[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 4 (Thursday, January 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1028-1030]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-325]


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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 Possession of the Air Force 
Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, CA

AGENCY: National Park Service, DOI.

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 possession of the Air Force Flight Test Center 
(AFFTC), Edwards Air Force Base, CA.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by AFFTC 
professional staff in consultation with representatives of the 
Chemehuevi Indian Tribe of the Chemehuevi Reservation, the San Manuel 
Band of Serrano Mission Indians of the San Manual Reservation, the 
Morongo Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians of the Morongo Reservation, 
and the Colorado River Indian Tribes of the Colorado River Indian 
Reservation.
    SUMMARY: Between 1972 and 1990, human remains representing nine 
individuals were recovered from five archaeological sites on Edwards 
Air Force Base (EAFB). These sites include: CA-LAN-1296 (one possible 
and three probable cremations); CA-KER-2060/H (one cremation and one 
inhumation); CA-KER-2241 (one interment unknown type); CA-LAN-1158 (one 
cremation); and CA-KER-796 (one interment, unknown type). No known 
individuals were identified. Associated funerary objects include three 
projectile points (two arrow points and one dart point), one bone tool, 
18 shell beads, and two modified shell fragments. The ethnohistoric 
information establishing the relationship between these tribes and the 
Native American human remains and associated funerary objects consists 
of ethnographies, language studies, Spanish mission records, oral 
interviews, and other sources (Earle 1997). No unassociated funerary 
objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony were 
identified in the collection.
    In 1972, one human cranial bone fragment representing one 
individual was recovered from the surface during legally authorized 
excavations at the CA-LAN-1296 (AVAS-1; EAFB-1000) site by the Antelope 
Valley Archaeological Society (AVAS)(EAFB Historic Preservation Office 
file 72-A). No consultation was done at the time of the discovery of 
the cranial bone fragment. The cranial bone fragment (ISOCAT 
2181; AVAS 1-38a) appears to have been part of a cremation interment. 
No associated funerary objects were found with the cranial bone 
fragment.
    In 1988, Regional Environmental Consultants (RECON) conducted 
legally authorized test excavations at CA-LAN-1296 and recovered human 
bone representing three individuals (Hector et al. 1988). The first 
individual is represented by 18 unidentified human bone fragments 
(RECON CAT# 163-119a) that were surface collected from a probable 
cremation interment in Unit 12 (Locus E). The artifacts found in 
association with the 18 human bone fragments consist of five Olivella 
sp. shell beads (RECON CAT 163-118, surface) and one Haliotis 
sp. shell fragment (RECON CAT 163-119d, surface). On Edwards 
AFB, Olivella sp. shell beads and Haliotis sp.shell generally date to 
the Gypsum through Late Periods (2000 B.C.-A.D. 1770). The second 
individual is represented by 180 human bone fragments that were surface 
collected from a probable cremation interment in Unit 18 (Locus E). The 
human bone fragments consist of an orbit fragment, distal metacarpal 
fragment (RECON CAT 163-196a), and 178 unidentified bone 
fragments (RECON CAT 163-196b-d). The artifacts found in 
association with the 180 human bone fragments include: one unidentified 
shell fragment (RECON CAT 163-196f, surface); 12 unidentified 
shell beads (RECON CAT 163-197, 0-10 cm); one Humboldt dart 
point (RECON CAT 163-199, 0-10 cm); and one Olivella sp. shell 
bead (RECON CAT 163-201, 10-20 cm). Humboldt dart points and 
Olivella sp. shell beads are diagnostic artifacts of the Gypsum Period 
(2000 B.C--A.D. 500). The third individual is represented by one human 
cranial bone fragment (RECON CAT 163-231a, 10-20 cm). The 
cranial bone fragment was excavated from a probable cremation interment 
in Unit 21 (Locus D). No associated funerary objects were found with 
the cranial bone fragment.
    The estimated date of occupation at the CA-LAN-1296 site is 5000 
B.C.-A.D. 1770 based on the presence of Pinto, Gypsum, Saratoga 
Springs, and Late Period components (Earle et al. 1997a). Native 
Americans were not consulted at the time the human remains were 
recovered from the CA-LAN-1296 site. The human remains were not 
identified as such until they were examined by Dr. Rose Tyson of the 
San Diego Museum of Man during the NAGPRA inventory process. The 
cultural affiliation of the human remains can not be positively 
determined (Campbell et al. 1997). Ethnohistoric information, however, 
indicates that the human remains may be affiliated with one of the five 
tribes (Chemehuevi, Kawaiisu, Kitanemuk, Serrano, or Tataviam) who 
utilized the region in historic times (Earle 1997). This is supported 
by the site's location in the vicinity of historic ``Ap'avutsiviat'' or 
Buckhorn Springs (Earle 1997:59).
    In November 1985, the Base Historic Preservation Officer (BHPO), 
Richard H. Norwood, recovered human bone representing two individuals 
(one cremation; one inhumation) during an emergency investigation at 
site CA-KER-2060/H (EAFB-617)(EAFB Historic

