[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14441-14442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7602]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects From the Pine Creek, IA, in the 
Possession of the Putnam Museum of History and Natural Science, 
Davenport, IA

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 
associated funerary objects in the possession of the Putnam Museum of 
History and Natural Science, Davenport, IA.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Putnam 
Museum of History and Natural Science professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Sac and Fox Tribe of the 
Mississippi in Iowa and the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma. 
    Around 1914, human remains representing one individual were 
probably recovered during extensive excavations of Pine Creek Mounds, 
Muscatine County, IA, by Dr. T. Michelson and members of the then 
Davenport Academy of Natural Science (now the Putnam Museum). No known 
individuals were identified. The 135 associated funerary objects 
include one silver gorget fragment, one silver bracelet fragment marked 
``Montreal'', nine silver earbobs, one unidentified iron object bound 
with twisted fibers, one silver cross fragment, one knife blade or 
utensil fragment, two pieces of red ochre, 115 glass beads, two 
gunflints, one wood fragment, and one projectile point.
    Morphological evidence indicates this individual is Native American 
based on tooth formation. Associated funerary objects are consistent 
with Native burials of the early fur trade era in Eastern Iowa. The 
associated funerary objects dated the burial to 1760-1825 AD, based on 
the presence of European trade goods, especially the marked silver 
bracelet and a polychrome oval bead. Since the late nineteenth century, 
the Pine Creek Mounds (site 13MC44) have been excavated by 
representatives of the now Putnam Museum of History and Natural 
Science. The most recent excavations occurred in 1914, conducted by Dr. 
T. Michelson of the Bureau of American Ethnology with members of the 
Davenport Academy of Natural Science. Field notes from the 1914 
excavations indicate that some of the mounds appeared to have intrusive 
burials from the historic period. Due to the primary interest of Dr. 
Michelson in the precontact burials of this site, this burial was not 
specifically recorded, however, this individual and associated funerary 
objects have been curated together in the Pine Creek collections of the 
Putnam Museum since 1914. Historical documents and ethnographic 
evidence indicates there were numerous traditional sites, hunting 
camps, and village settlements of both the Ioway and the Sac and Fox in 
the Pine Creek area from 1750 to the early 19th century.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Putnam 
Museum of History and Natural Science 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 Putnam Museum of History and Natural Science have also 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the 135 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 Putnam Museum of 
History and Natural Science 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 Sac and Fox of the Mississippi in 
Iowa, the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri, the Sac and Fox Nation of 
Oklahoma, and the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Sac and Fox of the 
Mississippi in Iowa, the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri, the Sac and 
Fox Nation of Oklahoma, and the Iowa Tribe 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 Chris Lyons, NAGPRA Representative, Putnam Museum of 
History and Natural Science, 1717 W. 12th St., Davenport, IA 52804; 
telephone: (319) 324-1934 before April 25, 1997. Repatriation of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Iowa Tribe of 
Oklahoma may

[[Page 14442]]

begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: March 17, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-7602 Filed 3-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F