[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 46663-46664] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-22495] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects from Gambell, AK, in the Control of the Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land Management, Anchorage, AK 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 in the control of the Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land Management, Anchorage, AK. These human remains and associated funerary objects are currently in the possession of the University of Alaska Museum. A detailed assessment of the human remains and associated funerary objects was made by Bureau of Land Management professional staff and University of Alaska Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Native Village of Gambell. Between 1972-1973, human remains representing 53 individuals were recovered by Hans-Georg Bandi during legally authorized excavations near Sekloghyaget (or ``Old Gambell'') site, a nineteenth century habitation section of Gambell, AK, the Troutman Lake site, a 19th century grave site near Gambell, AK, and a 19th century habitation site near modern Gambell, AK. No known individuals were identified. The 142 associated funerary objects include abraders, a blubber scraper, buttons, foreshafts, ground slate tools, a ground slate point, faunal remains, walrus tusks and tusk fragments, chert flakes, pottery sherds, unworked stone, and a winged object. The three sites listed above have been identified as 19th century habitation and cemetery areas at or near the Native Village of Gambell through historical documentation, cultural items found at the sites, and oral history. In 1939, human remains representing four individuals were recovered by Louis Giddings at the Ayveghyaget site, a precontact habitation site near Gambell, AK. No known individuals were identified. Between 1972- 1973, human remains representing three individuals were recovered by Hans-Georg Bandi during legally authorized excavations from the vicinity of the Ayveghyaget site. No known individuals were identified. Three associated funerary objects recovered include ground slate, worked ivory and faunal remains. In 1939, human remains representing three individuals were recovered by Louis Giddings from the Kitngipalak site, a precontact habitation site near Gambell, AK. No known individuals were identified. Between 1972-1973, human remains representing 133 individuals were recovered by Hans-Georg Bandi during legally unauthorized excavations from the Kitngipalak site. No known individuals were identified. The 328 associated funerary objects include ground slate tools, chert flakes, worked ivory, faunal remains, a whetstone, abraders and ulu blades. In 1967, human remains representing 24 individuals were recovered by Hans-Georg Bandi during legally authorized excavations from the vicinity of the Ayveghyaget and Mayaghaaq sites, precontact habitation sites near Gambell, AK. No known individuals were identified. The two associated funerary objects are faunal remains. In 1968, human remains representing one individual were removed from the Pagughileq site, a precontact habitation site on BLM land, and donated to the University of Alaska Museum by a State of Alaska employee in 1985. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Between 1972-1973, human remains representing 36 individuals were recovered by Hans-Georg Bandi during legally authorized excavations from the vicinity of the Mayaghaaq site, a precontact habitation site near Gambell, AK. No known individuals were identified. The 57 associated funerary objects include ivory harpoon heads, faunal remains, ground slate fragments, ulu blades, and ivory fragments. Between 1972-1973, human remains representing seventeen individuals were recovered by Hans-Georg Bandi during legally authorized excavations from the Dovlaqhyaget site, a precontact habitation site near Gambell, AK. No known individuals were identified. The 24 associated funerary objects include worked bone and ivory, faunal remains, ground slate points and a winged object. In 1950, human remains representing eighteen individuals were donated to the University of Alaska Museum by a private individual after being illegally removed from BLM lands in the vicinity of Gambell, AK. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present. In 1962, human remains representing two individuals were recovered from BLM lands during legally authorized excavations in the vicinity of Gambell, AK by Otto Geist. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present. The precontact sites and sites in the vicinity of Gambell, AK listed above have been identified as occupied during the Okvik, Old Bering Sea, and Punuk periods based on site organization, habitation structures, cultural material, and Carbon0914 assays. The Carbon0914 assays and ethnohistorical data indicate these occupations represent a continuity of cultural occupation of St. Lawrence Island from approximately 300 AD to the historically documented epidemic and famine of 1879 AD. The associated funerary objects from the ten sites located at or near Gambell are [[Page 46664]] stylistically and functionally consistent with the Gambell cultural development sequence. Additionally, the present-day Native residents of Gambell are the documented descendants of the survivors of the 1879 epidemic and famine. Oral history evidence provided by representatives of the Native Village of Gambell indicates on-going recognition of the above Gambell grave sites as traditional burial grounds. Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Bureau of Land Management have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of 294 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Bureau of Land Management have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the 556 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 Bureau of Land Management 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 Native Village of Gambell. This notice has been sent to officials of the Native Village of Gambell. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact Dr. Robert E. King, Alaska State NAGPRA Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management, 222 W. 7th Avenue, 1B13, Anchorage, AK 99513-7599; telephone: (907) 271-5510, before [thirty days after publication in the Federal Register]. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Native Village of Gambell may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Dated: August 29, 1996. Francis P. McManamon, Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Chief, Archeology and Ethnography Program. [FR Doc. 96-22495 Filed 9-3-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310097009F