[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 8 (Friday, January 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1503-1505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-733]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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, Death Valley 
National Park, Death Valley, CA and NV

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 U.S. Department of the 
Interior, National Park Service, Death Valley National Park, Death 
Valley, CA and 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 
National Park Service unit that has control or possession of these 
Native American human remains. The Manager of the 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 the Big Pine Band of Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone 
Indians of the Big Pine Reservation, California; Chemehuevi Indian 
Tribe of the Chemehuevi Reservation, California; Death Valley Timbi-Sha 
Shoshone Band of California; Duckwater Shoshone Tribe of the Duckwater 
Reservation, Nevada; Ely Shoshone Tribe of Nevada; Fort Independence 
Indian Community of Paiute Indians of the Fort Independence 
Reservation, California; Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians of the Las 
Vegas Indian Colony, Nevada; Moapa Band of Paiute Indians of the Moapa 
River Indian Reservation, Nevada; Paiute-Shoshone Indians of the Bishop 
Community of the Bishop Colony, California; Paiute-Shoshone Tribe of 
the Fallon Reservation and Colony, Nevada; Paiute-Shoshone Indians of 
the Lone Pine Community of the Lone Pine Reservation, California; 
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of the Pyramid Lake Reservation, Nevada; 
Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, Nevada; Walker River Paiute Tribe of the 
Walker River Reservation, Nevada; and Yerington Paiute Tribe of the 
Yerington Colony & Campbell Ranch, Nevada. A representative of the 
Kawaiisu, a nonfederally recognized Indian group, was also consulted.
    The National Park Service contracted with LSA Associates, Inc., of 
Irvine, CA, to assist in compliance with NAGPRA. The LSA study, Death 
Valley National Park Cultural Affiliation Study (1998), evaluated all 
collections from the area previously administered as U.S. Department of 
the Interior, Death Valley National Monument. In 1995, additional lands 
formerly under the control of the U.S. Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Land Management were transferred to Death Valley National 
Park. Collections from these new lands have not been fully evaluated by 
the National Park Service at this time.
    In 1953, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by William Wallace at site CA-
INY-1034 near Mesquite Flat, Inyo County, CA. This individual had been 
cremated. No known individual was identified. The one associated 
funerary object is a chert projectile point. The associated funerary 
object indicates that these human remains probably were cremated during 
the Death Valley III or IV period (A.D. 1-1870).
    In 1953, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by William Wallace at site CA-
INY-1137 near Mesquite Flat, Inyo County, CA. This individual had been 
cremated. No known individual was identified. The five associated 
funerary objects are three manos, one chert drill, and one bag of glass 
beads. The associated funerary objects indicate that these human 
remains probably were cremated during the Death Valley IV period (A.D. 
1000-1870).
    In 1954, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by William Wallace at a site (no 
trinomial) near Wingate Wash, in either Inyo or San Bernardino County, 
CA. This individual was found in a previously disturbed site. No known 
individual was identified. The two associated funerary objects are two 
lithic quarry blanks. Mr. Wallace noted that an archaic type projectile 
was found in association with the burial and thus assigned this burial 
to the Death Valley II period (3000 B.C.-A.D. 1). This projectile point 
has not been found in the park's collections.
    In 1954, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by William Wallace at site CA-
INY-1239, Inyo County, CA. This individual had been cremated and was 
found at the base of a sand dune. No known individual was identified. 
The three associated funerary objects are two ceramic potsherds and one 
bag of glass beads. The associated objects indicate that these human 
remains probably were cremated during the Death Valley IV period (A.D. 
1000-1870).
    In 1954, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by William Wallace at site CA-
INY-1215 near Mesquite Flat, Inyo County, CA. This individual had been 
cremated. No known individual was identified. The one associated 
funerary object is a lithic uniface fragment. The associated funerary 
object indicates that these human remains probably were cremated during 
the Death Valley III or IV Period (A.D. 1-1870).
    In 1954, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by William Wallace at site CA-
INY-1234 near Mesquite Flat, Inyo County, CA. This individual had been 
cremated. No known individual was identified. The 144 associated 
funerary objects are 10 shell beads, 3 stone pestle fragments, 6

[[Page 1504]]

