[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62094-62096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26332]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-19368; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Michigan, Ann 
Arbor, MI

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The University of Michigan 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 no cultural affiliation between the human 
remains and associated funerary objects and any present-day Indian 
tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. 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 the 
University of Michigan. If no additional requestors come forward, 
transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects to the Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in 
this notice may proceed.

DATES: 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 the University of Michigan at the address in this notice 
by November 16, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Ben Secunda, NAGPRA Project Manager, University of 
Michigan Office of Research, 4080 Fleming Building, 503 S. Thompson 
Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340, telephone (734) 647-9085, 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 University of 
Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. The human remains and associated funerary 
objects were removed from Leelanau, Missaukee, Montcalm, Muskegon, 
Newaygo, Oceana, and Otsego Counties, MI.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3) and 
43 CFR 10.11(d). 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 and associated funerary 
objects was made by the University of Michigan Museum of 
Anthropological Archaeology (UMMAA) professional staff in consultation 
with representatives of the Bay Mills Indian Community, Michigan; 
Chippewa Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy's Reservation, Montana; Grand 
Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Michigan; Keweenaw Bay 
Indian Community, Michigan; Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior 
Chippewa Indians, Michigan; Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, 
Michigan; Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan; Saginaw 
Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan; and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of 
Chippewa Indians, Michigan.
    Additional requests for consultation were sent to the Bad River 
Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians of the Bad River 
Reservation, Wisconsin; Bois Forte Band (Nett Lake) of the Minnesota 
Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota; Fond du Lac Band of the Minnesota Chippewa 
Tribe, Minnesota; Grand Portage Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, 
Minnesota; Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians 
of Wisconsin; Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of 
the Lac du Flambeau Reservation of Wisconsin; Leech Lake Band of the 
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota; Mille Lacs Band of the Minnesota 
Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota; Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma; Red Cliff Band of 
Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin; Red Lake Band of Chippewa 
Indians, Minnesota; Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Wisconsin; St. Croix 
Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin; Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians 
of North Dakota; and the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa 
Tribe, Minnesota.
    Hereafter, all tribes listed in this section are referred to as 
``The Invited and Consulted Tribes.''

History and Description of the Remains

    On an unknown date in 1969, human remains representing, at minimum, 
five individuals were removed from the Sheridan site (20LU23) in 
Leelanau County, MI. A construction crew unearthed remains and objects 
while working near Sleeping Bear Bay. They contacted archeologists from 
the UMMAA who conducted a salvage excavation and collected human 
remains and objects from the site. The remains are from 1 child, 1 
adolescent, 1 young adult male, and 2 adult males. No date or time 
period could be established for the site. No known individuals were 
identified. The 3 associated funerary objects present are 2 lots of 
soil and 1 oxidized metal nail fragment.
    In the summer of 1925, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from the Aetna Mound 1 site (20MA33) in 
Missaukee County, MI. UMMAA archeologists excavated the smaller of two 
burial mounds located on a nature preserve owned by the University of 
Michigan. They collected the human remains of an adult male buried in a 
tightly flexed position from the center of the mound. Charcoal was 
found near the human remains and two stones had been placed on the 
individual's chest. (To date, the stones have not been located.) The 
human remains are dated to the Woodland Period (850 B.C.-A.D. 1400) 
based on mortuary treatment. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    In the summer of 1925, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from the Aetna Mound 2 site (20MA10) in 
Missaukee County, MI. UMMAA archeologists excavated the larger of two 
burial mounds located on a nature preserve owned by the University of 
Michigan. They collected a small amount of cremated human remains of an 
adult of indeterminate sex with several other objects from the center 
of the mound. The human remains are dated to the Woodland Period (850 
B.C.-A.D. 1400) based on mortuary treatment. No known individuals were 
identified. The 6 associated funerary objects present are 2 worked 
animal bone fragments, 1 chert flake, 1 chert fragment, 1 small stone 
gorget, and 1 copper axe.

