[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 15, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35010-35012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14764]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[2253-665]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Colorado Historical Society 
(History Colorado), Denver, CO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Colorado Historical Society has completed an inventory of 
human remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with the 
appropriate Indian Tribes, and has determined that there is a cultural 
affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects 
and present-day Indian Tribes. Representatives of any Indian Tribe that 
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains and 
associated funerary objects may contact the Colorado Historical 
Society. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects to the Indian Tribes stated below may occur if no additional 
claimants come forward.

DATES: Representatives of any Indian Tribe that believes it has a 
cultural affiliation with the human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact the Colorado Historical Society at the address 
below by July 15, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Bridget Ambler, Curator of Material Culture, Colorado 
Historical Society, 1560 Broadway, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80202, 
telephone (303) 866-2303.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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/control of the Colorado 
Historical Society (History Colorado), Denver, CO. The human remains 
and associated funerary objects were removed from Costilla, La Plata, 
and Montezuma Counties, CO, and San Juan County, UT.
    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.

Consultation

    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Colorado 
Historical Society professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Navajo Nation, Arizona, 
New Mexico & Utah; Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico; Pueblo of Acoma, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico; Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico; Pueblo of Nambe, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
Pojoaque, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa 
Clara, New Mexico; Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico; Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo 
of Texas; and the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico. The 
Kewa Pueblo, New Mexico (formerly the Pueblo of Santo Domingo); Pueblo 
of Cochiti, New Mexico; Pueblo of Picuris, New Mexico; Pueblo of San 
Felipe, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Ildefonso, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
Sandia, New Mexico; Pueblo of Taos, New Mexico; and the Pueblo of Zia, 
New Mexico, were invited to consult, but did not send representatives.

[[Page 35011]]

