[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 3, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17731-17732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8175]


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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 Museum of 
Anthropology, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

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 Museum of Anthropology, 
University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO.

[[Page 17732]]

    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 14 
individuals were recovered from the Utz site (site 23SA002), Saline 
County, MO, during excavations conducted by the University of Missouri-
Columbia professional staff, supervised field school students, and 
volunteers of the Missouri Archaeological Society. No known individuals 
were identified. The 132 associated funerary objects are ceramic 
sherds, glass sherds, debitage, metal fragments, 3 copper bracelets, 
projectile points, a bone awl, a groundstone pipe, pieces of hematite, 
a blue glass bead, a piece of quartz, and faunal remains.
    Based on oral tradition, types of associated funerary objects, and 
historical documents, these individuals have been identified as Native 
American. Based on radiocarbon dating, the presence of trade objects, 
and historical documents, the Utz site has been identified as a village 
occupation estimated to date to C.E. 1460-1712. Oral tradition, 
archaeological evidence, and historical documents indicate that the Utz 
site was a village of the Missouria Tribe, and these burial are 
therefore 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 14 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 132 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 also 
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 O'Brien, Director, Museum of Anthropology, 317 Lowry Hall, 
University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, telephone (573) 
882-4421, before May 3, 2001. 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: March 20, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-8175 Filed 4-2-01; 8:45 am]
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