[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 221 (Tuesday, November 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 63945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30680]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
from Nebraska in the Possession of the University of Nebraska State 
Museum, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

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 Nebraska in the 
possession of the University of Nebraska State Museum, University of 
Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by University 
of Nebraska professional staff in consultation with representatives of 
Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma.
    In 1941, human remains representing six individuals were recovered 
from site 25CD7 during excavations at the Wynot Ossuary, Cedar County, 
NE conducted by R.B. Cuming during excavations conducted by the WPA. No 
known individuals were identified. The 16 associated funerary objects 
include an iron knife blade fragment, glass beads, and leather 
fragments.
    Based on the presence of green and red staining and preservation of 
the bone, these burials have been determined to date to the historic 
period. Based on the location and types of associated funerary objects 
present, these individuals have been determined to be Native American. 
Because historic Ponca burials are present in adjacent Knox County, NE, 
these human remains have also been attributed to the Ponca.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing one individual was 
removed from a locality known as ``Devil's Nest'' (Site 25KX0), Knox 
County, NE by person(s) unknown and presented to the University of 
Nebraska. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    Based on copper staining on the bones, anterior wear, and femoral 
abduction suggesting horseback riding, this individual has been 
determined to be Native American from the historic period. Based on the 
presence of historic Ponca cemeteries in Knox County, NE, this 
individual is being affiliated with the Ponca.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the 
University of Nebraska have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of seven individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the 
University of Nebraska have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (d)(2), the 16 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 University of Nebraska 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 Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and the 
Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Ponca Tribe of 
Nebraska and the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma. Representatives of any other 
Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with 
these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact Dr. 
Priscilla Grew, University of Nebraska, 302 Canfield Administration 
Building, Lincoln, NE 68588-0433; telephone: (402) 472-3123, before 
December 17, 1998. Repatriation of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects to the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and the Ponca Tribe of 
Oklahoma may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
    The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations 
within this notice.
Dated: November 5, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-30680 Filed 11-16-98; 8:45 am]
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