[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 157 (Friday, August 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43719-43720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21888]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
from Fresno and Madera Counties, 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 Central Valley and Mountain Reinterment 
Association on behalf of Big Sandy Rancheria of Mono Indians, Picayune 
Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, Table Mountain Rancheria, Northfork 
Rancheria of Mono Indians, and Cold Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians.
    In 1969, human remains representing one individual were donated to 
Fresno

[[Page 43720]]

State College (now California State University-Fresno) by Mr. Charles 
M. Chapman, who uncovered the human remains during construction of a 
patio on his house in Oakhurst, CA. No known individual was identified. 
No associated funerary objects were present.
    This individual has been identified as Native American based on the 
cultural material recovered during Mr. Chapman's patio construction. 
The cultural material, a small arrow point and several steatite bowl 
sherds, has been identified as being from the late precontact period 
based on appearance and construction. 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 shared use of this 
area since the late precontact period by both Yokuts and Mono peoples.
    In 1970, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from an eroding road cut at site CA-MAD-250 by Fresno State College 
staff. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    This individual has been identified as Native American from the 
late precontact period based on cultural material recovered from the 
site. Archeological evidence based on materical culture of this area 
indicates continuity of occupation since precontact times into the 
historic period. Historic documents, ethnographic accounts and oral 
histories further document Yokuts and Mono occupation of this area.
    In 1970 and 1971, human remains representing two individuals were 
recovered from site CA-FRE-515 during archeological field classes 
conducted by Fresno State College. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on the degree of preservation and material culture from the 
midden component of the site, these human remains have been determined 
to be Native American dating from the late precontact period (post-1500 
A.D.). Archeological evidence based on materical culture of this area 
indicates continuity of occupation since precontact times into the 
historic period. Historic documents, ethnographic accounts and oral 
histories further document Yokuts and Mono occupation of this area.
    In 1974, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from site CA-FRE-645 by Fresno State College staff during legally 
authorized test excavations. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    CA-FRE-645 has been identified as a large habitation site with two 
components, one dating earlier than 1000 A.D. and the other after 1000 
A.D. based on artifact assemblages. This individual has been identified 
as Native American based on cultural material and the location of the 
remains in the midden site. Based on the degree of preservation and the 
cultural material, these human remains are presumed to be from the late 
precontact period (post-1500 A.D.). Archeological evidence indicates a 
continuity of material culture from precontact times into the historic 
period. Historic documents, ethnographic accounts and oral histories 
further indicate occupation and shared use of this area since the late 
precontact period by both Yokuts and Mono peoples.
    In 1975, human remains representing approximately two individuals 
were recovered from site CA-FRE-644 during excavations conducted by 
California State University-Fresno staff. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    CA-FRE-644 has been identified as a habitation site with two 
components; traces of an early occupation, and a proto- to early 
historic period component based on cultural material of the site. The 
human remains appear to be associated with the principal proto- to 
early historic component of this site. Archeological evidence, based on 
material culture, indicates Yokuts and Mono affiliation. Ethnographic 
evidence and oral tradition presented by tribal representatives further 
indicate Yokuts and Mono affiliation to occupation sites in this area 
in the proto- and early historic periods.
    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 approximately seven 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 Central Valley and Mountain Reinterment 
Association on behalf of Big Sandy Rancheria of Mono Indians, Picayune 
Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, Table Mountain Rancheria, Northfork 
Rancheria of Mono Indians, and Cold Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Central Valley and 
Mountain Reinterment Association on behalf of Big Sandy Rancheria of 
Mono Indians, Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, Table Mountain 
Rancheria, Northfork Rancheria of Mono Indians, and Cold Springs 
Rancheria of Mono Indians. 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 Central 
Valley and Mountain Reinterment Association on behalf of Big Sandy 
Rancheria of Mono Indians, Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, 
Table Mountain Rancheria, Northfork Rancheria of Mono Indians, and Cold 
Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians 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. 98-21888 Filed 8-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F