[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 8, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-384]


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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 U.S. 
Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Western 
Archeological and Conservation Center, Tucson, AZ

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 control of the U.S. Department of the Interior, 
National Park Service, Western Archeological and Conservation Center, 
Tucson, AZ.
    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 
National Park Service unit that has control or possession of these 
Native American human remains. The Manager, National NAGPRA Program is 
not responsible for the determinations within this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects was made by National Park Service professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Gila River Indian Community of 
the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona; Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Salt 
River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt River Reservation, 
Arizona; Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona; and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni 
Reservation, New Mexico. Members of the Ak-Chin Indian Community of the 
Maricopa (Ak Chin) Indian Reservation, Arizona, were contacted, but did 
not attend the consultation meeting and were represented by members of 
the Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, 
Arizona.
    In 1959-1960, human remains representing 13 individuals were 
recovered from 4 sites during legally authorized excavations under the 
direction of National Park Service archeologist Wesley L. Bliss. The 
four sites were located along a linear transect through Cibola and 
McKinley Counties, NM, and Apache County, AZ, as part of the 
Transwestern Pipeline Project. No known individuals were identified.
    Human remains representing two individuals were recovered from the 
TRW PPL L-WR-32 site. The three associated funerary objects are a 
Puerco black-on-white bowl, and a bowl and sherd of the White Mound 
black-on-white ceramic type. Diagnostic artifacts found associated with 
the burials indicate that the human remains were buried during the 
Basketmaker III-Pueblo I phases (A.D. 500-950).
    Human remains representing nine individuals were recovered from the 
TRW PPL L-WR-39 site. The six associated funerary objects are a Gallup 
black-on-white pitcher and bowl, Escavada black-on-white pitcher and 
bowl, Red Mesa black-on-white duck-shaped pitcher, and a corrugated 
style ceramic jar. Diagnostic artifacts found associated with the 
burials indicate that the human remains were buried during the Pueblo 
II-III phases (A.D. 1100-1300).
    Human remains representing one individual were recovered from the 
TRW PPL L-WR-43 site. The one associated funerary object is a Puerco 
black-on-red bowl. The diagnostic artifact found associated with the 
burials indicates that the human remains were buried during the Pueblo 
III phase (A.D. 1250-1300).
    Human remains representing one individual were recovered from the 
TRW PPL L-WR-47 site. Osteological documentation of the remains shows 
cranial deformation. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Similarities in site architecture, ceramics, and other items 
recovered from the sites in Cibola and McKinley Counties, NM, and 
Apache County, AZ, indicate a single, socially integrated early group 
lasting from the Basketmaker III phase through Pueblo III phase (A.D. 
500-1300). The archeological literature refers to this community as a 
local variant of the widespread Anasazi cultural tradition. Cranial 
deformation is common to many Anasazi remains and is believed to 
reflect their widespread use of cradleboards to carry infants. A 
combination of less bountiful environment, changes in the social 
structure of the community, and drought are believed to have 
precipitated rapid migration out of this area in the late 1200s. Most 
researchers who have worked in the area have concluded that these 
populations moved to Zuni and Acoma. Some of the populations from the 
western portion of the area may have moved to Hopi.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, the manager of the 
Western Archeological and Conservation Center has determined that, 
pursuant to 43 CFR 10 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent 
the physical remains of 13 individuals of Native American ancestry. The 
manager of the Western Archeological and Conservation Center also has 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 10 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 a 
death rite or ceremony. Lastly, the manager of the Western 
Archeological and Conservation Center has determined that, pursuant to 
43 CFR 10.2 (e) there is a relationship of shared group identity that 
can be reasonably traced between the Native American human remains and 
associated funerary objects and the Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Pueblo of 
Acoma, New Mexico, Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo of Zia, New 
Mexico; and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico.
    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; 
Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa 
Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo of Zia, New Mexico; Salt River Pima-Maricopa 
Indian Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona; Tohono O'odham 
Nation of Arizona; and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact George Teague, Manager, Western Archeological 
and Conservation Center, National Park Service, 1415 North 6th Avenue, 
Tucson, AZ 85705, telephone (520) 670-6501, extension 235, before 
February 7, 2002. Repatriation of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects may begin after that date if no additional claimants 
come forward.

    Dated: November 30, 2001.
Robert Stearns,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 02-384 Filed 1-7-02; 8:45 am]
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