[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 209 (Monday, October 28, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 55650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27549]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects from Oklahoma in the Control of the 
Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK

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), 25 U.S.C. 
3003 (d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains and 
associated funerary objects in the control of the Oklahoma Museum of 
Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Oklahoma 
Musum of Natural History and Oklahoma State Archeologist's Office 
professional staff in consultation with representatives of the 
Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma.
    In 1973, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from site Wd-47 by the Oklahoma Archeological Survey and donated to the 
Oklahoma Museum of Natural History the same year by Mr. Ronald Corbyn. 
No known individuals were identified. The approximately 750 associated 
funerary objects include glass bead fragments, conchos, hairpipe beads, 
one button, one earring, shell ornaments, metal points, red paint, 
hair, and backrest fragments.
    In 1972, 135 glass seed beads were recovered from site Cn-34 and 
donated to the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History by the Oklahoma 
Archeological Survey. Accession records indicate these beads were 
discovered with human remains at site Cn-34, which had been destroyed 
by pot hunters. The human remains were not recovered.
    Sites Wd-47 and Cn-34 have been identified as isolated burials 
dating from 1860 to the early 1900s based on funerary objects, and the 
presence and types of of trade goods. The associated funerary objects 
are consistent with known historic Cheyenne burials. Historic documents 
and oral history evidence presented during consultation with 
representatives of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma indicate 
these tribes occupied this region during the nineteenth century.
    Based on the above mentioned information, Oklahoma Museum of 
Natural History officials have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains from site Wd-47 listed above represent the 
physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry. 
Oklahoma Museum of Natural History officials have also determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the approximately 750 objects from 
site Wd-47 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. Oklahoma Museum of Natural History 
officials have further determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 
(3)(B), the 135 objects from site Cn-34 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 and 
are believed, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed 
form a specific burial site of an Native American individual. Lastly, 
Oklahoma Museum of Natural History officials 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 Cheyenne-Arapaho 
Tribes of Oklahoma.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Cheyenne-Arapaho 
Tribes of Oklahoma. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that 
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains 
and associated funerary objects should contact Dr. Michael A. Mares, 
Director, Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, 
1335 Asp Avenue, Norman, OK 73019, telephone (405) 325-4712, before 
November 27, 1996. Repatriation of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects to the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma may begin 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: October 21, 1996
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 96-27549 Filed 10-25-96; 8:45 am]
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