[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 93 (Monday, May 14, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 24399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-12018]


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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 Kansas State 
Historical Society, Topeka, KS

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 Kansas State Historical 
Society, Topeka, KS.
    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 Kansas State 
Historical Society professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma.
    In 1975, human remains representing four individuals were donated 
to the Kansas State Historical Society by Jerry Bobey who reportedly 
excavated these human remains from a low rock-filled earthen mound at 
the Bobey site, 14RP325, on a bluff above Salt Creek in Republic 
County, KS. No known individuals were identified. The 68 associated 
funerary objects are pottery shards, a pipebowl section, chipped stone 
tools and debris, and 12 pieces of limestone.
    Based on osteological analysis, the reported archeological context, 
and the associated funerary objects, these individuals have been 
identified as Native American. Based on geographic location and 
material culture, particularly pottery characteristics, the Bobey site 
has been identified as a manifestation of the Central Plains Tradition 
(C.E. 900-1400). Based on temporal position and continuities of 
material culture, the Central Plains Tradition has been identified as 
ancestral to the present-day Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Kansas 
State Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical 
remains of four individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of 
the Kansas State Historical Society also have determined that, pursuant 
to 43 CFR 10.2(d)(2), the 68 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 Kansas State Historical Society 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 
Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma. This notice has been sent to officials of 
the Pawnee Nation 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 Randall M. 
Thies, Archaeologist, Kansas State Historical Society, 6425 Southwest 
Sixth Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099, telephone (785) 272-8681, 
extension 267, before June 13, 2001. Repatriation of the human remains 
and associated funerary objects to the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma may 
begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: April 20, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-12018 Filed 5-11-01; 8:45 am]
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