[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 77908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31659]


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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 Louisiana 
State University Museum of Natural Science, Baton Rouge, LA

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 possession of the Louisiana State University 
Museum of Natural Science, Baton Rouge, LA.
    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 Louisiana 
State University Museum of Natural Science professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana.
    In 1929-1930, human remains representing seven individuals were 
removed during excavations conducted at the Fatherland Site (22AD001), 
Adams County, MS, by Moreau B. Chambers. Mr. Chambers donated these 
remains to the Lousiana State University Museum of Natural Science in 
1930. Museum records indicate that these remains were found in Burial 
7, and Burial 13C. No known individuals were identified. The 85 
associated funerary objects are textile fragments, shell fragments, 
wood fragments, trunk parts, and iron nails. One hundred and seven 
unassociated funerary objects also were removed during these 
excavations.
    The Fatherland Site is located on the west side of St. Catherine 
Creek, about three miles south of Natchez, MS. The material culture 
excavated from the Fatherland Site dates to A.D. 1682-1729. Historical 
and archeological evidence demonstrate that the Fatherland Site is the 
Grand Village of the Natchez. This settlement was occupied until 1729, 
when the Natchez lost a war with the French and were forced to flee. 
The majority resided for some time with the Chickasaw, though some 
moved to live with the Upper Creek and the Cherokee. Each of these 
groups were removed with their hosts to Indian Territory in the 19th 
century.
    Based on the archeological, ethnohistorical, and historical 
evidence, the human remains and objects from the Fatherland Site are 
determined to be affiliated with the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana. The 
Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana is the sole remaining Federally 
recognized tribe that share cultural attributes with the late 
prehistoric Delta-Natchezan complex from which both the Natchez and the 
Chitimacha derived. On the basis of linguistic and sociocultural 
evidence, the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana is considered to be the 
most closely related of the Federally recognized Native American 
groups.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, Louisiana State 
University Museum of Natural Science officials 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 Louisiana State University Museum of Natural 
Science also have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 
85 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 Louisiana 
State University Museum of Natural Science 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 Chitimacha Tribe 
of Louisiana.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Chitimacha Tribe of 
Louisiana; the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma; the United Keetoowah Band 
of Cherokee Indians of Oklahoma; the Muskogee Creek; and the Chickasaw 
Nation, 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. Rebecca Saunders, 
Assistant Curator of Anthropology, Louisiana State Museum of Natural 
Science, 119 Foster Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, telephone (225) 578-
6562, before January 12, 2001. Repatriation of the human remains and 
associated funerary objects to the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana may 
begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: November 30, 2000.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources, Stewardship, and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 00-31659 Filed 12-12-00; 8:45 am]
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