[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 36 (Friday, February 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11628-11629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03621]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-22598; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Arkansas 
Archeological Survey, Fayetteville, AR

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Arkansas Archeological Survey, 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 the Arkansas Archeological Survey. 
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 the Arkansas Archeological 
Survey at the address in this notice by March 27, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Dr. George Sabo, Director, Arkansas Archeological Survey, 
2475 North Hatch Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72704, telephone (479) 575-
3556.

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 Arkansas Archeological Survey 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 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native 
American cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Items

    In 1979, 1983, and 1986, 27 cultural items were removed from the 
Belle Meade site (3CT30) in Crittenden County, AR. These unassociated 
funerary objects were recovered by the University of Memphis in 1979, 
1983, and 1986, and were curated at the C.H. Nash Museum in Memphis, 
TN. These cultural items were transferred to the Arkansas Archeological 
Survey in December of 2015. The 27 unassociated funerary objects are 10 
partial jars, 5 fragmentary bottles, 1 frog effigy, 10 reconstructed 
bowls, and 1 reconstructed Ogee bowl (Catalog #2016-551, 552, 553, 554, 
555, and 556).
    At an unknown date, 10 cultural items were removed from the Belle 
Meade site (3CT30) in Crittenden County, AR. These unassociated 
funerary objects were donated to the C.H. Nash Museum in Memphis, TN, 
part of the University of Memphis. These cultural items were 
transferred to the Arkansas Archeological Survey in December of 2015. 
The 10 unassociated funerary objects are 1 reconstructed bowl, 1 
fragmentary bottle, 5 fragmentary jar, 2 large bag of sherds, and 1 
partial Ogee short necked bottle (Catalog # 2016-556, 557).
    In 1980 and 1983, 22 cultural items were removed from the Beck site 
(3CT8) in Crittenden County, AR. These unassociated funerary objects 
were recovered by the University of Memphis and curated at the C.H. 
Nash Museum in Memphis, TN. These cultural items were transferred to 
the Arkansas Archeological Survey in December of 2015. The 22 
unassociated funerary objects include 5 reconstructed jars, 1 wide-
mouthed bottle, 2 reconstructed effigy bowls, 4 fragmentary bottles, 1 
effigy jar, 6 fragmentary bowls, 2 fragmentary jars, and 1 fragmentary 
teapot vessel (Catalog #2016-473, 477).
    The items detailed in this inventory represent late prehistoric and 
protohistoric items common to large village sites located in the 
central Mississippi Valley province of northeastern Arkansas. It is 
difficult to link historic ethnic identities to prehistoric cultural 
manifestations identified for this region solely on the basis of 
archeological evidence. In response to this circumstance, modern Native 
American communities assert cultural affiliations for the purpose of 
NAGPRA repatriation claims based on settlement locations at the 
beginning of the Colonial era as documented by early European accounts. 
Colonial records from the late 17th century and extending through the 
18th century place Quapaws in the region encompassed by the modern 
counties from which the collections listed above are derived. The first 
treaty the Quapaws signed with the United States, in 1818, further 
establishes residence and control over, or interest in, these portions 
of Arkansas.

Determinations Made by the Arkansas Archeological Survey

    Officials of the Arkansas Archeological Survey have determined 
that:

[[Page 11629]]

     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(B), the 59 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 Quapaw Tribe of Indians, 
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 claim 
these cultural items should submit a written request with information 
in support of the claim to Dr. George Sabo, Director, Arkansas 
Archeological Survey, 2475 North Hatch Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72704, 
telephone (479) 575-3556 by March 27, 2017. After that date, if no 
additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 
unassociated funerary objects to the Quapaw Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma 
may proceed.
    The Arkansas Archeological Survey is responsible for notifying the 
Quapaw Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma that this notice has been published.

    Dated: December 19, 2016.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-03621 Filed 2-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P