[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 20, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64503-64505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22618]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-21887; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Thomas Gilcrease Institute of 
American History and Art (Gilcrease Museum), Tulsa, OK

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art 
(Gilcrease Museum) 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 Gilcrease 
Museum. 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 Gilcrease Museum at the address in this notice by 
October 20, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Laura Bryant, Anthropology Collections Manager, Thomas 
Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art, 1400 N. Gilcrease 
Museum Road, Tulsa, OK 74127, telephone (918) 596-2747, 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 Gilcrease Museum, 
Tulsa, OK. The human remains and associated funerary objects were 
removed from Limestone and Morgan Counties, AL.
    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 was made by the 
Gilcrease Museum professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Cherokee Nation; the Eastern Band of Cherokee 
Indians; The Chickasaw Nation; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the 
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1954, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from likely one of these sites: 1LI27, 1LI49, 1LI52, or 
1LI53 (Soday site number 399) in Limestone County, AL. The exact 
location is unclear. The human remains were removed by Frank J. Soday, 
a collector and amateur archeologist. In 1982, the Thomas Gilcrease 
Museum Association purchased the Soday Collection, including these 
human remains, and subsequently donated the collection to the Gilcrease 
Museum. The human remains represent an adult, aged 36-55. No known 
individuals were identified. The 85 associated funerary objects are 1 
scraper, 8 pottery sherds, and 76 flint and stone tools.
    In 1951, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from Skeleton Island (Soday site number 401) in Limestone 
County, AL. The human remains were removed by Frank J. Soday, a 
collector and amateur archeologist. In 1982, the Thomas Gilcrease 
Museum Association purchased the Soday Collection, including these 
human remains, and subsequently donated the collection to the Gilcrease 
Museum. The human remains represent one adult, aged 36-55. No known 
individuals were identified. The 430 associated funerary objects are 3 
axes, 115 points, 8 sherds, 58 stone tools, 3 bone tools, and 243 
unworked-stones.
    In 1953, human remains representing, at minimum, 16 individuals 
were removed from Harbor Island West (Soday site number 417) in 
Limestone County, AL. The human remains were removed by Frank J. Soday, 
a collector and amateur archeologist. In 1982, the Thomas Gilcrease 
Museum Association purchased the Soday Collection, including these 
human remains, and subsequently donated the collection to the Gilcrease 
Museum. The human remains represent one juvenile male, aged 13-19; one 
female young adult and one infant in the same burial; four adults; 
three children; and six individuals of unknown age and sex. No known 
individuals were identified. The 140 associated funerary objects are 72 
sherds, 12 shell pieces, 44 stone tools, 3 partial ceramic pots, 1 
ceramic trowel, 1 bone piece, and 7 flint cobbles.
    In 1953, human remains representing, at minimum, four individuals 
were removed from Center Island East (Soday site number 423) in 
Limestone County, AL. The human remains were removed by Frank J. Soday, 
a collector and amateur archeologist. In 1982, the Thomas Gilcrease 
Museum Association purchased the Soday Collection, including these 
human remains, and subsequently donated the collection to the Gilcrease 
Museum. The human remains represent three females, aged 20-35, and one 
male, aged 36-55. No known individuals were identified. The 587 
associated funerary objects are 28 shells, 77 sherds, 476 stone tools 
and points, 1 stone palette, 1 round disk, and 4 faunal bone tools.
    In 1955, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from Soday, East Middle Quad/TVA (Soday site number 428) 
in Limestone County, AL. The human remains were removed by Frank J. 
Soday, a collector and amateur archeologist. In 1982, the Thomas 
Gilcrease Museum Association purchased the Soday Collection, including 
these human remains, and subsequently donated the collection to the 
Gilcrease Museum. The human remains represent one adult male, aged 36-
55. No known individuals were identified. The 3,806 associated funerary 
objects are 1,325 stone tools, 14 sherds, 831 worked stone objects, 145 
flakes, 561 points, 1 stone disc, 1 broken drill, 201 scrapers, 101 
knives, 625 stone objects, and 1 hammerstone.
    In 1952-1958, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from Strap Handle Island, Wheeler Lake (Soday 
site number 489) in Limestone County, AL. The human remains were 
removed by Frank J. Soday, a collector and amateur archeologist. In 
1982, the Thomas Gilcrease Museum Association

