[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 104 (Thursday, May 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30972-30973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11990]


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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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    Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves 
Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the completion of 
the inventory of human remains in the possession of the Texas 
Archeological Research Laboratory, The University of Texas at Austin, 
Austin, TX. The human remains were removed from the Spiro site, 41LF42, 
LeFlore County, OK.
    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. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Texas 
Archeological Research Laboratory, The University of Texas at Austin 
professional staff and representatives of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma 
and Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie), 
Oklahoma.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from Craig Mound at the Spiro Site, 41LF42, 
LeFlore County, OK. The date and circumstances surrounding the removal 
is unknown, but probably relate to the looting of the site that was 
occurring at the time. In 1936, the human remains were donated to the 
Texas Memorial Museum at The University of Texas at Austin by W.A. 
Rikard. At an unknown date, the human remains were transferred to the 
collections at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory. No known 
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    It is believed by many archeologists that the Caddo and Wichita 
were both culturally descended from the Spiro peoples. The site is 
located within an area archeologically and ethnographically considered 
to have been occupied by a group ancestral to both the Caddo and 
Wichita. Based upon geographical, biological, archeological, historic 
evidence, and expert opinion, officials of the Texas Archeological 
Research Laboratory reasonably believe the Caddo and Wichita are 
culturally affiliated with the human remains. Descendants of the Caddo 
are members of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. Descendants of the Wichita 
are members of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, Oklahoma.
    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 one individual of 
Native American ancestry. Officials of the Texas Archeological Research 
Laboratory also 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 Caddo Nation 
of Oklahoma and Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, Oklahoma.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Dr. 
Darrell Creel, Director, Texas Archeological Research Laboratory, The 
University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station R7500, Austin, TX 
78712-0714, telephone (512) 471-6007, before June 30, 2008. 
Repatriation of the human remains to the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and

[[Page 30973]]

Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, Oklahoma may proceed after that date if 
no additional claimants come forward.
    The Texas Archeological Research Laboratory is responsible for 
notifying the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and Wichita and Affiliated 
Tribes, Oklahoma that this notice has been published.

    Dated: March 31, 2008
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8-11990 Filed 5-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S