[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 175 (Monday, September 11, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53473-53475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14935]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: University of North Carolina at 
Chapel Hill, Research Laboratories of Archaeology, Chapel Hill, NC

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves 
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the

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completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary 
objects in the control of the University of North Carolina at Chapel 
Hill, Research Laboratories of Archaeology, Chapel Hill, NC. The human 
remains and associated funerary objects were removed from Gaston, 
Randolph, Rockingham, and Stokes Counties, NC, and Henry County, VA.
    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 University 
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Research Laboratories of Archaeology 
professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Catawba 
Indian Nation; Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma; Eastern Band of Cherokee 
Indians of North Carolina; North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs; 
Tuscarora Nation of New York; and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee 
Indians in Oklahoma.

    In 1938, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals 
were removed from the Brick Yard site (31Rd3) on Cable Creek near 
Asheboro, Randolph County, NC, during a salvage excavation by an 
archeologist from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 
Research Laboratories of Archaeology. No known individuals were 
identified. The nine associated funerary objects are two lots of glass 
beads, one lot of copper fragments, one chipped stone drill, two 
fragmented bone tools, two chipped stone blades, and one lead ball.
    Based on archeological context, the human remains have been 
identified as Native American. Associated artifacts and the geographic 
location of the human remains indicate that they belong to the Caraway 
phase, approximately A.D. 1450-1710, which is associated with the 
Keyauwee tribe, which merged with the Catawba in the 18th century. The 
human remains are identified as likely culturally affiliated with the 
present-day Catawba Indian Nation.
    In 1966, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals 
were removed from the Hardins site (31Gs29) on the South Fork Catawba 
River near Hardins, Gaston County, NC, during highway salvage 
excavations by an archeologist from the University of North Carolina at 
Chapel Hill, Research Laboratories of Archaeology. No known individuals 
were identified. Four associated funerary objects were retained by the 
landowner and the highway project supervisor. The remaining two 
associated funerary objects are one stone discoidal and one stone spud.
    Based on archeological context, the human remains have been 
identified as Native American. The geographic location of the Hardins 
site is within the traditional territory of the Catawba; however, the 
associated artifacts indicate that the site was probably abandoned by 
A.D. 1500. Accordingly, the human remains are identified as likely 
culturally affiliated with the present-day Catawba Indian Nation.
    In 1966 and 1967, human remains representing a minimum of 51 
individuals were removed from the Madison Cemetery site (31Rk6) on the 
Dan River near Madison, Rockingham County, NC, during excavations by 
avocational archeologists. In 1983, the human remains and associated 
funerary objects were donated to the University of North Carolina at 
Chapel Hill, Research Laboratories of Archaeology. No known individuals 
were identified. The 102 associated funerary objects are 36 lots of 
glass beads and bead fragments, 27 lots of tubular copper beads and 
tinklers, 10 lots of twine and sinew, 7 copper ornaments, 4 lots of 
sheet-copper fragments, 3 lots of shell beads, 3 fragments of split-
cane matting, 3 clay pots, 2 clay pipes, 1 stone cup, 1 stone pipe, 1 
stone discoidal, 1 iron tool, 1 gun sideplate, 1 iron spike, and 1 
unidentifiable fragmented metal object.
    Between the 1960s and 1981, human remains representing a minimum of 
21 individuals were removed from Early Upper Saratown (31Sk1) on the 
Dan River near Walnut Cove, Stokes County, NC. Seven of the individuals 
were found in the late 1960s by avocational archeologists and given to 
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1983. The remaining 
14 individuals were removed during the course of a long-term excavation 
by archeologists from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 
Research Laboratories of Archaeology. No known individuals were 
identified. The 73 associated funerary objects are 36 lots of shell 
beads, 17 lots of bone beads, 2 lots of glass beads, 2 lots of copper 
beads, 1 lot of pearl beads, 1 lot of mica disks, 1 lot of cane matting 
fragments, 3 shell gorgets, 3 clay pots, 3 bone awls, 1 copper 
ornament, 1 shell scraper, 1 clay pipe fragment, and 1 bead-making kit.
    In 1964, human remains representing a minimum of three individuals 
were removed from the Rea No. 2 site (44Hr18) on the North Mayo River 
near Spencer, Henry County, VA, by members of the Patrick Henry Chapter 
of the Archeological Society of Virginia. In 1983, the human remains 
and associated funerary objects were donated to the University of North 
Carolina at Chapel Hill, Research Laboratories of Archaeology. No known 
individuals were identified. The three associated funerary objects are 
two clay pots and one lot of shell bead fragments.
    Based on archeological context, the human remains have been 
identified as Native American for the three sites described above. 
Associated artifacts and the geographic location of the Madison 
Cemetery, Early Upper Saratown, and Rea No. 2 sites indicate that the 
three sites belong to the Saratown phase, approximately A.D. 1450-1710. 
The Saratown phase is associated with the Sara tribe, which merged with 
the Catawba in the 18th century. Because the human remains are not from 
a historically identified Sara village, they are identified as likely 
culturally affiliated with the present-day Catawba Indian Nation.
    Between 1972 and 1981, human remains representing a minimum of 105 
individuals were removed from Upper Saratown (31Sk1a) on the Dan River 
near Walnut Cove, Stokes County, NC, during a long-term excavation by 
archeologists from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 
Research Laboratories of Archaeology. No known individuals were 
identified. The 488 associated funerary objects are 305 lots of glass 
beads, 30 lots of copper beads, 24 lots of shell beads, 23 lots of 
copper bells and bell fragments, 11 lots of copper fragments, 10 lots 
of bark or leather fragments, 8 lots of copper ornaments and ornament 
fragments, 8 lots of matting fragments, 6 lots of copper rings and ring 
fragments, 4 lots of copper hairpipes, 2 lots of bone beads, 2 lots of 
glass fragments, 1 lot of wood fragments, 11 clay pipes, 6 copper 
gorgets, 4 clay pots, 3 animal bones, 3 iron objects, 4 shell pins, 2 
cordage fragments, 2 ground stones, 2 iron knives, 2 iron scissors, 2 
metal spoons, 1 soil pedestal with preserved beadwork, 1 bone pin, 1 
clay dipper, 1 unidentified copper and wood object, 1 copper button, 1 
iron hoe, 1 lead shot, 1 mouth harp (fragmented), 1 safety pin 
fragment, 1 scraper, 1 stone celt, 1 stone drill, and 1 turtle shell 
cup.
    In 1967, human remains representing a minimum of three individuals 
were removed from the William Kluttz site (31Sk6), Stokes County, NC, 
during an

