[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53098-53100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26418]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Control of the Aztec Ruins 
National Monument, National Park Service, Aztec, NM

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 and associated 
funerary objects in the control of Aztec Ruins National Monument, 
National Park Service, Aztec, NM.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects was made by National Park Service professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, Fort 
Sill Apache Tribe, Fort McDowell Mohave-Apache Indian Community, Hopi 
Tribe, Jicarilla Apache Tribe, Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo 
of Jemez, Pueblo of Laguna, Pueblo of Nambe, Pueblo of Pojoaque, Pueblo 
of San Ildefonso, Pueblo of Taos, Pueblo of Tesuque, Pueblo of Zuni, 
Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Tribe, White Mountain Apache 
Tribe, and Yavapai-Apache Nation. Representatives of the Pueblo of 
Cochiti, Pueblo of Isleta, Pueblo of Picuris, Pueblo of San Felipe, 
Pueblo of San Juan, Pueblo of Sandia, Pueblo of Santa Ana, Pueblo of 
Santa Clara, Pueblo of Santo Domingo, and Pueblo of Zia were invited to 
consult with the park as well but did not attend consultation meetings.

[[Page 53099]]

    In 1927, human remains representing three individuals were loaned 
(later donated) to Aztec Ruins National Monument as part of a larger 
collection belonging to Sherman S. Howe. This collection was made over 
a period of many years beginning in 1881 from the Animas Valley 
adjacent to Aztec Ruins. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Most, if not all, of the artifacts in Mr. Howe's collection date to 
the Pueblo III period (ca. AD 1100-1300) and it is very likely that 
these human remains date to that period as well
    Between 1927 and 1928, human remains representing four individuals 
were collected by Aztec Ruins National Monument Custodian George 
Boundey as a result of clearing rooms in the northwest corner of the 
West Ruin. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary 
objects were recovered.
    These human remains were removed from a part of the West Ruin that 
has been dated, using dendrochronology (tree ring data), to the Pueblo 
II-Pueblo III period (ca. AD 900-1300).
    In 1949, human remains representing two individuals were 
incidentally recovered from the East Ruin site, located within park 
boundaries, during legally authorized stabilization efforts conducted 
by Richard Gordon Vivian. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects were recovered.
    Based on dendrochronology of the East Ruin, these human remains are 
dated to the Pueblo III period (ca. AD 1100-1300).
    In 1953, human remains representing 21 individuals were recovered 
from the Hubbard Mound site, located within park boundaries, during 
legally authorized excavations conducted by Richard Gordon Vivian. No 
known individuals were identified. The 82 associated funerary objects 
include 57 ceramic sherds, 18 faunal skeletal fragments representing 
varying animal species, three projectile points, one Mancos Black-on-
White bowl, one Mesa Verde Whiteware bowl, one Mesa Verde corrugated 
jar, and one flake tool.
    Based on the associated funerary objects, these human remains are 
dated to the Pueblo II-Pueblo III period (ca. AD 900-1300).
    In 1960, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from the Haymie Ranch, private land located a half-mile from the park, 
and donated to the park's collections by Esais Haymie, the land owner. 
No known individual was identified. The seven associated funerary 
objects include four Mesa Verde Black-on-White bowls, Kone Mesa Verde 
Black-on-White mug, one fragment of a McElmo Black-on-White jar, and 
one small corrugated culinary jar.
    Based on the associated funerary objects, the human remains are 
dated to the Pueblo II-Pueblo III period (ca. AD 900-1300).
    In 1987, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from site LA60016 during a legally authorized excavation in conjunction 
to the archeological response portion of the General Management Plan 
