[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 27, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8994-8996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4581]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Unassociated Funerary Objects in 
the Possession of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of 
Reclamation, Central Arizona Project Repository, Tucson, AZ, and in the 
Control of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, 
Phoenix Area Office, Phoenix, AZ

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), of the intent to repatriate 
cultural items in the possession of the U.S. Department of the 
Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Central Arizona Project Repository, 
Tucson, AZ, and in the control of the U.S. Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office, Phoenix, AZ, that meet the 
definition of ``unassociated funerary object'' under Section 2 of the 
Act.
    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

[[Page 8995]]

museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these 
cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations within this notice.
    The 74 cultural items are whole and reconstructable ceramic 
vessels; sherds; chipped stone artifacts and debitage; ground stone; 
worked and unworked nonhuman bone; worked and unworked shell; and 
archeomagnetic, pollen, and flotation samples that were collected 
during legally authorized data recovery efforts by the Phoenix Area 
Office and are now curated at the Central Arizona Project Repository.
    Between 1980 and 1981, legally authorized data recovery efforts 
were undertaken by the Arizona State Museum for the Bureau of 
Reclamation at the Las Fosas site, AZ U:15:19(ASM), in the Gila River 
Valley east of Florence, Pinal County, AZ. The 13 unassociated funerary 
objects that were recovered include 6 bowls (reconstructable from 
sherds), 1 projectile point, 1 flake tool, and 5 flotation samples. On 
the basis of archeological context, chronometric, architectural, 
ceramic, and other types of artifactual evidence, the site represents a 
Hohokam occupation of the Classic period (A.D. 1150-1450).
    Between 1980 and 1981, legally authorized data recovery efforts 
were undertaken by the Arizona State Museum for the Bureau of 
Reclamation at Frogtown, AZ U:15:61(ASM), west of Florence Junction, 
Pinal County, AZ. The one unassociated funerary object is a carved 
piece of shell. On the basis of archeological context, chronometric, 
architectural, ceramic, and other types of artifactual evidence, the 
site represents a Hohokam occupation of the Santa Cruz and Sacaton 
Phases (A.D. 750-1150) of the Preclassic period.
    Between 1980 and 1981, legally authorized data recovery efforts 
were undertaken by the Arizona State Museum for the Bureau of 
Reclamation at the Dustbowl site, AZ U:15:76(ASM), on the Gila River 
northeast of Florence, Pinal County, AZ. The two unassociated funerary 
objects are one sherd disk and one bag of sherds. On the basis of 
archeological context, architectural, ceramic, and other types of 
artifactual evidence, the site represents a Hohokam occupation of the 
Santa Cruz Phase (A.D. 750-900) of the Preclassic period.
     Between 1980 and 1981, legally authorized data recovery efforts 
were undertaken by the Arizona State Museum for the Bureau of 
Reclamation at the Saguaro site, AZ U:15:77(ASM), on the Gila River 
northeast of Florence, Pinal County, AZ. The eight unassociated 
funerary objects are three stone cores, two hammerstones, two manos, 
and one bag of sherds. On the basis of archeological context, 
architectural, ceramic, and other types of artifactual evidence, the 
site represents a Hohokam occupation of the Preclassic period (A.D. 
700-1150).
    Between 1986 and 1987, legally authorized data recovery efforts 
were undertaken by Archaeological Consulting Services for the Bureau of 
Reclamation at site AZ T:3:10(ASM), near the Agua Fria and New River 
Valleys north of Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ. The three unassociated 
funerary objects are one partial ceramic scoop and two flotation and 
pollen samples. On the basis of archeological context, architectural, 
ceramic, and other artifactual evidence, this site represents a Hohokam 
occupation of the Preclassic period (A.D. 800-1150).
    In 1985, legally authorized data recovery efforts were undertaken 
by the Museum of Northern Arizona for the Bureau of Reclamation at the 
Brady Wash site, NA18003 (MNA), at the base of the Picacho Mountains in 
Pinal County, AZ. The one unassociated funerary object is a Sacaton 
Red/Buff ceramic censer. On the basis of archeological context, 
chronometric, architectural, ceramic, and other artifactual evidence, 
this site represents a Hohokam occupation of the Classic period (A.D. 
1150-1450).
    In 1985, Arizona State University undertook legally authorized data 
recovery for the Bureau of Reclamation at the Muchas Casas site, AZ 
AA:12:2(ASU), north of Tucson, Pima County, AZ. The nine unassociated 
funerary objects are one miniature ceramic bowl, one reconstructed 
miniature ceramic jar, four bags of sherds, one faunal bone, and two 
mineral samples. On the basis of archeological context, chronometric, 
architectural, ceramic, and other artifactual evidence, this site 
represents a Hohokam occupation of the Classic period (A.D. 1150-1450).
    Between 1982 and 1983, Arizona State Museum undertook a legally 
authorized survey for the Bureau of Reclamation at site AZ 
AA:12:331(ASM), at the base of the Picacho Mountains, Pima County, AZ. 
The one unassociated funerary object is a bag of ochre that was 
recovered in a soil matrix from a possible cremation exposed on the 
surface. On the basis of archeological context, architectural, ceramic, 
and other artifactual evidence, this site represents a Hohokam 
occupation of the Classic period (A.D. 1150-1450).
    Between 1985 and 1986, legally authorized data recovery efforts 
were undertaken by Northland Research for the Bureau of Reclamation at 
the Hind site, AZ AA:1:62(ASM), in the lower Santa Cruz Valley, Pinal 
County, AZ, in an area to be impacted by the Santa Rosa Canal. The two 
unassociated funerary objects are two large Gila Plain bowl sherds. On 
the basis of archeological context, chronometric dating (radiocarbon 
and archeomagnetic), architectural, ceramic, and other artifactual 
evidence, this site is dated to the Late Pioneer through Early 
Sedentary Phases (A.D. 700-950) of the Preclassic period.
     Between 1985 and 1986, legally authorized data recovery efforts 
were undertaken by Northland Research for the Bureau of Reclamation at 
Shelltown, AZ AA:1:66(ASM), located in the lower Santa Cruz Valley, 
Pinal County, AZ, in an area to be impacted by the Santa Rosa Canal. 
The 34 unassociated funerary objects are 1 partially reconstructable 
Snaketown Red/Buff bowl; 1 partial Gila Butte Red/Buff bowl; 1 partial 
Red/Buff jar; 14 bags of sherds; 1 worked sherd; 4 bags of chipped 
stone; 1 bag of unworked shell; 1 bag of unworked faunal bone; and 10 
flotation, pollen, and radiocarbon samples. On the basis of 
archeological context, chronometric dating (radiocarbon and 
archeomagnetic), architectural, ceramic, and other artifactual 
evidence, this site represents a Hohokam occupation of the Gila Butte 
through Sacaton Phases (A.D. 600-1150) of the Preclassic period.
    Evidence provided by anthropological, archeological, biological, 
geographical, historical, kinship, linguistics, and oral tradition 
sources was considered in determining the cultural affiliation of these 
cultural items. Bureau of Reclamation officials have determined that, 
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2(e), the preponderance of the evidence suggests 
that the historic O'odham groups (Ak-Chin Indian Community of the Ak-
Chin Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila River Indian Community of the 
Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian 
Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona; and Tohono O'odham 
Nation of Arizona, including the San Xavier District) have a strong 
cultural affiliation with the prehistoric Hohokam who occupied the 
middle Gila Valley and surrounding areas. Great similarities in 
settlement patterns, economic systems, architecture, and material 
culture point to a close relationship between the Hohokam and the 
O'odham groups. The O'odham were well established along the rivers and 
in the deserts when the Spanish first arrived in northern Sonora and 
southern Arizona.