[[Page 62095]]

    On an unknown date in 1960, human remains representing, at minimum, 
three individuals were removed from the Rossman site (20ML4) in 
Montcalm County, MI. State highway workers reported human remains had 
surfaced in a borrow pit they were using. The workers collected the 
human remains, along with multiple objects, and donated them to the 
UMMAA. UMMAA archeologists visited the site, but only found two fire 
pits in the area. The human remains are from 1 juvenile, 1 adult 
female, and 1 adult possible male. The human remains have been dated to 
the Late Woodland Period (A.D. 500-1400) based on a ceramic sherd 
collected from the site; however, a Busycon contrarium shell also 
collected from the site is typically associated with Late Archaic to 
Middle Woodland Period burials (Glacial Kame and Hopewell Periods). No 
known individuals were identified. The 6 associated funerary objects 
present are 1 Busycon contrarium shell, 4 shell fragments, and 1 
ceramic sherd.
    On an unknown date in 1959, human remains representing, at minimum, 
one individual were removed from the Haieght Mound site (20MU20) in 
Muskegon County, MI. With construction activities posing an imminent 
threat to the mound, UMMAA archeologists and members of the Wright L. 
Coffinberry Society conducted a salvage excavation of the site. They 
collected the remains of a young adult female buried in a flexed 
position from the center of the mound and donated the remains to the 
UMMAA in 1964. The remains are dated to the Woodland Period (850 B.C.-
A.D. 1400) based on mortuary treatment. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date in 1954, human remains representing, at minimum, 
two individuals were removed from the Parson's Mound site (20NE100) in 
Newaygo County, MI. Members of the Wright L. Coffinberry Society 
excavated this site that consists of 5 mounds of varying heights and 
sizes. Human remains were collected from 3 of the 5 mounds. Human 
remains from 1 of these 3 mounds were donated to the UMMAA in 1964. It 
is not known who possesses the human remains collected from the other 2 
mounds. The human remains in the UMMAA's possession are of an adult 
male and an adult of indeterminate sex. No objects were found in the 3 
mounds that contained human remains. The human remains are dated to the 
Middle Woodland Period (300 B.C.-A.D. 500) based on mortuary treatment. 
No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects 
are present.
    In May 1965, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from the Brunett Mound site (20NE104) in Newaygo County, 
MI. UMMAA archeologists excavated this site that consists of a single 
mound with a circular burial pit at its center. The pit contained a 
bundle burial of a young adult female, accompanied by multiple objects. 
Among the objects were 2 ceramic vessels containing deer and fish 
bones. The human remains are dated to the Early Late Woodland Period 
(A.D. 500-700) based on diagnostic artifacts from the site. No known 
individuals were identified. The 25 associated funerary objects present 
are 1 ceramic Wayne ware vessel, 1 lot ceramic sherds, 1 biface, 1 
scraper, 10 turtle shell fragments, 1 lot of fish bones, 1 lot of 
animal bones and shell fragments, 8 chert fragments, and 1 lot of clay 
with animal bone fragments.
    In May 1966, human remains representing, at minimum, five 
individuals were removed from the Carrigan Mound B site (20NE111) in 
Newaygo County, MI. Carrigan Mound B is 1 mound in a 5-mound group 
collectively referred to as the Carrigan-Croton Dam Mound Complex. 
UMMAA archeologists and students excavated this mound that contained a 
burial pit near its center. A charred log was found at the top of the 
burial pit. The bottom of the burial pit contained cremated and non-
cremated human remains within an area of burnt red sand. The human 
remains are from 1 cremated juvenile, 3 cremated adults of 
indeterminate sex, and 1 non-cremated adult of indeterminate sex. The 
human remains are dated to the Early Woodland Period (850-300 B.C.) 
based on Carbon 14 dating of the charred log. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1965, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from the Croton Dam Mound A site (20NE105) in Newaygo 
County, MI. A UMMAA archeologist and students excavated this mound that 
contained an irregular oval fire pit feature with cremated remains of 
an adult of indeterminate sex. The human remains are dated to the Early 
Woodland Period (850-300 B.C.) based on dating for the Carrigan Mound B 
site (20NE111), which is part of the same mound complex. No known 
individuals were identified. The 124 associated funerary objects 
present are 1 lithic blade, 86 lithic bifaces, 10 ovate lithic bifaces, 
3 lithic scrapers, 5 lithic preforms, 18 lithic debitage fragments, and 
1 copper needle.
    Between May 12 and 15, 1966, human remains representing, at 
minimum, two individuals were removed from the Croton Dam Mound B site 
(20NE112) in Newaygo County, MI. Members of the Newaygo County Chapter 
of the Michigan Archaeological Society, under the direction of UMMAA 
archeologists, excavated a central burial pit in this mound. Soil and 
cremated human remains of 2 adults of indeterminate sex were 
distributed evenly through the burial pit, commingled with small 
fragments of cremated faunal bone. The base of a stemmed projectile 
point was collected from the bottom of the burial pit. The human 
remains are dated to the Early Woodland Period (850-300 B.C.) based on 
dating for the Carrigan Mound B site (20NE111), which is part of the 
same mound complex. No known individuals were identified. The 1 
associated funerary object present is a projectile point base.
    In 1966, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from the Croton Dam Mound C site (20NE116) in Newaygo 
County, MI. Members of the Newaygo County Chapter of the Michigan 
Archaeological Society, under the direction of a UMMAA archeologist, 
excavated this mound that was the smallest of those that comprised the 
Carrigan-Croton Dam Mound Complex. Croton Dam Mound C contained a round 
burial pit near its center, capped with a layer of clay. A rolled 
copper bead was located on top of the clay cap. Cremated bone fragments 
of an adult of indeterminate sex, commingled cremated faunal bone, and 
heavily ochred sand were located under the clay cap. The human remains 
are dated to the Early Woodland Period (850-300 B.C.) based on dating 
for the Carrigan Mound B site (20NE111), which is part of the same 
mound complex. No known individuals were identified. The 3 associated 
funerary objects present are 1 copper tube bead and 2 worked deer 
phalanges (possibly awls).
    On an unknown date prior to 1924, human remains representing, at 
minimum, one individual were removed from the Cobmoosa Lake East site 
(20OA3) in Oceana County, MI. An amateur collector excavated one mound 
of a 3-mound group located near Cobmoosa Lake. He collected the human 
remains of a child, along with some objects, and sent them to the UMMAA 
in 1923. The human remains are dated to the Middle to Early Late 
Woodland Period (300 B.C.-A.D. 500) based on diagnostic artifacts 
collected from the site. No known individuals were