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archeological reconnaissance by archeologists from the University of 
North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Research Laboratories of Archaeology. 
The site had undergone looting and the archeological reconnaissance was 
conducted to assess the extent of damage at the site. No known 
individuals were identified. There is no evidence that the cultural 
items collected from the William Kluttz site were found in direct 
association with any of the removed human remains, but it is reasonable 
to believe that they are funerary objects. The six funerary objects are 
two lots of glass beads, one lot of shell beads, and three wire 
bracelets.
    In 1988, human remains representing a minimum of 14 individuals 
were removed from the William Kluttz site (31Sk6), Stokes County, NC, 
during excavations by archeologists from the University of North 
Carolina at Chapel Hill, Research Laboratories of Archaeology. No known 
individuals were identified. The 36 associated funerary objects are 9 
lots of glass beads, 5 lots of shell beads, 6 lots of brass buttons, 3 
lots of unidentified iron objects and fragments, 3 leather fragments, 2 
lead shot, 2 iron nails, 2 iron knives, 1 wire bracelet, 1 glass 
fragment, 1 brass buckle and loop, and 1 flintlock pistol.
    In 1988, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from Lower Saratown (31Rk1), on the Dan River near Eden, 
Rockingham County, NC, during an excavation by archeologists from the 
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Research Laboratories of 
Archaeology. No known individual was identified. The four associated 
funerary objects are three lots of copper beads and one lot of shell 
beads.
    Based on archeological context, the human remains from the three 
sites above have been identified as Native American. Associated 
artifacts and the geographic location of the Upper Saratown, William 
Kluttz, and Lower Saratown sites indicate that the sites belong to the 
Saratown phase, approximately A.D. 1450-1710, and are historically 
documented villages of the Sara tribe, which merged with the Catawba in 
the 18th century. Accordingly, the human remains are identified as 
culturally affiliated with the present-day Catawba Indian Nation.
    Officials of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains 
described above represent the physical remains of a minimum of 202 
individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the University of 
North Carolina at Chapel Hill also have determined that, pursuant to 25 
U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the 723 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill 
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 Catawba Indian Nation.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact Vincas P. Steponaitis, Director, Research 
Laboratories of Archaeology, University of North Carolina at Chapel 
Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3120, telephone (919) 962-3846, before 
October 11, 2006. Repatriation of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects to the Catawba Indian Nation may proceed after that 
date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is responsible for 
notifying the Catawba Indian Nation; Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma; Eastern 
Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina; North Carolina Commission 
of Indian Affairs; Tuscarora Nation of New York; and United Keetoowah 
Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: August 21, 2006
C. Timothy McKeown,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E6-14935 Filed 9-8-06; 8:45 am]
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