[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 159 (Thursday, August 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47520-47523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13602]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Colorado Museum, 
Boulder, CO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

    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 University of Colorado Museum, 
Boulder, CO. The human remains and associated funerary objects were 
removed from Dolores, La Plata, and Montezuma Counties, CO; San Juan 
County, NM; San Juan County,

[[Page 47521]]

UT; and an unknown site in the Southwestern United States.
    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 and associated funerary 
objects was made by University of Colorado Museum professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Navajo 
Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah; Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico; Pueblo 
of Cochiti, New Mexico; Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico; Pueblo of Jemez, 
New Mexico; Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico; Pueblo of Nambe, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Picuris, New Mexico; Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico; Pueblo 
of San Felipe, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Ildefonso, New Mexico; Pueblo 
of San Juan, New Mexico; Pueblo of Sandia, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa 
Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Clara, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santo 
Domingo, New Mexico; Pueblo of Taos, New Mexico; Pueblo of Tesuque, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Zia, New Mexico; Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the 
Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado; Ute Mountain Tribe of the Ute 
Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New Mexico & Utah; Ysleta Del Sur 
Pueblo of Texas; and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico.
    Prior to 1941, human remains representing a minimum of two 
individuals were removed from an unknown site close to Dove Creek, 
Dolores County, CO, by an unknown individual. The human remains were 
sent anonymously to the University of Colorado Museum in the early 
1990s and cataloged into the museum collection (catalog numbers 99509a 
and 99509b). No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Based on information sent to the museum with the human remains, 
including a statement that they are from an ``Indian'' site, the human 
remains are reasonably believed to be Native American. Based on the 
numerous late Basketmaker and Pueblo I-III sites in the Dove Creek 
area, there is a reasonable belief that the human remains date to circa 
A.D. 550-1300.
    On an unknown date, but probably in 1925, human remains 
representing a minimum of six individuals were removed from the Morris 
site, La Plata Canyon, La Plata County, CO, by Earl H. Morris of the 
University of Colorado Museum, and cataloged into museum collections 
(catalog numbers 45219a to 45219d). No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    The human remains were removed from either Morris site number 19, 
22, or 23. All three sites are in La Plata Canyon, 8 miles south of Red 
Mesa. Based on the osteological characteristics and excavator's 
collection history, the human remains are reasonably believed to be 
Native American. The osteological characteristics indicate the human 
remains are consistent with better-documented Ancestral Puebloan 
remains from Southwestern Colorado dating to the Pueblo I period (A.D. 
750-900).
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from a site in Ridges Basin, La Plata County, 
CO, by an unknown individual. Ridges Basin is 6 miles southwest of 
Durango, CO, and west of the Animas River. The human remains were 
acquired by G.W. Hoofnagle in the 1950s, purchased from Mr. Hoofnagle 
by the University of Colorado Museum in 1961, and cataloged into the 
museum collection (catalog number 21815a). No known individual was 
identified. The three associated funerary objects are one Chapin Gray 
pitcher, one Chapin Gray seed jar, and one Rosa/La Plata Black-on-White 
bowl.
    Ridges Basin is an area of extensive prehistoric occupation. Based 
on the site location and the associated funerary objects, the human 
remains are Native American. Based on the style of the associated 
funerary objects, the human remains are Pueblo I period (A.D. 750-900).
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum three 
individuals were removed from a site or sites near Durango, La Plata 
County, CO, by an unknown individual. The human remains are reasonably 
believed to have been excavated in the 1930s or 1940s. Harold Peterson 
donated the human remains to the museum in the early 1990s and the 
human remains were cataloged into the museum collection (catalog 
numbers 99092, 99093, and 99094). No known individuals were identified. 
No associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on information on the provenience of at least two of the 
sites, which suggests they came from the Ridges Basin area close to 
Durango, the human remains are reasonably believed to be Native 
American dating to circa A.D. 750-900.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of four 
individuals were removed from an unknown site on the first terrace just 
above the Mancos River, Montezuma County, CO, by an unknown individual. 
In 1989, Fred W. Skinner donated the human remains to the University of 
Colorado Museum and the human remains were cataloged into the museum 
collection (catalog numbers 44447-1 to 44447-4). No known individuals 
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on the site description by the donor, the human remains are 
reasonably believed to be Native American and are reasonably believed 
to be Ancestral Pueblo. Most pueblo ruins in the area date to circa 
A.D. 550-1300.
    In 1914, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from a site near Aztec Ruin, San Juan County, NM, by Mr. 
Morris. The human remains were donated to the museum by the Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 
and cataloged into the museum collection (catalog number 00235). No 
known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    Based on the archeological context, the human remains are Native 
American. Based on the proximity to the Aztec Ruin site, the human 
remains date to approximately A.D. 1100-1300.
    In 1916, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from Morris site number 39, located on the western river 
terrace just north of the junction of the La Plata River and Barker 
Arroyo in San Juan County, NM, by Mr. Morris of the University of 
Colorado. Mr. Morris's work was jointly financed by the University of 
Colorado Museum and the American Museum of Natural History. The 
collection from this expedition was later consolidated at the 
University of Colorado Museum through the reimbursement of the American 
Museum of Natural History in 1923 and were cataloged into the museum 
collection (catalog number 698). No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Morris site number 39 is a large Ancestral Puebloan Community. 
Based on archeological context, the human remains are Native American. 
Based on architecture and ceramics associated with Morris site number 
39, the human remains are Ancestral Puebloan dating from circa A.D. 
750-1300.