[[Page 62096]]

identified. The 6 associated funerary objects present are 1 lot of 
small shell and stone fragments, and 5 shell beads.
    In April 1937, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from the Ditchdiggers site (20OE22) in Otsego 
County, MI. Workers for the City of Gaylord unearthed the human remains 
while installing sewer lines. They contacted the Otsego County 
Sherriff. The Sherriff collected the human remains of a young adult 
female who had been buried, lying on her side, in an extended position. 
No date or time period could be established for the remains. No known 
individuals were identified. The 1 associated funerary object present 
is a worked faunal bone.

Determinations Made by the University of Michigan

    Officials of the University of Michigan have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice are Native American based on cranial morphology, dental 
traits, archeological context, and accession documentation.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 25 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 175 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), a relationship of shared 
group identity cannot be reasonably traced between the Native American 
human remains and associated funerary objects and any present-day 
Indian tribe.
     According to final judgments of the Indian Claims 
Commission or the Court of Federal Claims, the land from which the 
Native American human remains and associated funerary objects were 
removed is the aboriginal land of The Invited and Consulted Tribes.
     Treaties, Acts of Congress, or Executive Orders, indicate 
that the land from which the Native American human remains and 
associated funerary objects were removed is the aboriginal land of The 
Invited and Consulted Tribes.
     Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the disposition of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects may be to The Invited and 
Consulted Tribes.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    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 Dr. Ben 
Secunda, NAGPRA Project Manager, University of Michigan Office of 
Research, 4080 Fleming Building, 503 S. Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI 
48109-1340, telephone (734) 647-9085, email [email protected], by 
November 16, 2015. After that date, if no additional requestors have 
come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects and associated funerary objects to The Invited and 
Consulted Tribes may proceed.
    The University of Michigan is responsible for notifying The Invited 
and Consulted Tribes that this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 22, 2015.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2015-26332 Filed 10-14-15; 8:45 am]
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