manos, 1 pecking stone, 1 stone hammer, 1 stone pendant, 1 arrow shaft 
smoother, 1 smoothing stone, 2 corner notched chert projectile points 
(1 rosespring type and 1 possible elko type), 1 obsidian drill, 48 
ceramic potsherds, 1 iron angle brace, 2 metal overall buttons, 2 
pieces of window glass, 2 glass bottle fragments, 60 whole and 
fragmented glass beads, and 2 clay coils. The associated funerary 
objects indicate that these human remains probably were cremated during 
the Death Valley III or IV period (A.D. 1-1870).
    In 1955, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by William Wallace and Edith 
Taylor at Hole-in-the-Rock rockshelter (no trinomial), Inyo County, CA. 
This individual was found wrapped in a rabbit-skin blanket and buried 
in the rockshelter. No known individual was identified. The nine 
associated funerary objects are five shell beads, one ceramic sherd 
scraper, one chopper, one hammerstone, and one fragmented rabbit-skin 
blanket or cloak. Mr. Wallace suggests that the site dates to the Death 
Valley III period. The associated funerary objects indicate that these 
human remains probably were buried sometime during the Death Valley III 
or IV period (A.D. 1-1870).
    In 1955, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by William Wallace at site CA-
INY-3328 near Mesquite Flat, Inyo County, CA. This individual had been 
cremated. No known individual was identified. The 23 associated 
funerary objects are 1 jar of glass beads, 7 rivets, 9 buttons, 3 
overall clips, 1 projectile point, 1 mano, and 1 bag of glass beads. 
The associated funerary objects indicate that these human remains 
probably were cremated during the Death Valley IV period (A.D. 1000-
1870).
    In 1956, human remains representing four individuals were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by William Wallace, Alice Hunt, 
and Edith Taylor at site CA-INY-522 near Tule Spring, Inyo County, CA. 
These individuals were found buried in a stone mound. No known 
individuals were identified. The 12 associated funerary objects are 3 
projectile points (2 rosespring type and 1 unknown leaf-shaped point), 
2 fragments of bone pendants, 1 bone awl, 4 fragments of a bone awl, 1 
shell bead, and 1 lithic uniface. The associated funerary objects 
indicate that these human remains probably were buried during the Death 
Valley III period (A.D. 1-1000).
    In 1956, human remains representing four individuals were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by William Wallace, Alice Hunt, 
and Edith Taylor at site CA-INY-525 near Bennetts Well, Inyo County, 
CA. All four individuals were found buried in a rock mound. No known 
individuals were identified. The 45 associated funerary objects are 43 
shell beads and 2 shells. The associated funerary objects indicate that 
these human remains probably were buried sometime during the Death 
Valley III period (A.D. 1-1000).
    In 1956, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by William Wallace and Roger 
Desautels at site CA-SBR-90 near Saratoga Springs, San Bernardino 
County, CA. This individual was found buried in a bell-shaped pit. No 
known individual was identified. The seven associated funerary objects 
are three projectile point fragments (one rosespring or desert side-
notched type and two of unknown type), three chert blade fragments, and 
one chert graver. The associated funerary objects indicate that these 
human remains probably were buried during the Death Valley III period 
(A.D. 1-1000).
    In 1956, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by William Wallace at Old Crump 
rockshelter (site CA-INY-3044), Inyo County, CA. This individual was 
found buried in the rockshelter. No known individual was identified. 
The 42 associated funerary objects are 6 fragmented or complete stone 
blades, 8 fragmented or complete projectile points (including 2 
cottonwood type, 1 rosespring type, and 5 of unknown type), 5 ceramic 
sherds, 3 bead fragments, 3 pendants, 2 awls, 3 mammal bone artifacts, 
2 scrapers, 1 pipe fragment, 4 pine nut shells, 1 wood stick, 3 glass 
fragments, and 1 tin can fragment. The associated funerary objects 
indicate that these human remains probably were buried sometime during 
the Death Valley III or IV period (A.D. 1-1870).
    In 1956, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by Alice Hunt at site CA-INY-793 
near Tule Spring, Inyo County, CA. This individual was found buried in 
a stone mound. No known individual was identified. The two associated 
funerary objects are lithic bifaces. Similar Death Valley III and Death 
Valley IV burial sites located in this area and recorded by Ms. Hunt 
indicate that these human remains probably were buried during the Death 
Valley III or IV period (A.D. 1-1870).
    In 1956, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by Alice Hunt at site CA-INY-582 
near Tule Spring, Inyo County, CA. This individual was found buried in 
a stone mound. No known individual was identified. The one associated 
funerary object is a metal overall button. The associated funerary 
object indicates that these human remains probably were buried during 
the Death Valley IV period (A.D. 1000-1870).
    In 1957, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by Alice Hunt at site CA-INY-896 
near Gravel Well, Inyo County, CA. This individual was found buried in 
a stone mound. No known individual was identified. No funerary objects 
are present. Similar Death Valley III and Death Valley IV burial sites 
located in this area and recorded by Ms. Hunt indicate that these human 
remains probably were buried during the Death Valley III or IV period 
(A.D. 1-1870).
    In 1957, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by Alice Hunt at site CA-INY-884 
near Eagle Borax, Inyo County, CA. The individual was found buried in a 
stone mound. No known individual was identified. No funerary objects 
are present. Similar Death Valley III and Death Valley IV burial sites 
located in this area recorded by Ms. Hunt indicate that these human 
remains probably were buried during the Death Valley III or IV period 
(A.D. 1-1870).
    In 1958, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by Alice Hunt at site CA-INY-3136 
near Tule Spring, Inyo County, CA. This individual was found buried in 
a stone mound. No known individual was identified. No funerary objects 
are present. Similar Death Valley III and Death Valley IV burial sites 
located in this area and recorded by Ms. Hunt indicate that these human 
remains probably were buried during the Death Valley III or IV period 
(A.D. 1-1870).
    In 1958, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by Alice Hunt at site Mound E (no 
trinomial) near Tule Spring, Inyo County, CA. The individual was found 
buried in a stone mound. No known individual was identified. No 
funerary objects are present. Similar Death Valley III and Death Valley 
IV burial sites located in this area and recorded by Ms. Hunt indicate 
that these human remains