History and Description of the Remains

    In July 1990, human remains representing a minimum of 10 
individuals were removed from Pock's Garden Site (5MT.10851), in 
Montezuma County, CO. The site is located on private property. The 
landowner discovered the remains and later notified the Colorado State 
Archaeologist. Subsequently, under the direction of Dr. Calvin H. 
Jennings, the Colorado State University (CSU) Field School, 
investigated and transferred the individuals to CSU, Fort Collins, CO. 
In May 2006, Dr. Jason LaBelle of CSU transferred the individuals to 
the Colorado Historical Society (identified as Office of Archaeology 
and Historic Preservation (OAHP) Case Number 16). No known individuals 
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Osteological analysis by CSU determined that the individuals are of 
Native American ancestry. Dr. Jennings documented two kiva depressions, 
diagnostic of Ancient Puebloan sites dating from A.D. 750 to A.D. 1300.
    From 2004 to 2008, human remains representing a minimum of 15 
individuals were removed from the Darkmold Site (5LP.4991), in La Plata 
County, CO, by Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO, pursuant to a state 
permit and under the direction of Mona Charles, Director of the 
Archaeological Field School. The site is located on private property. 
In 2009, Fort Lewis College delivered the final set of remains to the 
Colorado Historical Society (OAHP Case Number 156). No known 
individuals were identified. The four associated funerary objects are 
three stone beads and a notched animal bone.
    Fort Lewis College conducted an archeological field school at the 
Darkmold Site from 1998 to 2008. There are 26 individuals and 111 
associated funerary objects also removed from this site that were 
affiliated to the 21 present-day Pueblos and reported in a Notice of 
Inventory Completion previously published in the Federal Register (69 
FR 68162-68169, November 23, 2004). Osteological analysis by the Fort 
Lewis College and Paul Sandberg, contract osteologist for the Colorado 
Historical Society, determined that the individuals are of Native 
American ancestry. Radiocarbon dates for the site returned a date range 
of 360 B.C. to A.D. 500, consistent with Basketmaker II chronology. 
Multiple Ancient Puebloan sites are present in the site vicinity. The 
associated funerary objects and burial context indicate Ancient 
Puebloan cultural practices.
    In May 2000, human remains representing a minimum of two 
individuals were removed from private property (5LP.5748), in La Plata 
County, CO, by staff from the Fort Lewis College pursuant to state 
permit. They were eroding from a steep cut bank behind the landowner's 
garage. In July 2001, they were transferred to the Colorado Historical 
Society (OAHP Case Number 163). No known individuals were identified. 
One kernel of corn was recovered from the excavation near the 
individual, but is not considered an associated funerary object. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Osteological analysis by Fort Lewis College determined that the 
individuals are of Native American ancestry. Radiocarbon dates for the 
site returned a date range of 170 B.C. to A.D. 230, consistent with 
Basketmaker II chronology. Multiple Ancient Puebloan sites are present 
in the site vicinity. Burial context is consistent with Ancient 
Puebloan cultural practices.
    Between 1994 and 2004, human remains representing a minimum of 16 
individuals were removed from Mitchell Springs (5MT.10991), in 
Montezuma County, CO, by staff from Glendale Community College and the 
landowner pursuant to a state permit. The site is located on private 
property. All 16 individuals were transferred to the Colorado 
Historical Society, with the final transfer occurring in 2008 (OAHP 
Case Number 222). No known individuals were identified. The 10 
associated funerary objects are partial and complete Black-on-White 
ceramic vessels, including three with Piedra and Cortez designs, 
diagnostically associated with the Pueblo I and Pueblo II Ancient 
Puebloan culture periods.
    Osteological analysis by Dr. Linda Smith, Glendale Community 
College, and Paul Sandberg, contract osteologist for the Colorado 
Historical Society, determined that the individuals are of Native 
American ancestry. Ceramic cross-dating indicates a date range from 
A.D. 750 to A.D. 1020, consistent with Ancient Puebloan occupations. 
Multiple Ancient Puebloan sites are present in the site vicinity. The 
associated funerary objects and burial context are consistent with 
Ancient Puebloan cultural practices.
    In June 2005, human remains representing a minimum of two 
individuals were removed from private property (5LP.7853), in La Plata 
County, CO. They were discovered by workers during the construction of 
a subdivision. OAHP staff investigated the burials and the individuals 
were transferred to the Colorado Historical Society in November 2005 
(OAHP Case Number 231). No known individuals were identified. The three 
associated funerary objects are one lot of ceramic sherds (representing 
two decorated Chapin bowls, possibly Rosa Gray) and a third 
unidentified vessel.
    Osteological analysis by Beth Conour, contract osteologist for the 
Colorado Historical Society, determined that the individuals are of 
Native American ancestry. Ceramic cross-dating indicates a date range 
from A.D. 500-900, consistent with the Basketmaker III/Pueblo I 
periods. Multiple Ancient Puebloan sites are present in the site 
vicinity. Associated artifacts and burial context are consistent with 
Ancient Puebloan cultural practices.
    In approximately 1958, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from a location near the Trinchera Ranch, in 
Costilla County, CO, by a private citizen. The son of the citizen 
transferred them to the Colorado Historical Society in February 2006 
(OAHP Case Number 236). No known individual was identified. The 14 
associated funerary objects are 1 Mancos Black-on-White bowl, 1 Piedra 
Black-on-White pitcher, 1 Black-on-White miniature vessel, 8 pottery 
fragments, 1 biface, 1 polishing stone, and 1 sandstone fragment.
    Osteological analysis by Paul Sandberg, contract osteologist for 
the Colorado Historical Society, determined that the individual is of 
Native American ancestry. The ceramics are diagnostically associated 
with the Pueblo I and Pueblo II Ancient Puebloan culture periods. 
Ceramic cross-dating suggest that the individual lived circa A.D. 750 
to A.D. 1020. Ancient Puebloan sites have been documented in the site 
vicinity. Associated funerary objects are consistent with Ancient 
Puebloan material culture.
    In November 2006, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from private property (5MT.8119), in Montezuma 
County, CO. The discovery was reported by a tourist and investigated by 
OAHP staff. The individual was transferred to the Colorado Historical 
Society (OAHP Case Number 242). The site was previously recorded and 
excavated in 1983-1984. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present, although several artifacts and 
architectural features were noted on the surface of the site. They 
included flaked stone debitage, fire-cracked rock, metate fragments, 
grayware potsherds, Mancos Black-on-White potsherds, and masonry walls.
    Ceramic cross-dating and dates reported from the 1983-1984 
excavation