for the monument. No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects were recovered.
    Based on evidence of heavy occupation during the Pueblo II-Pueblo 
III period (ca. AD 900 -1300) at other sites located in the area, 
ceramic analysis, and cross dating to the major Aztec Ruins complex, 
these remains most likely date to the Pueblo II-Pueblo III time period 
as well.
    In 1987, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from midden Mound E near East Ruin during the Aztec Mounds Testing 
Project. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects were recovered.
    Testing on fill samples taken from the midden date the remains to 
approximately 800 years ago, or the Pueblo III period (ca. AD 1100-
1300).
    Between 1927 and 1987, human remains representing 44 individuals 
(including two wrapped mummies in fragmented burial costumes) were 
recovered from the West Ruin site, located within park boundaries, 
during legally authorized excavations. No known individuals were 
identified. The 86 associated funerary objects include 67 ceramic 
sherds, seven pieces of cordage, four bone awls, two sets of fragmented 
burial costume and wrapping, one Mancos Black-on-White bowl, one Mesa 
Verde Black-on-White bowl, one feather-wrapped cordage burial bag, one 
bird effigy, one corrugated jar, and one Black-on-White seed jar.
    Based on the associated funerary objects, 16 of these individuals 
have been determined to be from the Pueblo II-Pueblo III period (ca. AD 
900-1300). The human remains representing the remaining 28 individuals 
from this site are dated to the Pueblo III period (ca. AD 1100-1300) on 
the basis of diagnostic utilitarian objects found in proximity of the 
human remains.
    Between 1929 and 1990, human remains representing 38 individuals, 
including one mat-wrapped mummy, were recovered under unknown 
circumstances and accessioned into the park collections. No known 
individuals were identified. The single funerary object consists of one 
burial wrapping.
    Although accession records do not indicate the exact provenience 
information for the various remains, they most likely came from sites 
within and surrounding park boundaries as none of the other collections 
in the park's holdings originated in a distant location. The physical 
state of all of these remains indicates a pre-contact time of 
disposition. Based on evidence of heavy occupation during the Pueblo 
II-Pueblo III period (ca. AD 900 --1300) at other sites located in the 
area, these remains most likely date to that time period as well.
    Prior to 1990, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were recovered from the U House site, 
reported on in 1990 by Peter McKenna. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects were recovered. A box of 
objects labeled as Anasazi was located in storage 
at the monument and are believed to have come from this site as well 
and date the remains to approximately 845 years ago, or the Pueblo III 
period (ca. AD 1100-1300).
    Prior to 1990, human remains representing a minimum of nine 
individuals were recovered from an area known as Oliver's Farm, located 
just outside of park boundaries, under unknown circumstances. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    The physical state of the remains indicates a pre-contact time of 
disposition. Based on the fact that the area around the Monument, as 
well as the Monument itself, were heavily populated during the Pueblo 
II-Pueblo III periods (ca. AD 900-1300), it is likely that these 
remains date to that time period as well
    All except one set of these human remains are currently curated at 
the National Park Service's Western Archeological and Conservation 
Center in Tucson, AZ and Intermountain Cultural Resource Center in 
Santa Fe, NM. In 1992, three associated funerary objects and the one 
set of human remains mentioned above were reburied, but not 
repatriated, by National Park Service staff and representatives of the 
Hopi Tribe. All other associated funerary objects are curated at Aztec 
Ruins National Monument or the Western Archeological and Conservation 
Center.
    The major occupation in and around the Monument has been well 
documented since the beginning of the 20th century in archeological 
sources as

