[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 245 (Monday, December 22, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 66881-66882] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-33292] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession of the University Museum, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR AGENCY: National Park Service ACTION: Notice ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3005 (a)(2), of the intent to repatriate cultural items in the possession of the University Museum, University Arkansas which meets the definition of ``unassociated funerary objects'' under Section 2 of the Act. The 981 cultural items were recovered from 37 archeological sites located in the Ouachita Mountains and the West Gulf Coastal Plan of southwestern Arkansas, including the counties of Clark, Dallas, Garland, Howard, Hot Springs, Lafayette, Little River, Logan, Miller, Mississippi, Montgomery, Perry, Scott, Sevier, and Yell. These objects include: animal bones, antlers, antler tools, arrowpoints, an awl, axes, a basket, beads, blades, boatstones, bone tools, celts, clay balls and fragments, corn, earplugs, earspools, knives, leather, lithics, mano, modified stones, pigments, pipes and pipe fragments, projectile points and fragments, quartz crystals, seeds, shell (conch, mussel, terrapin, beads, disks, gorget, fragments), sherds, a skewer, stone artifacts, vessels (bottles, bowls, jars, vases, fragments), and mixed wood and copper pieces. In 1929, 29 cultural items from sites in Garland, Hot Springs, and Yell counties were accessioned into the University Museum collections. The donors are unknown. In 1931, four cultural items from Garland County were recovered during University Museum-sponsored excavations and accessioned into University Museum collections. In 1931, 85 cultural items from Montgomery, Logan, and Garland counties were accessioned into the University Museum collections. The donors are unknown. In 1933, 117 cultural items from Yell and Scott counties were recovered during University Museum-sponsored excavations and accessioned into University Museum collections. In 1934, nine cultural items from Clark County were recovered during University Museum-sponsored excavations and accessioned into University Museum collections. In 1940, 135 cultural items from Hot Springs, Garland, and Lafayette counties were recovered during University Museum-sponsored excavations and accessioned into University Museum collections. In 1947, four cultural items from Perry and Garland counties were purchased from Fain White King by the University Museum. In 1951, two cultural items from Dallas County were recovered during University Museum-sponsored excavations and accessioned into University Museum collections. In 1955, 317 cultural items from Garland, Miller, Lafayette, and Little River counties were purchased from Pete Miroir by the University Museum. In 1960, one cultural item from Scott County was donated by Mrs. J.W. Parks to the University Museum. In 1961, 113 cultural items from Howard County were donated by Dr. Clarence Webb to the University Museum. In 1962, 40 cultural items from Miller County were recovered during University Museum-sponsored excavations and accessioned into University Museum collections. In 1962, nine cultural items from Little River County were recovered during University Museum-sponsored excavations and accessioned into University Museum collections. In 1964, 16 cultural items from Sevier County were recovered during University Museum-sponsored excavations and accessioned into University Museum collections. In 1970, three cultural items from Scott County were recovered during a University field school and accessioned into University Museum collections. In 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, and 1991, 111 cultural items from Miller, Howard, [[Page 66882]] Sevier, and Mississippi Counties were donated to the University Museum by unknown persons. The 37 sites from which the cultural items were recovered are associated with the Fourche Maline culture (500 BC--800 AD) and the Caddoan Culture (800--1600 AD) based on material culture and site organization. Based on tools, ceramics, and manner of interments, these sites show continuity of occupations through these periods. Accession information indicates all 981 cultural items were recovered from burial contexts. Archeological, ethnohistoric, and historical document evidence indicates Caddoan affiliation through tools, ceramics, manner of internments, and recorded language terms and cultural characteristics (1542-1543 AD) are correlated to the sites included in the above counties. Officials of the University of Arkansas have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(B), these 981 cultural items 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 from a specific burial site of an Native American individual. Officials of the University of Arkansas have also 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 items and the Caddo Tribe of Oklahoma. This notice has been sent to officials of the Caddo Tribe of Oklahoma. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these objects should contact Michael P. Hoffman, Curator of Anthropology, University Museum, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, telephone (501) 575- 3855 before January 21, 1998. Repatriation of these objects to the Caddo Tribe of Oklahoma may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Dated: December 15, 1997. Francis P. McManamon, Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program. [FR Doc. 97-33292 Filed 12-19-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-F