[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 51459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25150]


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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 American 
Museum of Natural History, New York, NY

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 American Museum of Natural 
History, New York, NY.
    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 the American 
Museum of Natural History professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Ak Chin Indian Community of the Maricopa (Ak 
Chin) Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila River Indian Community of the 
Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona; and Salt River Pima-Maricopa 
Indian Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona.
    In 1902, human remains representing a minimum of three individuals 
were collected by Dr. Ales Hrdlicka from the vicinity of Sacaton, Pinal 
County, AZ, while Dr. Hrdlicka was a member of the Hyde Expedition, 
sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History. No known 
individuals were identified. The two associated funerary objects are 
fragments of cloth.
    These individuals have been identified as Native American based on 
the American Museum of Natural History's catalog entry describing the 
remains as ``Pima women.'' Geographic location is consistent with the 
postcontact territory of the Pima, who are represented by the Ak Chin 
Indian Community of the Maricopa (Ak Chin) Indian Reservation, Arizona; 
Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, 
Arizona; and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt 
River Reservation, Arizona. The presence of perishable materials with 
one and desiccated soft tissue with the other suggests a postcontact 
date for these burials.
    In 1902, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were collected by Dr. Ales Hrdlicka from a cave in the vicinity of 
Sacaton, Pinal County, AZ, while Dr. Hrdlicka was a member of the Hyde 
Expedition, sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History. No 
known individual was identified. The two associated funerary objects 
are a pair of metal spurs.
    This individual has been identified as Native American based on the 
American Museum of Natural History's catalog entry describing the 
remains as a ``Pima ... medicine man.'' Geographic location is 
consistent with the postcontact territory of the Pima, who are 
represented by the Ak Chin Indian Community of the Maricopa (Ak Chin) 
Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila River Indian Community of the Gila 
River Indian Reservation, Arizona; and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian 
Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona. The presence of metal 
spurs and desiccated soft tissue suggests a postcontact date for this 
burial.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the American 
Museum of Natural History have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of a minimum of four individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials 
of the American Museum of Natural History have also determined that, 
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the four 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 American Museum of Natural History 
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 Ak Chin Indian Community of the Maricopa (Ak Chin) 
Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila River Indian Community of the Gila 
River Indian Reservation, Arizona; and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian 
Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Ak Chin Indian 
Community of the Maricopa (Ak Chin) Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila 
River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona; 
and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt River 
Reservation, Arizona. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that 
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains 
and associated funerary objects should contact Martha Graham, Director 
of Cultural Resources, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park 
West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192, telephone (212) 769-5846, 
before November 8, 2001. Repatriation of the human remains and 
associated funerary objects to the Ak Chin Indian Community of the 
Maricopa (Ak Chin) Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila River Indian 
Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona; and Salt River 
Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona 
may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: August 15, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-25150 Filed 10-5-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S