[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32592-32593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14112]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-18273]; [PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of the Interior, 
National Park Service, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Page, AZ

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has completed an inventory of 
human remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with the 
appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has 
determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human 
remains and associated funerary objects and present-day Indian tribes 
or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives 
of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in 
this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human 
remains and associated funerary objects should submit a written request 
to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. If no additional requestors 
come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects 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 
request transfer of control of these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should submit a written request with information in 
support of the request to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area at the 
address in this notice by July 9, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Todd Brindle, Superintendent, Glen Canyon National 
Recreation Area, P.O. Box 1507, Page, AZ 86040, telephone (928) 608-
6200, 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. 3003, of the completion of an inventory of human remains and 
associated funerary objects under the control of the U.S. Department of 
the Interior, National Park Service, Glen Canyon National Recreation 
Area, Page, AZ. The human remains and associated funerary objects were 
removed from within the boundaries of Glen Canyon National Recreation 
Area, in Garfield, Kane, and San Juan Counties, 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 
Superintendent, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Consultation

    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Glen Canyon 
National Recreation Area professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Havasupai Tribe of the Havasupai Reservation, 
Arizona; Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Hualapai Indian Tribe of the Hualapai 
Indian Reservation, Arizona; Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians of the 
Kaibab Indian Reservation, Arizona; Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico, 
& Utah; Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico (previously listed as the Pueblo of 
San Juan); Pueblo of Nambe, New Mexico; Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico; 
San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe of Arizona; Ute Mountain Tribe of the 
Ute Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New Mexico, & Utah; and Zuni Tribe 
of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico.

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1969, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed from site NA10555 in San Juan County, UT, during 
unauthorized excavations by park visitors and subsequent inspection of 
the site by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area officials. No known 
individuals were identified. The 50 associated funerary objects are 2 
cradleboards, 1 frame, 4 pieces of padding, 2 hoods, 1 cloth, 1 animal 
hide, 1 blanket, 1 blanket fragment, 3 pieces of worked wood, 1 
tumpstrap, 14 pieces of cordage, 2 pieces of raw fiber, 2 bundles, 1 
rope segment, 2 knots, 3 sandals, 1 ladle fragment, 7 squash seeds, and 
1 Kayenta Black-on-white bowl.
    The cradleboard construction style and the associated ceramics 
indicate that the remains are Kayenta Ancestral Puebloan and are dated 
between A.D. 1200 and 1250.
    In 1975, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed from site NA14080 in San Juan County, UT by a park 
visitor. No known individuals were identified. The one associated 
funerary object is a yucca knot.
    Site NA14080 is a one room structure whose style of masonry 
architecture indicates occupation during the Puebloan period (A.D. 800-
1300) and association with the Kayenta culture.
    In 1976 and 1977, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from site 42SA5379 in San Juan County, UT, 
during legally authorized excavations. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Site 42SA5379 is a single habitation room on an alluvial terrace. 
Artifact types and radiocarbon dating identify the site as Kayenta or 
Mesa Verde Ancestral Puebloan, dated between A.D. 1000 and 1300.
    In 1983, human remains representing, at minimum, three individuals 
were removed from site 42KA2661 in Kane County, UT, after the site was 
inundated and disturbed by high water levels in Lake Powell. Human 
remains found on the surface by park visitors were turned over to Glen 
Canyon National Recreation Area officials and additional remains were 
removed during subsequent legally authorized excavations. No known 
individuals were identified. The 39 associated funerary objects are 1 
projectile point, 1 knife (made up of two fragments, 9 biface 
fragments, 1 piece of debitage, 2 shell beads, 24 pieces of cordage, 
and 1 yucca knot.