[[Page 1505]]

probably were buried during the Death Valley III or IV period (A.D. 1-
1870).
    In 1958, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by Alice Hunt at site CA-INY-3142 
near Bennetts Well, Inyo County, CA. This individual was found buried 
in a stone mound. No known individual was identified. No funerary 
objects are present. Similar Death Valley III and Death Valley IV 
burial sites located in this area and recorded by Ms. Hunt indicate 
that these human remains probably were buried during the Death Valley 
III or IV period (A.D. 1-1870).
    In 1958, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by Alice Hunt at site CA-INY-3137 
near Tule Spring, Inyo County, CA. This individual had been cremated 
and was found buried in a stone mound. No known individual was 
identified. The four associated funerary objects are blue glass trade 
beads. The associated funerary objects indicate that these human 
remains probably were cremated during the Death Valley IV period (A.D. 
1000-1870).
    In 1959, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during legally authorized excavations by Alice Hunt at site Mound C (no 
trinomial) near Tule Spring, Inyo County, CA. This individual was found 
buried in a stone mound. No known individual was identified. The two 
associated funerary objects are bird bones. Similar Death Valley III 
and Death Valley IV burial sites located in this area recorded by Ms. 
Hunt indicate that these human remains probably were buried during the 
Death Valley III or IV period (A.D. 1-1870).
    Around 1960, human remains representing one individual were 
recovered during unauthorized excavations by Ken Robinson at an 
unspecified location within Death Valley National Monument. No known 
individual was identified. The 45 associated funerary objects are 6 
worked sticks, 1 small animal trap, 1 rawhide strip, 2 basketry 
fragments, 1 ceramic potsherd, 1 nut shell, 2 metal buttons, 1 .36-
caliber lead ball, 1 wooden fire drill platform, 13 pieces of cordage, 
15 projectile points (11 cottonwood type, 1 desert side-notch type, 1 
rosespring type, 1 that is either a rosespring type or a drill, and 1 
unknown type), and 1 bifacial blade. Mr. Robinson transferred the human 
remains and associated funerary objects to the Maturango Museum in 
Ridgecrest, CA. The museum contacted the monument when they learned the 
origin of the human remains and associated funerary objects, and 
returned them to the monument in 1992. The associated funerary objects 
indicate that these human remains probably were buried sometime during 
the Death Valley III or IV Period (A.D. 1-1870).
    The above-mentioned human remains were dated based on projectile 
point cross-dating, changes in burial practices, the presence of 
ceramics or trade beads, and other archeological evidence. The remains 
of one individual were dated to the Death Valley II period (3000 B.C.-
A.D. 1) based on the presence of an archaic style projectile point. The 
remains of the other 27 individuals were dated to the Death Valley III 
or Death Valley IV periods (A.D. 1-1870). Alice Hunt suggests in 
Archeology of the Death Valley Salt Pan, California (1960) that during 
the early Death Valley II period, human remains were typically buried 
in pits in a flexed position, along with arrow points, bone tools, and 
shell beads, and covered with mounds of rock. This pattern continues 
into the Death Valley III period. William Wallace documented a shift to 
cremation during the Death Valley III and Death Valley IV periods in 
Death Valley National Monument's Prehistoric Past: An Archeological 
Overview (1977). Rock burial mounds also are a trait of the Death 
Valley IV occupation. Mr. Wallace interprets the shift in burial 
practices to reflect the arrival of a new population in the area that 
ultimately absorbed the original population and incorporated much of 
their culture. Mr. Wallace concludes that the resulting new population 
is the ancestors of the Panamint (Shoshone) Indians of historic times.
    Relevant ethnographic research and oral traditions pertaining to 
language, social and political organization, subsistence strategies, 
resources and settlement patterns, trade and exchange, religion, 
ritualism, and ceremonialism further supports the archeological record. 
The LSA study concludes that all of the archaeological sites 
located within Death Valley [National Park] and including human remains 
appear to be part of an unbroken archaeological tradition beginning 
circa 3000 B.C. and continuing through historic contact. Hence, without 
specific evidence to the contrary, all the archaeological material have 
probable affiliation with the Timbi-Sha Shoshone people who currently 
live in Death Valley.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, the superintendent of 
Death Valley National Park has determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of 28 individuals of Native American ancestry. The superintendent of 
Death Valley National Park also has determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (d)(2), the 348 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, the 
superintendent of Death Valley National Park has 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 Death Valley 
Timbi-Sha Shoshone Band of California.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Death Valley Timbi-
Sha Shoshone Band of California. Representatives of any other Indian 
tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human 
remains and associated funerary objects should contact James T. 
Reynolds, Superintendent, Death Valley National Park, P.O. Box 579, 
Death Valley, CA 92328, telephone (760) 786-2331, before February 11, 
2002. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects 
to the Death Valley Timbi-Sha Shoshone Band of California may begin 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: November 20, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 02-733 Filed 1-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S