[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 16 (Thursday, January 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 5199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01350]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-11962; 2200-1100-665]
Notice of Inventory Completion: Arkansas State University Museum,
Jonesboro, AR
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Arkansas State University Museum has completed an
inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, in
consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes, and has determined
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a cultural affiliation
between the human remains and associated funerary objects and a
present-day Indian tribe. Representatives of any Indian tribe that
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains and
associated funerary objects may contact the Arkansas State University
Museum. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary
objects to the Indian tribe 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 Arkansas State University Museum at the
address below by February 25, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Dr. Marti Allen, Director, Arkansas State University Museum,
P.O. Box 490, State University, Jonesboro, AR 72467, telephone (870)
972-2074.
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 Arkansas State
University Museum, Jonesboro, AR. The human remains and associated
funerary objects were removed from Marion County, AR.
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 Arkansas
State University Museum and Arkansas Archaeological Survey professional
staff in consultation with representatives of the Quapaw Tribe of
Indians and The Osage Nation.
History and Description of the Remains
Between 1961 and 1962, human remains representing, at minimum, 12
individuals were removed from a cave site on the Deep Valley Ranch, in
Marion County, AR, by Dr. Eugene Wittlake of Arkansas State University.
The remains were subsequently donated to the Arkansas State University
Museum. No known individuals were identified. The 665 associated
funerary objects are 3 Mississippian plain rim sherds; 19 Mississippian
plain body sherds; 130 unworked animal bones; 4 charcoal fragments; 6
wood fragments; 425 small shells; 9 mussel shell fragments; 1 celt; 8
natural lithics; 1 chert core; 2 worked stones; 10 partial projectile
points; 7 projectile points; 3 partial biface lithics; and 37 chert
debitage pieces.
Excavation records indicate that 10 of the individuals were in
single inhumations in quadrant 12, which measured 5 feet by 5 feet. All
the objects found in this quadrant were determined to be associated
funerary objects. Excavation records do not indicate the location of
the burials belonging to the other two individuals. Historical
evidence, material culture, and oral history indicate that this region
is part of the traditional territory of The Osage Nation. The Osage
were semi-nomadic people who lived and hunted in southwestern Missouri,
northwestern Arkansas, southeast Kansas, and northeast Oklahoma. Marion
County, AR, is located on land ceded by the Osage in an 1825 treaty.
Determinations Made by the Arkansas State University Museum
Officials of the Arkansas State University Museum have determined
that:
Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described
above represent the physical remains of a minimum of 12 individuals of
Native American ancestry.
Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 665 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 the associated funerary objects and The
Osage Nation.
Additional Requestors and Disposition
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Dr.
Marti Allen, Director, Arkansas State University Museum, P.O. Box 490,
State University, Jonesboro, AR 72467, telephone (870) 972-2074, before
February 25, 2013. Repatriation of the human remains and associated
funerary objects to The Osage Nation may proceed after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.
The Arkansas State University Museum is responsible for notifying
the Quapaw Tribe of Indians and The Osage Nation that this notice has
been published.
Dated: December 18, 2012.
David Tarler,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2013-01350 Filed 1-23-13; 8:45 am]
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