[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 4, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 23807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10367]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: Denver Museum of Nature & 
Science, Denver, CO

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 
completion of an inventory of human remains in the possession of the 
Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO. The human remains were 
removed from Pettis County, MO.
    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 Denver 
Museum of Nature & Science professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Osage Nation, Oklahoma.
    In 1933, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals 
were removed from a mound burial context four miles northwest of 
Sedalia, Pettis County, MO, by G.D. Householder. Householder donated 
the individuals to the museum at some point thereafter. In 1994, the 
human remains were found in the museum's collections during an 
inventory, and then formally accessioned (DMNS catalogue numbers 
A1991.1 and A1991.2). The human remains were originally determined to 
be culturally unidentifiable. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on physical analysis, the human remains are determined to be 
Native American. Archeological evidence suggests that Pettis County 
mound sites generally date to the Mississippian nucleation horizon 
(A.D. 1350-1650). Oral tradition and historical documentation-supported 
by geographical, linguistic, folkloric, archeological evidence, and 
expert opinion-indicate that Pettis County has long been a part of the 
Osage traditional ancestral homelands and hunting territory. After 
consultation with the Osage Nation, Oklahoma, the museum reasonably 
believes that there is a shared group identity between the Osage people 
and the people of these ancient mounds.
    Officials of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 2001 (9)-(10), the human remains described 
above represent the physical remains of two individuals of Native 
American ancestry. Officials of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science 
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 Osage Nation, 
Oklahoma.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Dr. Chip 
Colwell-Chanthaphonh, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado 
Blvd., Denver, CO 80205, telephone (303) 370-6378, before June 3, 2010. 
Repatriation of the human remains to the Osage Nation, Oklahoma may 
proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is responsible for notifying 
the Osage Nation, Oklahoma that this notice has been published.

    Dated: April 14, 2010.
David Tarler,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-10367 Filed 5-3-10; 8:45 am]
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