[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 71 (Thursday, April 12, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18977-18978]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8989]


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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 Nevada State 
Museum, Carson City, NV

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 Nevada State Museum, Carson 
City, NV.
    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 Nevada State 
Museum professional staff in consultation with Vernadine McLain, NAGPRA 
coordinator for the Walker River Paiute Tribe of the Walker River 
Reservation, Nevada.
    In the 1970s, human remains representing one individual were 
exposed during earthmoving activities near Schurz, NV. These remains 
were removed by an unidentified Nevada State Museum staff member and 
donated to the museum at the same time. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    The remains have been radiocarbon-dated to 310 years before the 
present time. This date and characteristics of the cranial morphology 
provide the basis for determination of the individual as a Native 
American. Schurz, NV, is within the known historic territory of the 
Walker River Paiute Tribe of the Walker River Reservation, Nevada. Both 
tribal oral history and historic evidence document that this Native 
American group has occupied the Walker Lake area since before the time 
of European contact. On the basis of osteology, date, oral history, and 
historical evidence, these remains are determined to be affiliated with 
the Walker River Paiute Tribe of the Walker River Reservation, Nevada.

[[Page 18978]]

    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Nevada 
State Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the 
human remains listed above represent the physical remains of one 
individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Nevada State 
Museum 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 the Walker River Paiute 
Tribe of the Walker River Reservation, Nevada.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Walker River Paiute 
Tribe of the Walker River Reservation, Nevada. Representatives of any 
other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated 
with these human remains should contact Dr. Alanah Woody, Nevada 
Division of Museums and History NAGPRA Coordinator, 600 North Carson 
Street, Carson City, NV 89701, telephone (775) 687-4810, extension 229, 
before May 14, 2001. Repatriation of the human remains to the Walker 
River Paiute Tribe of the Walker River Reservation, Nevada may begin 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: March 28, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-8989 Filed 4-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F