[[Page 1029]]

Preservation Office files 85-041, 85-0). The first survey of the site 
by the BHPO was done in April 1985 prior to the construction of a 
sewage treatment pond (Norwood 1985). The remains were not found at 
that time. During the construction mechanical grading uncovered the 
human bone. The BHPO's emergency investigation of the site involved: 
(1) a surface inspection of ``spoil'' piles; (2) excavation of the 
inhumation with the assistance of Colonel H.P. Riessen, a US Air Force 
Reserve physical anthropologist; and (3) the excavation of seven 1 m x 
1 m test units in different areas of the site. At the time the human 
remains were collected, consultations were conducted with Native 
Americans (Kawaiisu [Lynn Bedabe]) and State and Federal agencies. 
These included the: State of California Native American Heritage 
Commission (Annette Ospital); State of California Office of Historic 
Preservation (Rob Jackson); National Park Service Interagency 
Archeological Services (Holly Dunbar); and National Park Service 
Archeological Assistance Division (Deborah Katz).
    The first individual at the CA-KER-2060/H site is represented by 
239 burned human bone from a cremation interment in Units 1, 5, 6, and 
7. The cremation was discovered in a 4 m-square area approximately 5 m 
west of the inhumation interment described below. The ISOCAT catalog 
numbers for the interment include: two burned femur fragments (1639b); 
46 unidentified bone fragments (1673); 1 unidentified bone fragment 
(1767); two right lower bicuspid fragments (1813, surface); five long 
bone fragments, three cranial bone fragments, and small bone fragments 
(1662, Unit 1, 10-20 cm); 58 unidentified bone fragments and 23 cranial 
bone fragments (including thick parietal bone indicative of 
anemia)(1663, Unit 1, 10-20 cm); one tooth fragment, two mandible 
fragments, seven unidentified bone fragments (1763, 1763a-c, Unit 1, 
20-30 cm); one tooth (1739, Unit 5, 10-20 cm); six tooth fragments 
(including one root and one incisor fragment)(1745, Unit 5, 20-30 cm); 
one unidentified burned bone (1746, Unit 5, 20-30 cm); one bicuspid 
fragment with severe occlusal wear (1748, Unit 5, 30-40 cm); 22 long 
bone fragments, one phalange, and eight cranial bone fragments (1756, 
Unit 6, 20-30 cm); two tooth fragments (including one bicuspid and one 
root) and two bone fragments (1757, Unit 6, 20-30 cm); one burned tooth 
fragment (1664, Unit 7, 10-20 cm); two lower bicuspid fragments (1669, 
Unit 7, 20-30 cm); one extremely worn right lateral mandibular incisor 
(1670, Unit 7, 20-30 cm); left mandibular molar fragments with severe 
occlusal wear (1671, Unit 7, 20-30 cm); and one tooth fragment (1672, 
Unit 7, 20-30 cm). No artifacts were found in association with the 
cremated human bone.
    The cremated human bone was examined by Colonel H.P. Riessen in 
1985 and Dr. Rose Tyson of the San Diego Museum of Man during the 
NAGPRA inventory process. Reissen's analysis found severe wear present 
on the occlusal surfaces of the teeth, but no evidence of caries or 
abscesses (1985:14-16). All sutures on the skull fragments are closed, 
and are characteristic of a more mature individual. The severe occlusal 
wear, closed sutures, and robustness of the bone indicate the 
individual was a 30 or so year old male with possible anemia.
    The second individual at CA-KER-2060/H consists of unburned cranial 
and postcranial bone from an inhumation interment approximately 5 m 
east of the cremation described above (Riessen 1985; Norwood 1985, 
1987). The inhumation did not evidence a burial pit, but it appeared 
that the grave had been dug to the level of the caliche. Riessen 
(1985:3) describes the burial as lying in an extended position, face 
