[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 24824-24825] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-11839] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects from Patrick's Point State Park, Humbolt County, CA in the Possession of the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Sacramento, CA AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9, of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects in the possession of the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Sacramento, CA. A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by California Department of Parks and Recreation [[Page 24825]] professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Big Lagoon Rancheria of Smith River Indians, the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria, and the Yurok Tribe of the Yurok Reservation. In 1948, human remains representing one individual were recovered from site CA-HUM-118 during excavations conducted by the Archaeological Research Facility, University of California-Berkeley under the direction of Robert F. Heizer. The resulting collections from site CA- HUM-118 were returned to Patrick's Point State Park in 1949. In 1981, the human remains and associated funerary objects were turned over to local Yurok people for reburial. In 1992, additional human remains from the individual, and funerary objects were found in an artifact tray with DPR's Archaeology Lab. No known individuals were identified. The two associated funerary objects are an olivella bead and a silicate cobble. Based on material culture, site CA-HUM-118 has been identified as a Gunther Pattern (ancestral Yurok) occupation dating from after 1310 A.D. to possibly as late as the 1850s. Archeological evidence indicates Yurok presence in this area since about 1100 A.D. Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the California Department of Parks and Recreation have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the California Department of Parks and Recreation have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the two 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 California Department of Parks and Recreation 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 Big Lagoon Rancheria of Smith River Indians, the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria, and the Yurok Tribe of the Yurok Reservation. This notice has been sent to officials of the Big Lagoon Rancheria of Smith River Indians, the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria, and the Yurok Tribe of the Yurok Reservation. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact Robert M. Wood, NAGPRA Coordinator, California Department of Parks and Recreation, 1416 9th Street, Room 1431, Sacramento, CA 95814; telephone (916) 653-7976; before June 4, 1998. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Big Lagoon Rancheria of Smith River Indians, the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria, and the Yurok Tribe of the Yurok Reservation may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Dated: April 29, 1998. Francis P. McManamon, Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program. [FR Doc. 98-11839 Filed 5-4-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-F