[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 242 (Thursday, December 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69650-69651]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33449]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
from Yavapai County, AZ in the Control of the Prescott National Forest, 
USDA Forest Service, Prescott, AZ

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 Yavapai County, 
AZ in the control of the Prescott National Forest, USDA Forest Service, 
Prescott, AZ.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Arizona 
State University, Museum of Northern Arizona and USDA Forest Service 
professional staff in consultation with

[[Page 69651]]

representatives of the Camp Verde Yavapai-Apache Indian Community, the 
Havasupai Tribe, the Hopi Tribe, the Hualapai Tribe, the Navajo Nation, 
the Pueblo of Zuni, and the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe.
    Between 1965-1975, human remains representing 21 individuals were 
recovered from four sites (AZ N:04:0002; AZ N:04:0005; AZ N:04:0012; 
and AZ N:04:0017) within the Prescott National Forest during legally 
authorized excavations conducted by Arizona State University. No known 
individuals were identified. The 23 associated funerary objects include 
ceramic fragments; bone and stone tools; burned animal bones; ground 
stone; shell; clay; and a burned corn cob.
    Based on material culture, architecture, and site organization, 
these four sites have been identified as Southern Sinaguan large 
masonry pueblo, a small pueblo, a pithouse village, and a burial ground 
occupied between 900-1400 A.D. Continuities of ethnographic materials, 
technology, and architecture indicate affiliation of Southern Sinaguan 
sites in this portion of central Arizona with historic and present-day 
Puebloan cultures. Oral traditions presented by representatives of the 
Hopi Tribe support cultural affiliation with Southern Sinaguan sites in 
central Arizona.
    In 1985, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from site NA 18494 during legally authorized salvage excavations 
conducted by Dr. Thomas R. Cartledge of Kaibab National Forest 
following disturbance of the burial. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on material culture, site NA 18494 has been identified as a 
Cohonina burial site dating between 700-900 A.D. Continuities of 
ethnographic materials, tecnology, and architecture indicate 
affiliation of Cohonina sites in north central Arizona with the Hopi 
Tribe. Oral traditions presented by representatives of the Hopi Tribe 
support Hopi cultural affiliation with Cohonina sites in this portion 
of Arizona.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the USDA 
Forest Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), 
the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of 22 
individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the USDA Forest 
Service have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 
23 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 USDA 
Forest 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 
associated funerary objects, the Hopi Tribe, and the Yavapai-Prescott 
Indian Tribe. .
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Camp Verde Yavapai-
Apache Indian Community, the Havasupai Tribe, the Hopi Tribe, the 
Hualapai Tribe, the Navajo Nation, the Pueblo of Zuni, and the Yavapai-
Prescott Indian Tribe. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that 
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains 
should contact Dr. Frank E. Wozniak, NAGPRA Coordinator, Southwestern 
Region, USDA Forest Service, 517 Gold Ave. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102; 
telephone: (505) 842-3238, fax: (505) 842-3800, before January 19, 
1999. Repatriation of the human remains to the Hopi Tribe and the 
Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe may begin after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
Dated: December 11, 1998.
Veletta Canouts,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Deputy Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-33449 Filed 12-16-98; 8:45 am]
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