[[Page 47522]]

    In 1898, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from near Pueblo Pintado, near the mouth of Chaco Canyon, 
San Juan County, NM, by William Ross. Mr. Morris acquired the human 
remains from Mr. Ross. Sometime after 1910, the human remains were 
transferred to the museum where they were cataloged into the collection 
(catalog number 760). No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Pueblo Pintado is an ancestral Pueblo community. Based on the 
proximity to Pueblo Pintado and Chaco Canyon, the human remains are 
reasonably believed to be Native American. Based on the architecture 
and ceramics associated with Pueblo Pintado and Chaco Canyon, the human 
remains are reasonably believed to be Ancestral Puebloan. Chaco Canyon 
occupation dates to approximately A.D. 500-1300.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of two 
individuals were removed from Blake Ranch near Farmington, San Juan 
County, NM, by Mr. Morris of the University of Colorado and cataloged 
into the museum collection (catalog numbers 762-1 and 762-2). No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    Based on Mr. Morris' assessment of the human remains, they are 
reasonably believed to be Native American. Based on geographic location 
and mode of burial, the human remains are Ancestral Puebloan.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from an unknown site in the Southwestern United 
States, by an unknown individual. According to museum documentation, a 
seed jar was found with the human remains. The human remains were 
cataloged into the museum collection (catalog number 22264), but the 
seed jar is not in the collection. No known individual was identified. 
No associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on the association with the seed jar, the human remains are 
reasonably believed to be Native American. Based on the style of the 
associated funerary object, the human remains are Ancestral Puebloan 
dating to circa A.D. 750-1100.
    Between 1937 and 1940, human remains representing a minimum of two 
individuals were removed from Monument Ruin (42SA22760), San Juan 
County, UT, by Leonard Leh, an assistant professor at the University of 
Colorado. The site had been purchased by Mr. Leh prior to excavation 
and may have worked as a private collector at the site. In 1956, Mr. 
Leh donated the human remains to the museum where they were cataloged 
into the museum collection (catalog numbers 6808, 6809, 6811, and 
6812). No known individuals were identified. The two associated 
funerary objects are one Mesa Verde Black-on-white mug and one McElmo 
Black-on-White ladle.
    Monument Ruin, also known as the Wilson Ruins or Hedley Site, is 
adjacent to a tributary of Monument Canyon near the Colorado-Utah 
border and consists of three separate village areas covering over a 
quarter section of land in total area. The human remains were found in 
the westernmost portion of the site, described in the site report as 
the West Hill Ruins. Based on the provenience, associated funerary 
objects, archeological context, and cranial shaping or cradleboarding, 
the human remains are Native American. Based on the style of 
architecture and ceramics at the site, the use of the portion of the 
site from which the human remains were removed dates to circa A.D. 
1080-1240. Based on the style of ceramic vessels, the human remains 
date to approximately A.D. 1100-1225.
    All individuals listed in this Notice of Inventory Completion are 
Ancestral Puebloan based on the archeological context, morphology, or 
site dating. Based on a preponderance of evidence, a shared group 
identity can be traced between modern Puebloan peoples and Ancestral 
Puebloan peoples based on oral tradition and scientific studies. Modern 
Puebloan peoples are members of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Pueblo of 
Acoma, New Mexico; Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico; Pueblo of Isleta, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico; Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Nambe, New Mexico; Pueblo of Picuris, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
Pojoaque, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Felipe, New Mexico; Pueblo of San 
Ildefonso, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Juan, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
Sandia, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa 
Clara, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santo Domingo, New Mexico; Pueblo of Taos, 
New Mexico; Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico; Pueblo of Zia, New Mexico; 
Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas; and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, 
New Mexico. Oral-tradition evidence, which consisted of migration 
stories, clan histories, and origin stories was provided by the Hopi 
Tribe, Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Isleta, Pueblo of 
Jemez, Pueblo of Laguna, Pueblo of Nambe, Pueblo of Pojoaque, Pueblo of 
San Ildefonso, Pueblo of San Juan, Pueblo of Santa Ana, Pueblo of Santa 
Clara, Pueblo of Taos, Pueblo of Tesuque, Pueblo of Ysleta del Sur, 
Pueblo of Zia, and Pueblo of Zuni. Folkloric evidence in the form of 
songs was provided by Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Cochiti, Pueblo of 
Isleta, Pueblo of Nambe, and Pueblo of San Ildefonso. Pueblo of Acoma, 
Pueblo of Nambe, Pueblo of San Ildefonso, and Pueblo of Taos provided 
linguistic evidence rooted in place names. Pueblo of Cochiti, Pueblo of 
Nambe, Pueblo of San Ildefonso, and Pueblo of Santa Clara provided 
archeological evidence based on architecture and material culture.
    According to scientific studies and oral tradition, the Navajo 
share some cultural practices with modern Puebloan peoples; and during 
consultation, tribal representatives of the Navajo Nation emphasized 
their long presence in the Four Corners and their origin in this area, 
but there is not a preponderance of evidence to support Navajo cultural 
affiliation to the human remains described in this notice.
    Officials of the University of Colorado Museum have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains described 
above represent the physical remains of 24 individuals of Native 
American ancestry. Officials of the University of Colorado Museum have 
also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the five 
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 University 
of Colorado Museum 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 the 
Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico; Pueblo of Cochiti, 
New Mexico; Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico; Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico; Pueblo of Nambe, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
Picuris, New Mexico; Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico; Pueblo of San 
Felipe, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Ildefonso, New Mexico; Pueblo of San 
Juan, New Mexico; Pueblo of Sandia, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Ana, 
New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Clara, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santo Domingo, 
New Mexico; Pueblo of Taos, New Mexico; Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Zia, New Mexico; Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas; and Zuni 
Tribe of the Zuni 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 Steve Lekson, Curator of

