[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68160-68161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-25927]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: Texas Archeological Research 
Laboratory, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 68161]]

    Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves 
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the 
completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary 
objects in the possession of the Texas Archeological Research 
Laboratory, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX. The human 
remains and associated funerary objects were removed from a site in 
Real County, TX.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003 (d)(3). 
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native 
American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National 
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Texas 
Archeological Research Laboratory professional staff and the 
information was provided to representatives of the Mescalero Apache 
Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico, who claim affiliation 
and who have requested specific handling and housing conditions for the 
remains. No other tribe was consulted due to the clarity of information 
on affiliation.
    In 1962, human remains representing a minimum of 17 individuals 
were removed from beneath the floor of the San Lorenzo de la Santa Cruz 
Mission church (site 41 RE 1), Real County, TX, by the Texas Memorial 
Museum, University of Texas and subsequently transferred to the Texas 
Archeological Research Laboratory. No known individuals were 
identified. The 111 associated funerary objects are 3 crucifixes, 2 
brass medallions, 93 glass beads, 7 alabaster beads, 1 coral bead, 1 
amber bead, 1 vial of Opuntia seeds, and a minimum of 3 linen 
fragments.
    The San Lorenzo de la Santa Cruz Mission was established 
specifically for the Lipan Apache. The mission was operated by the 
Franciscan missionaries of the Colegio de la Santa Cruz de Queretaro 
between 1762 and 1771 for the purpose of converting the Lipan Apache to 
Christianity. The Lipan Apache band became members of the Mescalero 
Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico in 1936 under 
provisions of the Indian Reorganization Act.
    Officials of the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory have 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains 
described above represent the physical remains of 17 individuals of 
Native American ancestry. Officials of the Texas Archeological Research 
Laboratory also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 
(3)(A), the 111 objects described 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 Texas Archeological Research Laboratory have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), 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 Mescalero Apache 
Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact Dr. Darrell Creel, Director, The University of 
Texas at Austin, Texas Archeological Research Laboratory, 1 University 
Station R7500, Austin, TX 78712-0714, telephone (512) 471-5960, before 
December 23, 2004. Repatriation of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects to the Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero 
Reservation, New Mexico may proceed after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.
    The Texas Archeological Research Laboratory is responsible for 
notifying the Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New 
Mexico that this notice has been published.

    Dated: October 25, 2004
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 04-25927 Filed 11-22-04; 8:45 am]
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