[[Page 53100]]

taking place during the Pueblo II-Pueblo III period (ca. AD 900-1300). 
Information gleaned from consulting Indian tribes during a cultural 
affiliation study conducted for the park indicates that all puebloan 
peoples, except for the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, view the San Juan 
region, which includes Aztec Ruins National Monument, as their 
ancestral homeland.
    Archeological evidence provided by dendrochronology, ceramic 
analysis, and cross dating of diagnostic artifacts indicate that it was 
common for people of the southwest to occupy an area for a generation 
or two, then migrate. Multiple occupations of an area by people 
exhibiting different cultural traits over time also occurred. Oral 
traditions of puebloan peoples support a history of migrations and 
intermingling of southwestern peoples. Archeological evidence provided 
by ceramics, masonry styles, burial practices, and other artifacts 
indicate frequent mixing of and contact with groups of peoples 
prehistorically. Movements of people from one community to another 
often resulted in adaptation and acculturation to the practices of the 
recipient population. Migrations and regroupings of communities 
indicate all pueblo peoples are related to one another, supporting a 
basis for affiliation of all puebloan groups with the Monument.-GI11The 
Navajo Nation asserted a cultural affiliation with the inhabitants of 
Aztec both in the consultations for the cultural affiliation study and 
in independent NPS-sponsored consultation meetings on the basis of oral 
tradition that specifically links the inhabitants of Aztec to the 
origins of particular Navajo clans. According to Navajo oral traditions 
and ethnographic evidence, Aztec Ruins also figures prominently in 
Navajo ceremonies. These oral traditions are widely documented in 
ethnographic literature and in correspondence provided to NPS by the 
Navajo Nation.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the National 
Park Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10 (d)(1), the 
human remains listed above represent the physical remains of 125 
individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the National Park 
Service have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 
176 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 National 
Park Service 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 associated 
funerary objects and the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Acoma, 
Pueblo of Cochiti, Pueblo of Isleta, Pueblo of Jemez, Pueblo of Laguna, 
Pueblo of Nambe, Pueblo of Picuris, Pueblo of Pojoaque, Pueblo of San 
Felipe, Pueblo of San Ildefonso, Pueblo of San Juan, Pueblo of Sandia, 
Pueblo of Santa Ana, Pueblo of Santa Clara, Pueblo of Santo Domingo, 
Pueblo of Tesuque, Pueblo of Taos, Pueblo of Zia, and Pueblo of Zuni.
    In 1955, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
by Harry Treadway under unknown circumstances from an area near 
Gobernador, NM. The remains were donated to the park later that year. 
No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects were 
recovered.
    Gobernador is located approximately 25 miles southeast of the 
monument. The remains were located between two rock walls and were 
placed in an apparent prone position, with face pointed up. Navajo 
occupation in the area of the Gobernador drainage is dated by 
dendrochronological methods to between ca. AD 1540 and the mid-1700s. 
Based on consultation with the Navajo Nation, the Pueblo of Zuni, and 
the local archeologist, this burial style is consistent with Navajo 
burials occurring during that time period. These human remains are 
currently curated at the National Park Service's Western Archeological 
and Conservation Center in Tucson, AZ.
    In addition, the Gobernador area is one extensively referenced in 
Navajo oral history. The method of burial of this individual is 
consistent with a Navajo method of burial that is well documented in 
anthropological literature. Expert opinion offered by both puebloan and 
Navajo consultants indicate a Navajo affiliation with the human remains 
discussed above.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the National 
Park Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10 (d)(1), the 
human remains listed above represent the physical remains of one 
individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the National Park 
Service 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 Navajo 
Nation.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Apache Tribe of 
Oklahoma, Fort Sill Apache Tribe, Fort McDowell Mohave-Apache Indian 
Community, Hopi Tribe, Jicarilla Apache Tribe, Navajo Nation, Pueblo of 
Acoma, Pueblo of Cochiti, Pueblo of Isleta, Pueblo of Jemez, Pueblo of 
Laguna, Pueblo of Nambe, Pueblo of Picuris, Pueblo of Pojoaque, Pueblo 
of San Felipe, Pueblo of San Ildefonso, Pueblo of San Juan, Pueblo of 
Sandia, Pueblo of Santa Ana, Pueblo of Santa Clara, Pueblo of Santo 
Domingo, Pueblo of Taos, Pueblo of Tesuque, Pueblo of Zia, Pueblo of 
Zuni, Southern Ute Tribe, Ute Mountain Tribe, White Mountain Apache 
Tribe, and Yavapai-Apache Nation. Representatives of any other Indian 
tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human 
remains and associated funerary objects should contact Charles B. 
Cooper, Superintendent, Aztec Ruins National Monument, P.O. Box 640, 
Aztec, NM 87410; telephone: (505) 334-6174, before November 2, 1998. 
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects from 
all sites except the Gobernador site to the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, 
Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Cochiti, Pueblo of Isleta, Pueblo of Jemez, 
Pueblo of Laguna, Pueblo of Nambe, Pueblo of Picuris, Pueblo of 
Pojoaque, Pueblo of San Felipe, Pueblo of San Ildefonso, Pueblo of San 
Juan, Pueblo of Sandia, Pueblo of Santa Ana, Pueblo of Santa Clara, 
Pueblo of Santo Domingo, Pueblo of Taos, Pueblo of Tesuque, Pueblo of 
Zia, and Pueblo of Zuni and repatriation of the human remains and 
associated funerary objects from the Gobernador site to the Navajo 
Nation may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
Dated: September 25, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program
[FR Doc. 98-26418 Filed 10-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F