[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 212 (Tuesday, November 3, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67788-67789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27988]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-19531; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Texas Archeological Research 
Laboratory, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Texas Archeological Research Laboratory, The University of 
Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, has completed an inventory of human 
remains, 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 present-day Indian tribes or 
Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of 
any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian

[[Page 67789]]

organization not identified in this notice that wish to request 
transfer of control of these human remains should submit a written 
request to the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory, The University 
of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX. If no additional requestors come 
forward, transfer of control of the human remains 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 should submit a 
written request with information in support of the request to the Texas 
Archeological Research Laboratory, The University of Texas at Austin, 
Austin, TX, at the address in this notice by December 3, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Marybeth Tomka, Head of Collections, Texas Archeological 
Research Laboratory, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University 
Station, R7500, Austin, TX 78712, telephone (512) 475-6853, 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 under 
the control of the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory, The 
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX. The human remains were 
removed from Crosby, Mitchell, and Nolan Counties, TX.
    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.

Consultation

    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Texas 
Archeological Research Laboratory, The University of Texas at Austin 
(TARL) professional staff, in consultation with representatives of the 
Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; and the Kiowa 
Indian Tribe of Oklahoma.

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1930, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual, 
were believed to be removed from site 41MH18, in Mitchell County, TX. 
Cyrus Ray and W.J. Van London visited an historic Native American 
burial previously found by Mr. Van London. The burial had apparently 
been disturbed before the joint visit. In a small, poorly documented 
collection, presumably made at the time of the visit, there are two 
extensively worn teeth, assumed to be from a single individual. No 
documentation exists concerning the transfer of these human remains to 
TARL. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    Diagnostic artifacts date the site to the mid-1800s. The location 
of the site is within the territory inhabited by both the Comanche and 
Kiowa Indians during the 1800s.
    In 1985, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed by a University of Texas archeologist from the Church Peak 
site (41NL8), in Nolan County, TX. This site was originally documented 
by E.B. Sayles. Although Mr. Sayles had collected some materials from 
the site, none can be specifically linked to these interments. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    The mode of interment and diagnostic artifacts found at the site 
date the site to the mid-1800s. The location of the site is within the 
territory inhabited by both the Comanche and Kiowa Indians during the 
1800s.
    In 1995, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were transferred to TARL from Midwestern State University (MSU). The 
human remains are represented by one cranium. The human remains had 
been found on an unspecified date during construction of a road and 
were given to Walter Dalquest at MSU. Some of the long bones and about 
25 copper bracelets had also been given to Dr. Dalquest, but by the 
time of the transfer to TARL they had been lost. The human remains came 
from an unspecified locality, apparently private land, several miles 
north of Crosbyton, in Crosby County, TX. No other details of the site 
are known. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    The preservation of the human remains and the recorded presence of 
copper wire bracelets date the site to the late 1800s. The location of 
the site is within the territory inhabited by both the Comanche and the 
Kiowa Indians during the 1800s.

Determinations Made by the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory, The 
University of Texas at Austin

    Officials of the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory, The 
University of Texas at Austin have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of four individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     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 Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Comanche 
Nation, Oklahoma; and the Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma.

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 should submit a 
written request with information in support of the request to Marybeth 
Tomka, Head of Collections, Texas Archeological Research Laboratory, 
The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, R7500, Austin, 
TX 78712, telephone (512) 475-6853, email 
[email protected], by December 3, 2015. After that date, 
if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of 
the human remains to the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Comanche Nation, 
Oklahoma; and the Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma.
    The Texas Archeological Research Laboratory, The University of 
Texas at Austin is responsible for notifying the Apache of Oklahoma; 
Comanche of Oklahoma; and the Kiowa of Oklahoma that this notice has 
been published.

    Dated: October 6, 2015.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2015-27988 Filed 11-2-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-50-P