals
were transferred to the Colorado Historical Society in November 2005
(OAHP Case Number 231). No known individuals were identified. The three
associated funerary objects are one lot of ceramic sherds (representing
two decorated Chapin bowls, possibly Rosa Gray) and a third
unidentified vessel.
Osteological analysis by Beth Conour, contract osteologist for the
Colorado Historical Society, determined that the individuals are of
Native American ancestry. Ceramic cross-dating indicates a date range
from A.D. 500-900, consistent with the Basketmaker III/Pueblo I
periods. Multiple Ancient Puebloan sites are present in the site
vicinity. Associated artifacts and burial context are consistent with
Ancient Puebloan cultural practices.
In approximately 1958, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from a location near the Trinchera Ranch, in
Costilla County, CO, by a private citizen. The son of the citizen
transferred them to the Colorado Historical Society in February 2006
(OAHP Case Number 236). No known individual was identified. The 14
associated funerary objects are 1 Mancos Black-on-White bowl, 1 Piedra
Black-on-White pitcher, 1 Black-on-White miniature vessel, 8 pottery
fragments, 1 biface, 1 polishing stone, and 1 sandstone fragment.
Osteological analysis by Paul Sandberg, contract osteologist for
the Colorado Historical Society, determined that the individual is of
Native American ancestry. The ceramics are diagnostically associated
with the Pueblo I and Pueblo II Ancient Puebloan culture periods.
Ceramic cross-dating suggest that the individual lived circa A.D. 750
to A.D. 1020. Ancient Puebloan sites have been documented in the site
vicinity. Associated funerary objects are consistent with Ancient
Puebloan material culture.
In November 2006, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from private property (5MT.8119), in Montezuma
County, CO. The discovery was reported by a tourist and investigated by
OAHP staff. The individual was transferred to the Colorado Historical
Society (OAHP Case Number 242). The site was previously recorded and
excavated in 1983-1984. No known individual was identified. No
associated funerary objects are present, although several artifacts and
architectural features were noted on the surface of the site. They
included flaked stone debitage, fire-cracked rock, metate fragments,
grayware potsherds, Mancos Black-on-White potsherds, and masonry walls.
Ceramic cross-dating and dates reported from the 1983-1984
excavation
[[Page 35012]]
give a date range of A.D. 1050-1125, consistent with Ancient Puebloan
occupations during the Pueblo II period. Multiple Ancient Puebloan
sites are present in the site vicinity. Surface artifacts and
architectural features are consistent with Ancient Puebloan culture.
In October 2006, human remains representing a minimum of seven
individuals were removed from private property (5MR.11739), in
Montezuma County, CO. Fragments of the human remains were discovered
eroding from an arroyo wall on the property of Kelly Place, a privately
owned inn and archeological preserve. OAHP staff investigated the
discovery (OAHP Case Number 243). The remains were transferred to the
Colorado Historical Society in February 2007. No known individuals were
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
Osteological analysis by Dr. Christie Turner determined that the
individuals are of Native American ancestry. Multiple Ancient Puebloan
sites are present in the site vicinity. Surface artifacts and
architectural features are consistent with Ancient Puebloan culture
from Pueblo II-III occupations (A.D. 950-1300).
From approximately 1980 to 1985, human remains representing a
minimum of one individual were removed from private property, in La
Plata County, CO. In 2009, the individual was anonymously left at
Anasazi Heritage Center with a note stating that the husband of the
``donor'' had collected the remains while working during the
construction of a subdivision north of Bayfield, CO. The individual was
transferred to the Colorado Historical Society in May 2010 (OAHP Case
Number 272). No known individual was identified. The six associated
funerary objects are one partial Chapin Black-on-White pitcher, two
partial Chapin Black-on-White bowls, one lot of Chapin grayware sherds,
one scraper, and one river cobble.
Osteological analysis by Cynthia Bradley determined that the
individual is of Native American ancestry. Multiple Ancient Puebloan
sites are present in the site vicinity. Associated funerary objects are
consistent with Ancient Puebloan material culture. Ceramic cross-dating
indicates that the individual may have lived the during Basketmaker
III/Pueblo I periods (A.D. 500-900).
In 1944, human remains representing a minimum of four individuals
were bequeathed to the Colorado Historical Society by James Mellinger
of Longmont, CO. They are reported to have been removed from the Grand
Gulch area of San Juan County, UT (catalog numbers UHR.131/173,
UHR.190, UHR.191, and UHR.192). The individual identified as UHR. 131/
173 was recovered ``on the open plain'' while the other three were
recovered from ``a burial mound.'' No known individuals were
identified. One side-notched projectile point is embedded in one
individual's hip, but is not considered to be an associated funerary
object. The two associated funerary objects are turkey feather blanket
fragments (two of the four individuals are accompanied by these
fragments).
Osteological analysis by Paul Sandberg, contract osteologist for
the Colorado Historical Society, determined that the individuals are of
Native American ancestry. Numerous Basketmaker and Ancient Puebloan
sites dating from 1200 B.C. to A.D.1200/1300 have been documented in
the Grand Gulch area. Turkey feather blankets are consistent with
Basketmaker and Ancient Puebloan populations starting from the
Basketmaker II period. The embedded projectile point is diagnostic of
Basketmaker II occupations in the Grand Gulch area.
Available information indicates there is a traditional association
between the Navajo Nation and the geographical area from where the
individuals reported in this Notice of Inventory Completion were
recovered. However, the preponderance of evidence, including site
architecture, material culture, and continuity of key cultural traits
through time, is associated with Ancient Puebloan occupations of the
southwestern United States from the Basketmaker II period through the
Pueblo III period (from approximately 1000 B.C. to A.D. 1300), and,
thus predates the majority of extant evidence in the area for ancestors
of the present-day Navajo Nation.
Evidence was gathered from Tribal consultations, physical
examination, survey of acquisition history, review of current available
archeological, ethnographic, historical, anthropological and linguistic
literature, and artifact analysis. Therefore, based on geographical,
kinship, biological, archeological, anthropological, linguistic, oral
tradition, folklore, historical and expert opinion, the cultural
affiliation of these human remains and associated funerary objects is
to the Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Kewa Pueblo, New Mexico; 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 Taos, New Mexico; Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico;
Pueblo of Zia, New Mexico; Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas; and the Zuni
Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico (hereinafter referred to as
``The Tribes'').
Determinations Made by the Colorado Historical Society
Officials of the Colorado Historical Society have determined that:
Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described
above represent the physical remains of 59 individuals of Native
American ancestry.
Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 39 objects 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.
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 associated funerary objects and The Tribes.
Additional Requestors and Disposition
Representatives of any other Indian Tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and/or associated
funerary objects should contact Bridget Ambler, Curator of Material
Culture, Colorado Historical Society, 1560 Broadway, Suite 400, Denver,
CO 80202, telephone (303) 866-2303, before July 15, 2011. Repatriation
of the human remains and associated funerary objects to The Tribes may
proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
The Colorado Historical Society is responsible for notifying The
Tribes and the Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah, that this
notice has been published.
Dated: June 9, 2011.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2011-14764 Filed 6-14-11; 8:45 am]
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