upward with a northwest-southeast orientation; head oriented to the 
northwest. The ISOCAT catalog numbers for the inhumation include: one 
tibia fragment (1639a); post-cranial bone (1640); and rib fragment 
(4279). Three artifacts were found in association with the inhumation, 
and include two Cottonwood Triangular arrow points (ISOCAT 
1481, translucent white chalcedony; ISOCAT 1482, red and white 
chalcedony) and one bone tool (ISOCAT 1483).
    Riessen (1985:13) analyzed the bone from the inhumation in 1985, 
and concluded that the individual was probably a 32 or so year old 
male, 5 foot 7 inches in height, who showed no gross evidence of trauma 
or pathology. At first it was not clear whether the well preserved 
unburned bone in the inhumation represented a Native American or 
Euroamerican burial. The platymeric index of the individual's femur, 
for example, is 84.4, a value close to that of English populations and 
higher than the mean (74) for Native Americans (Riessen 1985:14). Other 
indices such as the index of curvature (1.0) and index of torsion 
(21.45), however, are closer to the mean values for Native American 
populations. Based on this information and associated Cottonwood 
Triangular arrow points, one of which was found in close proximity to 
the individual's left arm, the inhumation appears to be a Native 
American burial dating to the Saratoga Springs or Late Periods (A.D. 
500-1770).
    The estimated date of occupation at the CA-LAN-2060/H site is A.D. 
500-1770. This is primarily based on the presence of the aforementioned 
Cottonwood Triangular arrow points with the inhumation (Earle et al. 
1997a). It is not possible to positively determine the cultural 
affiliation of the human remains (Campbell et al. 1997). Ethnohistoric 
information nevertheless indicates that they are probably affiliated 
with one of the five historically-documented tribes (Chemehuevi, 
Kawaiisu, Kitanemuk, Serrano, or Tataviam) in the region (Earle 1997).
    In 1987, the BHPO surface collected a fossilized human molar or 
premolar crown fragment at the CA-KER-2241 (EAFB-907) site (EAFB 
Historic Preservation Office file 88-A). The discovery of the tooth 
(ISOCAT 2286) occurred during legally authorized a Base-wide 
inventory of paleontologic resources by the San Bernardino County 
Museum (Reynolds 1988:76c, Rochez Ridge paleontological complex). The 
tooth was found in Locus 4 in the proximity of two chert flakes. The 
type of interment that the tooth may have been part of is unknown.
    Due to the lack of diagnostic artifacts, no determination has been 
made on the CA-LAN-2241 site's estimated date of occupation. The 
chronological relationship of the tooth to the site's late Pleistocene 
paleontological finds is unknown. The cultural affiliation of the human 
remains also can not be positively determined (Campbell et al. 1997). 
Ethnohistoric information, however, indicates that the tooth may be 
affiliated with one of the five tribes (Chemehuevi, Kawaiisu, 
Kitanemuk, Serrano, or Tataviam) who were present in the region in 
historic times (Earle 1997).
    In 1988, RECON conducted legally authorized test excavations at the 
CA-LAN-1158 (EAFB-207) site and recovered burned human bone 
representing one cremated individual (EAFB Historic Preservation Office 
file 88-E). Native Americans were not consulted at the time the human 
remains were recovered from the CA-LAN-1158 site. The bone was not 
identified until they were examined by Dr. Rose Tyson of the San Diego 
Museum of Man during the NAGPRA inventory process. The individual is 
represented by a left distal fibula fragment and three probable cranial 
bone fragments (RECON CAT 163-565a). The human bone was 
recovered