[[Page 8996]]

     One of the two Pima moieties claims descent from the Hohokam, 
while the other moiety is said to have descended from the ``emergers,'' 
those who overthrew the Hohokam leaders. Although the O'odham belong to 
the same linguistic group (Piman) as communities in what is now 
northern Mexico, shared vocabulary and syntax with Yuman language 
groups along the Colorado River suggest a long-term history of 
interaction that stretches back into prehistoric times in what is now 
southern Arizona.
    Evidence also shows the interaction of ancestral Zuni and Hopi 
groups with the prehistoric Hohokam. This interaction is indicated by 
the presence of trade items, particularly ceramics. Such interaction 
continued into protohistoric and early historic times. In addition to 
trade, Hopi and Zuni migration traditions indicate that clans 
originating from areas south of the Colorado Plateau joined the plateau 
communities late in prehistoric times. These groups contributed 
ceremonies, societies, and iconography to the plateau groups. Both 
O'odham and Western Pueblo oral traditions indicate that some Hohokam 
groups may have left the Salt-Gila River Basin after disastrous floods 
and social upheaval. These groups traveled north and east, possibly to 
be assimilated by the Hopi and Zuni. These ties are reflected in some 
of the traditional ceremonies maintained as part of the annual 
ceremonial cycle.
     Evidence suggests that the Hopi and Zuni are also culturally 
affiliated with the Hohokam. Their ancestors had trade relationships 
and other likely interactions with the Hohokam, similar to those found 
between groups in the early historic period. Hopi and Zuni oral 
traditions indicate that segments of the prehistoric Hohokam population 
migrated to the areas occupied by the Hopi and Zuni and were 
assimilated into the resident populations.
     Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Bureau 
of Reclamation have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(2)(ii), the 74 cultural items 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, and are 
believed, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from 
a specific burial site of a Native American individual. Officials of 
the Bureau of Reclamation 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 unassociated funerary objects and the 
Ak-Chin Indian Community of the Ak-Chin Indian Reservation, Arizona; 
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 the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico.
    This notice has been sent to the Ak-Chin Indian Community of the 
Ak-Chin Indian Reservation, Arizona; Chemehuevi Indian Tribe of the 
Chemehuevi Indian Reservation, California; Cocopah Tribe of Arizona; 
Colorado River Indian Tribes of the Colorado River Indian Reservation, 
Arizona and California; Fort McDowell Mohave-Apache Community of the 
Fort McDowell Indian Reservation, Arizona; Fort Mohave Indian Tribe of 
Arizona, California & Nevada; Gila River Indian Community of the Gila 
River Indian Reservation, Arizona; Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Pascua Yaqui 
Tribe of Arizona; Quechan Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation, 
California & Arizona; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the 
Salt River Reservation, Arizona; San Carlos Apache Tribe of the San 
Carlos Reservation, Arizona; Tohono O'Odham Nation of Arizona; Tonto 
Apache Tribe of Arizona; White Mountain Apache Tribe of the Fort Apache 
Reservation, Arizona; Yavapai-Apache Nation of the Camp Verde Indian 
Reservation, Arizona; Yavapai-Prescott Tribe of the Yavapai 
Reservation, Arizona; and the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New 
Mexico. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself 
to be culturally affiliated with these unassociated funerary objects 
should contact in writing Jon Czaplicki or Bruce Ellis, Bureau of 
Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office, P.O. Box 81169, Phoenix, AZ 85069-
1169, telephone (602) 216-3862, before March 29, 2002. Repatriation of 
these unassociated funerary objects to the Ak-Chin Indian Community of 
the Ak-Chin Indian Reservation, Arizona; 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 the Zuni Tribe of the 
Zuni Reservation, New Mexico may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.

    Dated: January 25, 2002.
Robert Stearns,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 02-4581 Filed 2-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S