[[Page 64504]]

purchased the Soday Collection, including these human remains, and 
subsequently donated the collection to the Gilcrease Museum. The age 
and sex of the individual is unknown. No known individuals were 
identified. The 754 associated funerary objects are 4 discs, 86 sherds, 
1 faunal bone, 1 cup, 1 bone awl, 6 knives, 5 discoidals, 233 stone 
tools, 371 points, 3 shells, 6 celts, 8 flakes, 6 stone bowls, 19 
scrapers, 1 drill piece, 1 white cobble, 1 sandstone piece, and 1 
broken gorget.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from Bald Knob Cemetery/Folsom Graveyard (Soday 
site number 456) in Morgan County, AL. The human remains were removed 
by Frank J. Soday, a collector and amateur archeologist. In 1982, the 
Thomas Gilcrease Museum Association purchased the Soday Collection, 
including these human remains, and subsequently donated the collection 
to the Gilcrease Museum. The human remains represent one female adult, 
aged 36-55. No known individuals were identified. The 10 associated 
funerary objects are 2 scrapers, 3 points, and 5 stone objects.
    In 1952, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed from West Middle Quad, Decatur (Soday site number 435) in 
Morgan County, AL. The human remains were removed by Frank J. Soday, a 
collector and amateur archeologist. In 1982, the Thomas Gilcrease 
Museum Association purchased the Soday Collection, including these 
human remains, and subsequently donated the collection to the Gilcrease 
Museum. The human remains represent two females, aged 20-35. No known 
individuals were identified. The 1,245 associated funerary objects are 
777 stone objects, 454 points, 13 flakes, and 1 pestle.
    In 1957, human remains representing, at minimum, three individuals 
were removed from Chemstrand Island #1, Decatur (Soday site number 476) 
in Morgan County, AL. The human remains were removed by Frank J. Soday, 
a collector and amateur archeologist. In 1982, the Thomas Gilcrease 
Museum Association purchased the Soday Collection, including these 
human remains, and subsequently donated the collection to the Gilcrease 
Museum. No known individuals were identified. The 432 associated 
funerary objects are 95 stone tools and points, 54 sherds, and 283 
pieces of shell.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from Chemstrand, Harbor Island, Decatur (Soday 
site number 504) in Morgan County, AL. The human remains were removed 
by Frank J. Soday, a collector and amateur archeologist. In 1982, the 
Thomas Gilcrease Museum Association purchased the Soday Collection, 
including these human remains, and subsequently donated the collection 
to the Gilcrease Museum. The human remains represent an adult, aged 36-
55. No known individuals were identified. The 440 associated funerary 
objects are 4 points, 1 flake, 395 sherds, 1 quartz, 1 marble, 2 turtle 
shells, 12 daub structure fragments, 5 pottery supports, and 19 stone 
objects.
    In 1957, human remains representing, at minimum, five individuals 
were removed from Prater Field Mounds (Soday site number 570) in Morgan 
County, AL. The human remains were removed by Frank J. Soday, a 
collector and amateur archeologist. In 1982, the Thomas Gilcrease 
Museum Association purchased the Soday Collection, including these 
human remains, and subsequently donated the collection to the Gilcrease 
Museum. The human remains represent one young adult, aged 20-35; one 
middle-adult of unknown sex; two males, aged 36-55; and one individual 
of unknown age or sex. No known individuals were identified. The 13 
associated funerary objects are 1 hoe, 1 boatstone, and 11 points and 
tools.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from Elkmont Side Notch, Decatur (Soday site 
number 607) in Morgan County, AL. The human remains were removed by 
Frank J. Soday, a collector and amateur archeologist. In 1982, the 
Thomas Gilcrease Museum Association purchased the Soday Collection, 
including these human remains, and subsequently donated the collection 
to the Gilcrease Museum. No known individuals were identified. The 71 
associated funerary objects are 71 points and flakes.

Determinations Made by the Gilcrease Museum

    Officials of the Gilcrease Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice are Native American based on the burial context and 
location.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 37 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 8,013 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 Cherokee Nation; the Eastern Band 
of Cherokee Indians; The Chickasaw Nation; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; 
and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
     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 
Cherokee Nation; the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; The Chickasaw 
Nation; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the United Keetoowah Band of 
Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
     Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the disposition of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects may be to the Cherokee 
Nation; the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; The Chickasaw Nation; The 
Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee 
Indians in Oklahoma.

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 Laura 
Bryant, Gilcrease Museum, 1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Road, Tulsa, OK 
74127, telephone (918) 596-2747, email [email protected], by 
October 20, 2016. After that date, if no additional requestors have 
come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects to the Cherokee Nation; the Eastern Band of Cherokee 
Indians; The Chickasaw Nation; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the 
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma may proceed.
    The Gilcrease Museum is responsible for notifying the Cherokee 
Nation; the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; The Chickasaw Nation; The 
Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee 
Indians in

[[Page 64505]]

Oklahoma that this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 6, 2016.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2016-22618 Filed 9-19-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-50-P