[[Page 35012]]

give a date range of A.D. 1050-1125, consistent with Ancient Puebloan 
occupations during the Pueblo II period. Multiple Ancient Puebloan 
sites are present in the site vicinity. Surface artifacts and 
architectural features are consistent with Ancient Puebloan culture.
    In October 2006, human remains representing a minimum of seven 
individuals were removed from private property (5MR.11739), in 
Montezuma County, CO. Fragments of the human remains were discovered 
eroding from an arroyo wall on the property of Kelly Place, a privately 
owned inn and archeological preserve. OAHP staff investigated the 
discovery (OAHP Case Number 243). The remains were transferred to the 
Colorado Historical Society in February 2007. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Osteological analysis by Dr. Christie Turner determined that the 
individuals are of Native American ancestry. Multiple Ancient Puebloan 
sites are present in the site vicinity. Surface artifacts and 
architectural features are consistent with Ancient Puebloan culture 
from Pueblo II-III occupations (A.D. 950-1300).
    From approximately 1980 to 1985, human remains representing a 
minimum of one individual were removed from private property, in La 
Plata County, CO. In 2009, the individual was anonymously left at 
Anasazi Heritage Center with a note stating that the husband of the 
``donor'' had collected the remains while working during the 
construction of a subdivision north of Bayfield, CO. The individual was 
transferred to the Colorado Historical Society in May 2010 (OAHP Case 
Number 272). No known individual was identified. The six associated 
funerary objects are one partial Chapin Black-on-White pitcher, two 
partial Chapin Black-on-White bowls, one lot of Chapin grayware sherds, 
one scraper, and one river cobble.
    Osteological analysis by Cynthia Bradley determined that the 
individual is of Native American ancestry. Multiple Ancient Puebloan 
sites are present in the site vicinity. Associated funerary objects are 
consistent with Ancient Puebloan material culture. Ceramic cross-dating 
indicates that the individual may have lived the during Basketmaker 
III/Pueblo I periods (A.D. 500-900).
    In 1944, human remains representing a minimum of four individuals 
were bequeathed to the Colorado Historical Society by James Mellinger 
of Longmont, CO. They are reported to have been removed from the Grand 
Gulch area of San Juan County, UT (catalog numbers UHR.131/173, 
UHR.190, UHR.191, and UHR.192). The individual identified as UHR. 131/
173 was recovered ``on the open plain'' while the other three were 
recovered from ``a burial mound.'' No known individuals were 
identified. One side-notched projectile point is embedded in one 
individual's hip, but is not considered to be an associated funerary 
object. The two associated funerary objects are turkey feather blanket 
fragments (two of the four individuals are accompanied by these 
fragments).
    Osteological analysis by Paul Sandberg, contract osteologist for 
the Colorado Historical Society, determined that the individuals are of 
Native American ancestry. Numerous Basketmaker and Ancient Puebloan 
sites dating from 1200 B.C. to A.D.1200/1300 have been documented in 
the Grand Gulch area. Turkey feather blankets are consistent with 
Basketmaker and Ancient Puebloan populations starting from the 
Basketmaker II period. The embedded projectile point is diagnostic of 
Basketmaker II occupations in the Grand Gulch area.
    Available information indicates there is a traditional association 
between the Navajo Nation and the geographical area from where the 
individuals reported in this Notice of Inventory Completion were 
recovered. However, the preponderance of evidence, including site 
architecture, material culture, and continuity of key cultural traits 
through time, is associated with Ancient Puebloan occupations of the 
southwestern United States from the Basketmaker II period through the 
Pueblo III period (from approximately 1000 B.C. to A.D. 1300), and, 
thus predates the majority of extant evidence in the area for ancestors 
of the present-day Navajo Nation.
    Evidence was gathered from Tribal consultations, physical 
examination, survey of acquisition history, review of current available 
archeological, ethnographic, historical, anthropological and linguistic 
literature, and artifact analysis. Therefore, based on geographical, 
kinship, biological, archeological, anthropological, linguistic, oral 
tradition, folklore, historical and expert opinion, the cultural 
affiliation of these human remains and associated funerary objects is 
to the Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Kewa Pueblo, New Mexico; Ohkay Owingeh, 
New Mexico; 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 Sandia, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Clara, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Taos, New Mexico; Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Zia, New Mexico; Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas; and the Zuni 
Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico (hereinafter referred to as 
``The Tribes'').

Determinations Made by the Colorado Historical Society

    Officials of the Colorado Historical Society have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
above represent the physical remains of 59 individuals of Native 
American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 39 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.
     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 Tribes.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Representatives of any other Indian Tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and/or associated 
funerary objects should contact Bridget Ambler, Curator of Material 
Culture, Colorado Historical Society, 1560 Broadway, Suite 400, Denver, 
CO 80202, telephone (303) 866-2303, before July 15, 2011. Repatriation 
of the human remains and associated funerary objects to The Tribes may 
proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Colorado Historical Society is responsible for notifying The 
Tribes and the Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah, that this 
notice has been published.

    Dated: June 9, 2011.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2011-14764 Filed 6-14-11; 8:45 am]
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