[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 157 (Friday, August 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43718-43719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21886]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
from Stanislaus County, CA in the Possession of the California State 
University-Fresno, Fresno, CA

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), 43 CFR 10.9, 
of the completion of an inventory of human remains in the possession of 
the California State University-Fresno, Fresno, CA.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by California 
State University-Fresno professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians of the Tuolumne 
Rancheria of California.
    In 1969, human remains representing four individuals were recovered 
from site CA-STA-141 (Fresno State Catalog 69-17) during excavations 
conducted by Fresno State College (now California State University-
Fresno) staff. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Catalog records prepared in 1972 indicate these human remains were 
excavated from the upper levels of the cultural deposit at or near the 
surface. Based on location and degree of preservation, these human 
remains have been determined to be Native American from the late 
precontact period (post-1500 A.D.). Archeological evidence from this 
area indicates a continuity of material culture from precontact times 
into the historic period. Historic documents, ethnographic accounts, 
and oral history further indicate occupation and use of this area since 
the late precontact period by Central Sierra Me-Wuk peoples.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the 
California State University-Fresno have determined that, pursuant to 43 
CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical 
remains of four individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of 
the California State University-Fresno have also determined that, 
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group 
identity which can be reasonably traced between these Native American 
human remains and the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians of the Tuolumne 
Rancheria of California.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Tuolumne Band of Me-
Wuk Indians of the Tuolumne Rancheria of California. Representatives of 
any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated 
with these human remains should contact Professor Roger LaJeunesse, 
Department of Anthropology, California State University-Fresno, 5245 
North Backer Avenue, Fresno, CA 93740-0016; telephone: (209) 278-4900, 
before September 14, 1998. Repatriation of the human remains to the 
Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians of the Tuolumne Rancheria of California 
may begin after

[[Page 43719]]

that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: August 7, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-21886 Filed 8-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F