[[Page 32593]]

    Site 42KA2661 is located in an alcove in the vertical face of a 
Navajo sandstone cliff and was used solely for burials. The associated 
funerary objects and radiocarbon dating identify the site as 
Basketmaker II, dated between 790 and 275 B.C.
    In 1983, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from site 42SA22786 in San Juan County, UT, by park 
visitors. The human remains were turned over to the New Mexico Office 
of the Medical Investigator, which contacted Glen Canyon National 
Recreation Area officials. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 
archeologists subsequently undertook archeological excavations at the 
burial location. No known individuals were identified. The 210 
associated artifacts are 190 segments of cordage (161 feather-wrapped, 
20 probable cotton, 9 yucca), 1 corn cob, 11 bundles of yucca fiber, 
and 8 feather tufts.
    The manufacturing technique of the various cordage pieces and the 
other organic remains from the burial are consistent with cultural 
material from the Kayenta Ancestral Puebloan tradition, which dates 
between A.D. 800 and 1300. Radiocarbon dating of the burial corresponds 
to this time period as well.
    In 1985, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from site 42GA3051 in Garfield County, UT, during a 
legally authorized archeological survey by Northern Arizona University. 
The single piece of human cranial bone was collected from the surface 
of the site. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Ceramic types on the surface at 42GA3051 suggest a Fremont and/or 
Ancestral Puebloan identification for the site, dating between A.D. 
1000 and 1300.
    Evidence demonstrating continuity between the prehistoric 
Basketmaker, Ancestral Puebloan, and Fremont cultures and the modern 
Hopi and Zuni tribes includes similarities in material culture, 
architectural styles, and mortuary practices, as well as oral 
histories. Recent studies by physical anthropologists also indicate a 
close biological relationship among these prehistoric culture groups 
and the modern Hopi and Zuni peoples. Specific material culture that 
links the prehistoric and modern groups includes textiles and painted 
ceramic vessels, which are characterized by distinctive methods of 
manufacture and design styles. Architectural styles, masonry 
techniques, and certain structure types suggest cultural continuity 
between prehistoric and modern groups. Continuity in mortuary 
practices, including interment in a flexed or semi-flexed position 
within structures or in prepared cists within alcoves; preparation of 
burials by wrapping in textiles; and the inclusion of offerings such as 
utilitarian tools, ornaments, and painted ceramic vessels that held 
food and water also support cultural affiliation.
    Hopi and Zuni oral histories indicate their ancestors lived in the 
region now within and adjacent to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. 
At least three Hopi clans lived near Navajo Mountain and Rainbow Bridge 
and in the adjacent canyon systems along the Colorado and San Juan 
Rivers prior to migrating southeast to join other clans at the modern 
Hopi villages on southern Black Mesa. Numerous habitation sites and 
shrines are recognized by those Hopi clans, some of which are still 
visited to make offerings or collect plants and minerals. Distinctive 
rock art elements or panels are also referenced by oral history and 
clan traditions.
    Zuni oral history indicates that after emergence into this world, 
medicine societies migrated northward along the east side of the 
Colorado River and then eastward, eventually meeting other Zuni people 
at their current homeland. Sites along this route, now within or 
adjacent to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, are important in Zuni 
ceremonial traditions because they are affiliated with medicine 
societies.

Determinations Made by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

    Officials of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area have determined 
that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 11 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 300 objects 
described in this notice 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 Hopi 
Tribe of Arizona and the 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 
request transfer of control of these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should submit a written request with information in 
support of the request to Todd Brindle, Superintendent, Glen Canyon 
National Recreation Area, P.O. Box 1507, Page, AZ 86040, telephone 
(928) 608-6200, email [email protected], by July 9, 2015. After that 
date, if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of 
control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the 
Hopi Tribe of Arizona and the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New 
Mexico may proceed.
    Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is responsible for notifying 
the Havasupai Tribe of the Havasupai Reservation, Arizona; Hopi Tribe 
of Arizona; Hualapai Indian Tribe of the Hualapai Indian Reservation, 
Arizona; Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians of the Kaibab Indian 
Reservation, Arizona; Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico, & Utah; Ohkay 
Owingeh, New Mexico (previously listed as the Pueblo of San Juan); 
Pueblo of Nambe, New Mexico; Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico; San Juan 
Southern Paiute Tribe of Arizona; Ute Mountain Tribe of the Ute 
Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New Mexico, & Utah; and Zuni Tribe of 
the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico that this notice has been published.

     Dated: May 6, 2015.
Mariah Soriano,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2015-14112 Filed 6-8-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-50-P