[[Page 1030]]

from a cremation interment in Unit 46 (Locus B)(Hector et al. 1988:27).
    The estimated date of occupation at the CA-LAN-1158 site is 2000 
B.C.-A.D. 1770 or the Gypsum through Late Periods. This is based on the 
presence of Cottonwood Triangular arrow points, Olivella sp. shell 
beads, and Haliotis sp. shell elsewhere on the site (Earle et al. 
1997a). The cultural affiliation of the human remains can not be 
positively determined (Campbell et al. 1997). Ethnohistoric 
information, however, indicates that the cremation internment is 
probably affiliated with one of the five tribes (Chemehuevi, Kawaiisu, 
Kitanemuk, Serrano, or Tataviam) who utilized the region in historic 
times (Earle 1997).
    In 1990, the BHPO surface collected one burned human tooth 
representing one individual at the CA-KER-796 (EAFB-199; AVAS-40) site 
(EAFB Historic Preservation Office file 90a-Jud). No Native Americans 
were consulted at the time the tooth was discovered. The tooth was not 
identified as a human remain until it was examined by Dr. Rose Tyson of 
the San Diego Museum of Man during the NAGPRA inventory process. The 
type of interment that the tooth came from is unknown although it may 
have been part of a cremation. The tooth (ISOCAT 4672) is a 
probable canine with severe occlusal wear, exposed pulp cavity, and 
secondary dentine formation. Two small areas of enamel are also visible 
at the root juncture on the lingual and buccal surfaces of the tooth.
    No determination has been made on the estimated date of occupation 
of the CA- KER-796 site. The cultural affiliation of the tooth also can 
not be positively determined (Campbell et al. 1997). Ethnohistoric 
information, however, indicates that the tooth may be affiliated with 
one of the five tribes (Chemehuevi, Kawaiisu, Kitanemuk, Serrano, or 
Tataviam) who utilized the region in historic times (Earle 1997).
    The ethnohistoric information establishing the relationship between 
these tribes and the Native American human remains and associated 
funerary objects consists of ethnographies, language studies, Spanish 
mission records, oral interviews, and other sources (Earle 1997).
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Air 
Force Flight Test Center have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of nine individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Air 
Force Flight Test Center have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (d)(2), the 24 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 Air Force Flight Test Center 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 Chemehuevi Indian Tribe of the 
Chemehuevi Reservation, the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians 
of the San Manual Reservation, the Morongo Band of Cahuilla Mission 
Indians of the Morongo Reservation, and the Colorado River Indian 
Tribes of the Colorado River Indian Reservation.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Chemehuevi Indian 
Tribe of the Chemehuevi Reservation, the San Manuel Band of Serrano 
Mission Indians of the San Manual Reservation, the Morongo Band of 
Cahuilla Mission Indians of the Morongo Reservation, and the Colorado 
River Indian Tribes of the Colorado River Indian Reservation. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact David N. Fuerst or Richard H. Norwood, Air Force 
Flight Test Center Environmental Management (AFFTC/EM) 5 E. Popson 
Avenue, Building 2650A, Edwards AFB, CA 93524-1130; telephone: (805) 
277-6295, before February 8, 1999. Repatriation of the human remains 
and associated funerary objects to the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe of the 
Chemehuevi Reservation, the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians 
of the San Manual Reservation, the Morongo Band of Cahuilla Mission 
Indians of the Morongo Reservation, and the Colorado River Indian 
Tribes of the Colorado River Indian Reservation may begin after that 
date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The National Park Service is not responsible for the contents of or 
determinations within this notice.
Dated: December 8, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 99-325 Filed 1-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F