[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 144 (Monday, July 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40372-40373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19788]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects from Shawnee County, KS in the
Possession of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS
AGENCY: National Park Service.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C.
3003 (d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains and
associated funerary objects from Shawnee County, KS in the possession
of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Kansas State
Historical Society (KSHS), Kansas State University, and Wichita State
University professional staff in consultation with representatives of
the Citizen Band of Potawatomi, the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians,
and the Kaw Indian Tribe.
In 1969, human remains representing two individuals were recovered
from site 14SH322 during legally authorized excavations by KSHS for the
proposed Grove Reservoir project. No known individuals were identified.
The 31 associated funerary objects include ceramic sherds, glass beads,
a copper bracelet, a fire steel, a projectile point, and a gunflint.
Site 14SH322 has been identified as precontact Plains Woodland and
historic Native American habitation site based on material culture.
Based on the associated funerary objects and indications of wood
coffins, these individuals have been determined to be Native American,
and the burials date from approximately 1825-1870 A.D. This site is
within the boundaries of the Potawatomi reservation of 1848-1861.
Consultation with representatives of the Citizen Band of Potawatomi,
the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians, and the Kaw Indian Tribe
indicates these burials are likely to be affiliated with the Potawatomi
rather than the Kaw Indian Tribe.
In 1984 and 1992, human remains representing one individual were
recovered from the surface of site 14SH334, a plowed field on the west
edge of Rossville by KSHS archeologists. No known individual was
identified. The associated funerary object is a copper or brass
crucifix.
Site 14SH334 may be associated with the farmstead of the Potawatomi
families Laughton and Laughton-Nadeau dating from 1848 to 1868 based on
historic records pertaining to the Potawatomi reservation located in
Shawnee county during 1848-1861. Several other Potawatomi family
farmsteads were also present in the area, known from both historical
documents and confirmed through archeological evidence. The associated
funerary object, dating from the mid-nineteenth century, is a likely
indicator of Catholic religious affiliation, common for many
Potawatomi. Based on the associated funerary object and likely age of
the burial, this individual is believed to be Native American, and the
historic records for this site indicate this individual was likely
Potawatomi.
In 1880, human remains representing three individuals were donated
to the Kansas State Historical Society by Mr. Joel Lucas. No known
individuals were identified. The three associated funerary objects
include a decoratively carved
[[Page 40373]]
wood handle with a brass tack, one metal hoe blade, and an iron trowel.
Donor information states Mr. Lucas obtained these human remains and
associated funerary objects from ``Indian'' graves located eight miles
northwest of Topeka. This area was within the Potawatomi reservation of
1848-1861. Based on the apparent age and types of associated funerary
objects, the human remains also date from this period.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Kansas
State Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains
of six individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Kansas
State Historical Society have also determined that, pursuant to 25
U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the 34 objects listed 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. Lastly,
officials of the Kansas State Historical Society have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a relationship of shared group
identity which can be reasonably traced between these Native American
human remains and associated funerary objects and the Citizen Band of
Potawatomi and the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Citizen Band of
Potawatomi, the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians, and the Kaw Indian
Tribe. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated
funerary objects should contact Randy Thies, Archeologist, Kansas State
Historical Society, 6425 SW Sixth, Topeka, KS 66606-1099; telephone:
(913) 272-8681, ext. 267, before August 27, 1997. Repatriation of the
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Citizen Band of
Potawatomi and the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians may begin after
that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: July 21, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-19788 Filed 7-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F