[[Page 47523]]

Anthropology, University of Colorado Museum, Henderson Building, Campus 
Box 218, Boulder, CO 80309-0218, telephone (303) 492-6671, before 
September 18, 2006. Repatriation of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects to the Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Pueblo of Acoma, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico; Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico; Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
Nambe, New Mexico; Pueblo of Picuris, New Mexico; Pueblo of Pojoaque, 
New Mexico; Pueblo of San Felipe, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Ildefonso, 
New Mexico; Pueblo of San Juan, New Mexico; Pueblo of Sandia, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Clara, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Santo Domingo, New Mexico; Pueblo of Taos, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico; Pueblo of Zia, New Mexico; 
Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas; and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, 
New Mexico may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
    The University of Colorado Museum is responsible for notifying the 
Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah; 
Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico; Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
Isleta, New Mexico; Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico; Pueblo of Laguna, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Nambe, New Mexico; Pueblo of Picuris, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Felipe, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of San Ildefonso, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Juan, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Sandia, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo 
of Santa Clara, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santo Domingo, New Mexico; Pueblo 
of Taos, New Mexico; Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico; Pueblo of Zia, New 
Mexico; Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, 
Colorado; Ute Mountain Tribe of the Ute Mountain Reservation, Colorado, 
New Mexico & Utah; Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas; and Zuni Tribe of 
the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico.

    Dated: July 24, 2006
Sherry Hutt
Manager, National NAGPRA Program
[FR Doc. E6-13602 Filed 8-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S