[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 18, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 44545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-18137]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service.


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects from Saline County, MO in the 
Possession of the Museum of Anthropology, University of Missouri-
Columbia, Columbia, MO

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 from Saline County, MO in the possession of the Museum 
of Anthropology, Department of Anthropology, University of Missouri-
Columbia, Columbia, MO. This notice is published as part of the 
National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 
43 CFR 10.2 (c). The determinations within this notice are the sole 
responsibility of the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has 
control of these Native American human remains and associated funerary 
objects. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations within this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by University 
of Missouri-Columbia professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma; and 
the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma.
    Between 1939-1980, human remains representing a minimum of 114 
individuals were recovered from site 23SA002 (Utz site), Saline County, 
MO during excavations conducted by University of Missouri-Columbia 
professional staff, supervised field school students, and volunteers of 
the Missouri Archaeological Society. No known individuals were 
identified. The 22 associated funerary objects include ceramic sherds, 
canine bones, limestone fragments, debitage, metal fragments, a shell 
gorget, burial soil, a biface, a terrapin carapace, faunal remains, a 
piece of daub, worked antler, and worked shell.
    Based on oral tradition, types of associated funerary objects, and 
historical documents, these individuals have been determined to be 
Native American. Based on radiocarbon dating, presence of trade 
objects, and historical documents, the Utz site has been identified as 
a village occupation estimating to date to approximately A.D. 1460-
1712. Oral tradition, archeological evidence, and historical documents 
indicate the Utz site was a village of the Missouria Tribe and the 
burials are reasonably believed to be culturally affiliated with the 
Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the 
University of Missouri-Columbia have determined that, pursuant to 43 
CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical 
remains of a minimum of 114 individuals of Native American ancestry. 
Officials of the University of Missouri-Columbia also have determined 
that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 22 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 Missouri-Columbia have 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship 
of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between these 
Native American human remains and associated funerary objects and the 
Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma. This notice has been sent to 
officials of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma; and the 
Iowa 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. Michael J. O'Brien, 
Director, Museum of Anthropology, 317 Lowry Hall, University of 
Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, telephone (573) 882-4421, before August 
17, 2000. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects to the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma on behalf of the Otoe-Missouria 
Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.

    Dated: June 22, 2000.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 00-18137 Filed 7-17-00; 8:45 am]
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