[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 157 (Friday, August 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 43719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21887]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
from Fresno and King Counties, CA in the Possession of 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 from Fresno and King 
Counties, CA in the possession of 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 Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa 
Rancheria.
    In 1950 and 1963, human remains representing seven individuals were 
recovered from sites CA-FRE-511 and CA-FRE-531, Fresno County, CA 
during excavations by the Fresno State College Archaeological Field 
Class under the supervision of Dr. William Beatty. No known individuals 
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on the material culture recovered, sites CA-FRE-511 and CA-
FRE-531 have been identified as village locations atop low mounds in 
the Fresno Slough dating to the late precontact period (post-1500 
A.D.). Based on cultural material and burial locations within the 
villages, these human remains have been determined to be Native 
American. Based on the degree of preservation and cultural material at 
the site, these human remains have been determined to be from the late 
precontact period (post-1500 A.D.). Archeological evidence in this area 
indicates continuity of material culture from precontact times into the 
historic period. Early Yokuts people are presumed to have occupied the 
San Joaquin Valley and Central Sierran Foothills between 1000-500 B.C., 
with continued occupation into the historic period. Historic documents, 
ethnographic accounts, and oral history indicate occupation and use of 
this area since the late precontact period by Tachi Yokuts peoples, now 
represented by Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria.
    In 1972, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from site CA-FRE-745, Fresno County, CA during a field survey by Fresno 
State College staff. No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Based on the material culture recovered at this site, CA-FRE-745 
has been identified as a middle to late precontact site (1500 B.C.-1500 
A.D.). Archeological evidence from this area indicates a continuity of 
material culture from the middle through late precontact times and into 
the historic period. Early Yokuts people are presumed to have occupied 
the San Joaquin Valley and Central Sierran Foothills between 1000-500 
B.C., with continued occupation into the historic period. Historic 
documents, ethnographic accounts, and oral history indicate occupation 
and use of this area since the late precontact period by Tachi Yokuts 
peoples, now represented by Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa 
Rosa Rancheria.
    In 1975, human remains representing nine individuals were recovered 
from site CA-KIN-43 King County, CA during salvage excavations 
conducted by California State University-Fresno staff. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    Based on material culture of this site, CA-KIN-43 has been 
determined to be a mound occupation site dating to the middle and 
possibly late precontact period (1500 B.C.-1500 A.D.). Archeological 
evidence from this area indicates a continuity of material culture from 
the middle through late precontact times and into the historic period. 
Early Yokuts people are presumed to have occupied the San Joaquin 
Valley and Central Sierran Foothills between 1000-500 B.C., with 
continued occupation into the historic period. Historic documents, 
ethnographic accounts, and oral history indicate occupation and use of 
this area since the late precontact period by Tachi Yokuts peoples, now 
represented by Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria.
    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 seventeen individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials 
of the California State University-Fresno have 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 Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa 
Rancheria.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Santa Rosa Indian 
Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria. 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 
Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria may begin after 
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. 98-21887 Filed 8-13-98; 8:45 am]
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