[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8971-8972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5266]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Human Remains and Funerary 
Objects in the Possession of Everglades National Park, Homestead, FL

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

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    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 
funerary objects in the possession of the Everglades National Park, 
Homestead, FL.
    A detailed assessment and inventory of the human remains and 
associated objects has been made by National Park Service professional 
staff in consultation with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.
    In 1982, as part of an authorized survey, a single tooth was found 
at a site located on a hammock island in Shark River Slough. 
Archeological and ethnographic information indicates that the island 
was occupied by members of the Miccosukee tribe in the early 20th 
Century. The tooth is believed to have been extracted and disposed of 
in a traditional manner by the Miccosukee man who lived at the site. 
The identity of the individual has not been determined.
    A site located on another hammock island located in the vicinity of 
Broad River was also excavated during the 1982 project. Human remains 
were observed at the site and efforts were made to avoid disturbing 
them. However, during the course of the fieldwork, one tooth 
representing one individual was collected. No known individual was 
identified. The 41 objects found in association with the remain 
include: medicine and wine bottles, a glass pitcher, an earthenware 
jug, a creamware saucer, a padlock, a coral pendant, and several marine 
shells (Busycon and mercenaria). Museum records indicate that a carbide 
lamp and a brass signal lamp were also collected at the site but can 
not be located. Archeological and ethnographic information indicates 
that the Mosquito Island Site was a Miccosukee campsite during the mid-
20th Century.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the National 
Park Service 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 National Park 
Service have determined that the 41 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. 
Further, officials of the National Park Service 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 the human remains and 
funerary object and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Miccosukee Tribe of 
Indians of Florida. Representatives of any other Indian tribe which 
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains or 
funerary objects should contact Richard Ring, Superintendent, 
Everglades National Park, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034, 
telephone (305) 242-7710, before April 5, 1996. Repatriation of the 
human remains and funerary objects to the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians 
of Florida

[[Page 8972]]

may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: February 29, 1996
Francis P. McManamon
Departmental Consulting Archeologist
Chief, Archeological Assistance Division
[FR Doc. 96-5266 Filed 3-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F