[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 82 (Thursday, April 27, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 24714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-10463]


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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 Alaska State 
Office, Bureau of Land Management, Anchorage, AK

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 the Alaska State Office, Bureau of 
Land Management, Anchorage, AK.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Bureau of 
Land Management and University of Alaska Museum professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Native Village of Eagle, AK.
    In 1939, human remains representing one individual were uncovered 
during legally authorized construction of the Civilian Aeronautics 
Administration building in Eagle, AK. No known individual was 
identified. The 115 associated funerary objects include glass beads, 
one dentalium shell, 13 pieces of wood with red color, and one bag of 
wood fragments and particles.
    In 1949, human remains representing one individual were uncovered 
in the same vicinity as the 1939 individual during legally authorized 
collections by Dr. Otto Geist of the University of Alaska Museum. No 
known individual was identified. The 19 associated funerary objects are 
birch bark pieces with lacing holes.
    Both of these individual are curated at the University of Alaska 
Museum.
    Based on skeletal morphology, geographic location, and associated 
artifacts, these two individuals have been identified as Native 
American, affiliated with Han Athabaskan culture and specifically with 
the Native Village of Eagle, AK. This determination of cultural 
affiliation has been based upon the continuity of Native Americans in 
the Eagle area and their oral tradition that the area where the remains 
were found is a traditional burial site.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Bureau 
of Land Management have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of two individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Bureau 
of Land Management have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(2), the 134 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 Bureau of Land Management 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 Native Village of Eagle, Alaska.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Native Village of 
Eagle, Alaska. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and 
associated funerary objects should contact Dr. Robert King, Alaska 
State NAGPRA Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management, 222 W. 7th Avenue, 
#13, Anchorage, AK 99513-7599; telephone: (907) 271-5510, before May 
30, 2000. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects to the Native Village of Eagle, Alaska may begin after that 
date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: April 20, 2000.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and 
Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 00-10463 Filed 4-26-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F