[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50942-50943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-20222]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-16112; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: U.S. Department of 
the Interior, National Park Service, Aztec Ruins National Monument, 
Aztec, NM

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 
Aztec Ruins National Monument, in consultation with the appropriate 
Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the 
cultural items listed in this notice meet the definition of 
unassociated funerary objects. Lineal descendants or representatives of 
any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this 
notice that wish to claim these cultural items should submit a written 
request to Aztec Ruins National Monument. If no additional claimants 
come forward, transfer of control of the cultural items to the lineal 
descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in 
this notice may proceed.

DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or 
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
claim these cultural items should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to Aztec Ruins National Monument at 
the address in this notice by September 25, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Lawrence Turk, Superintendent, Aztec Ruins National 
Monument, 84 Road 2900 (Ruins Road), Aztec, NM 87410, telephone (505) 
334-6174 x222, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is here given in accordance with the 
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 
U.S.C. 3005, of the intent to repatriate cultural items under the 
control of the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 
Aztec Ruins National Monument, Aztec, NM, that meet the definition of 
unassociated funerary objects under 25 U.S.C. 3001.
    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 
Superintendent, Aztec Ruins National Monument.

History and Description of the Cultural Items

    At an unknown date, five cultural items were removed from an 
unknown location in San Juan County, NM. In 1953, the items were 
donated to Aztec Ruins National Monument by Sherman Howe. Catalog 
records indicate that the items were found in a burial. No information 
is available regarding the whereabouts of any associated human remains. 
The five unassociated funerary objects are one Mesa Verde Black-on-
White ceramic mug, one Black-on-White ceramic ladle, one corrugated 
ceramic culinary jar, and two Black-on-White ceramic bowls.
    At an unknown date, one cultural item was removed from Haymie Ranch 
in San Juan County, NM. The item and associated human remains were 
donated to Aztec Ruins National Monument in 1960 by Esaias Haymie. The 
human remains were repatriated in 1998. The one unassociated funerary 
object is a Mesa Verde Black-on-White ceramic canteen.
    At an unknown date, one cultural item was removed from LA 45 West 
Ruin in San Juan County, NM. Catalog records indicate that the item was 
likely removed from a burial but no human remains have been found. The 
one unassociated funerary object is a Mesa Verde Black-on-White ceramic 
bowl.
    In 1934, four cultural items were removed from LA 45 West Ruin in 
San Juan County, NM. Associated human remains were repatriated in 1998. 
The four unassociated funerary objects are one Mesa Verde Black-on-
White ceramic cup, two Black-on-White ceramic bowls, and one corrugated 
ceramic culinary jar.
    In 1953, 29 cultural items were removed from LA 45 Hubbard Mound in 
San Juan County, NM. Associated human remains were repatriated in 1998. 
The 29 unassociated funerary objects are 1 bone tube, 1 Mesa Verde 
Black-on-White ceramic bowl, 1 Mesa Verde Black-on-White ceramic scoop, 
and 26 Black-on-White ceramic sherds.
    The major occupation in and around Aztec Ruins National Monument 
has been well documented since the beginning of the 20th century in 
archeological sources as dating to the Pueblo II-Pueblo III period 
(circa A.D. 900-1300). A cultural affiliation study and subsequent 
tribal consultation indicate that the Hopi Tribe of Arizona and Zuni 
Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico considers Aztec Ruins 
National Monument to be within their ancestral homeland. Oral 
traditions of ancestral puebloan peoples, including the Hopi Tribe of 
Arizona and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico, support a 
history of migrations through and occupation of Aztec Ruins National 
Monument and surrounding areas. The cultural items were identified by 
Hopi and Zuni cultural specialists as funerary objects used in Hopi and 
Zuni burial practices based upon the specific forms and ceramic 
designs, as well as archeological contexts.

Determinations Made by Aztec Ruins National Monument

    Officials of Aztec Ruins National Monument have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(B), the 40 cultural items 
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 and are believed, by a preponderance of the 
evidence, to have been removed from a specific burial site of a Native 
American individual.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the 
unassociated funerary objects and the Hopi Tribe of Arizona and Zuni 
Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim 
these cultural items should submit a written request with information 
in support of the claim to Lawrence Turk, Superintendent, Aztec Ruins 
National Monument, 84 Road 2900 (Ruins Road), Aztec, NM 87410, 
telephone (505) 334-6174 x222, email [email protected], by September 
25, 2014. After that date, if no additional claimants have come 
forward, transfer of control of the unassociated funerary objects to 
the Hopi Tribe of Arizona and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New 
Mexico may proceed.
    Aztec Ruins National Monument is responsible for notifying the Hopi 
Tribe of Arizona; Jicarilla Apache Nation, New Mexico; Kewa Pueblo, New 
Mexico (previously listed as the Pueblo of Santo Domingo); Kiowa Indian 
Tribe of Oklahoma; Mescalero Apache Tribe of

[[Page 50943]]

the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico; Navajo Nation, Arizona, New 
Mexico & Utah; Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico (previously listed as the 
Pueblo of San Juan); 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; 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 the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New 
Mexico, that this notice has been published.

    Dated: August 18, 2014.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2014-20222 Filed 8-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-P