[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 77910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31660]


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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 Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma; 
and the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana.
    In 1937, human remains representing one individual were removed 
from the Glenn McCullogh Place (``the Burial Ground'') (22LE011), Lee 
County, MS, by Moreau B. Chambers. Mr. Chambers donated these human 
remains to the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science the 
same month. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    Recent archeological research, including a review of the site 
records and the artifact assemblage, suggests that Site 22LE011 was the 
site of the short-lived Chickasaw village of ``Etoukouma,'' inhabited 
during the early 1700's. The burial, presumably, dates to this 
occupation.
    In 1937, human remains representing one individual were removed 
from the Alston Place Site (22LE014), Lee County, MS, by Moreau B. 
Chambers. Mr. Chambers donated these human remains to the Louisiana 
State University Museum of Natural Science the same year. No known 
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. 
Unassociated funerary objects from the Alston Place Site in the 
Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science also were removed 
during these excavations.
    The Alston Place Site is a fortified habitation site. Archeological 
evidence dates the latest occupation to the 18th century. The site has 
been identified both as an unnamed Chickasaw village and as the Natchez 
village of ``Falatchao.'' Falatchao was established after the Natchez 
fled their lands following defeat by the French in 1729. 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 two 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(e), there is a 
relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonabley traced 
between these Native American human remains and the Chickasaw Nation, 
Oklahoma; and the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Chickasaw Nation, 
Oklahoma; and the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana. Representatives of any 
other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated 
with these human remains 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 these human remains to the Chickasaw 
Nation, Oklahoma; and 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. 00-31660 Filed 12-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F-M