[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35578-35579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-12561]


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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 Phoebe A. 
Hearst Museum of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley, 
Berkeley, CA

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 Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of 
Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA.
    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.
    An assessment of the human remains, and catalogue records and 
associated documents relevant to the human remains, was made by Phoebe 
A. Hearst Museum professional staff in consultation with the Mechoopda 
Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, California; Mooretown Rancheria of 
Maidu Indians of California; and the Round Valley Indian Tribes of the 
Round Valley Reservation, California.
    In 1952, human remains representing at least one individual were 
removed during excavations at site CA-But-48, Butte County, CA, by Mr. 
and Mrs. A.B. Elsasser and J.A. Bennyhoff of the University of 
California, Berkeley, and were donated to the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum 
of Anthropology by Charles Collier the same year. No known individuals 
were identified. The 15 associated funerary objects are saddle olivella 
beads, whole olivella beads, and clamshell disc beads.
    In 1956, human remains representing at least one individual were 
recovered during excavations at site CA-Teh-210, Tehama County, CA, by 
A.B. Elsasser and J.A. Bennyhoff of the University of California, 
Berkeley, and were accessioned into the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of 
Anthropology the same year. No known individual was identified. The 89 
funerary objects are clamshell disc beads, olivella beads, pine seed 
beads, and a steatite bead.
    The presence of clamshell disk beads among the associated funerary 
objects from CA-But-48 and CA-Teh-210 indicate that both sites were 
occupied during the Protohistoric period, post-A.D. 1500. Archeological 
and linguistic evidence indicates that the Maidu peoples, represented 
by the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, California; Mooretown 
Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California; and the Round Valley Indian 
Tribes of the Round Valley Reservation, California moved into north-
central California by circa A.D. 1400.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Phoebe 
A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology have determined that, pursuant to 43 
CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical 
remains of

[[Page 35579]]

at least two individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the 
Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology also have determined that, 
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 104 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 Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology 
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 Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, California; 
Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California; and the Round 
Valley Indian Tribes of the Round Valley Reservation, California.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Mechoopda Indian 
Tribe of Chico Rancheria, California; Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu 
Indians of California; and the Round Valley Indian Tribes of the Round 
Valley Reservation, California. Representatives of any other Indian 
tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human 
remains and associated funerary objects should contact C. Richard 
Hitchcock, NAGPRA Coordinator, Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, 
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley CA 94720, telephone (510) 
642-6096, before July 19, 2002. Repatriation of the human remains and 
associated funerary objects to the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico 
Rancheria, California; Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians of 
California; and the Round Valley Indian Tribes of the Round Valley 
Reservation, California may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.

    Dated: April 25, 2002.
Robert Stearns,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 02-12561 Filed 5-17-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S