[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 5404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2457]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects from the Torribio Site, Sandoval 
County, NM in the Possession of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/
Laboratory of Anthropology, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43CFR 10.9, 
of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated 
funerary objects from Sandoval County, NM in the possession of the 
Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/ Laboratory of Anthropology, Museum 
of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Museum of 
Indian Arts and Culture professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Pueblo of Zia.
    In 1969, human remains representing two individuals were removed 
from the Torribio site (LA 9193) during legally authorized excavations 
conducted by Museum of New Mexico staff during a New Mexico State 
Highway and Transportation Department work project (permitted by the 
National Park Service under the Federal Antiquities Act). No known 
individuals were identified. The seven associated funerary objects 
include ceramic pots, shell beads, and turquoise beads.
    Based on the associated funerary objects and archeological context, 
the Torribio site has been identified as a Pueblo II occupation dating 
between 900-1100 A.D. Further, the Torribio site is located on Pueblo 
of Zia tribal lands, and based on continuity of occupation and oral 
tradition presented by representatives of the Pueblo of Zia, is also 
culturally affiliated with the Pueblo of Zia.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Museum 
of New Mexico have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the 
human remains listed above represent the physical remains of two 
individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Museum of New 
Mexico have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 
seven 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 Museum of 
New Mexico have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), 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 Pueblo of Zia.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Pueblo of Zia. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact Mr. David Hayden or Ms. Sibel Melik, NAGPRA 
staff, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Museum of New Mexico, P.O. 
Box 2087, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2087; telephone: (505) 827-6344, before 
March 4, 1998. Repatriation of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects to the Pueblo of Zia  may begin after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
Dated: January 28, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-2457 Filed 1-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F