[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12829-12832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04399]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-22874; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Murray State University 
Archaeology Laboratory, Murray, KY

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory has 
completed an inventory of human remains, 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 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 should submit a written 
request to the Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory. If no 
additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human 
remains 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 should submit a written 
request with information in support of the request to the Director of 
the Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory at the address in 
this notice by April 6, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Anthony Ortmann, Director, Murray State University 
Archaeology Laboratory, Blackburn Science Building 334, Murray State 
University, Murray, KY 42071, telephone (270) 809-6755, 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 Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory, 
Murray, KY. The human remains were removed from various counties in 
Kentucky and one county in Tennessee.
    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. 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 Murray 
State University Archaeology Laboratory professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of 
Oklahoma, Eastern Band of Cherokee, Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, 
Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, Shawnee 
Tribe, The Chickasaw Nation, and The Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma. The 
following tribes were invited to consult but did not participate: 
Cherokee Nation and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in 
Oklahoma in Oklahoma.

History and Description of the Remains

    On an unknown date in the 1980s, human remains representing, at 
minimum, three individuals were removed from the Twin Mounds site 
(15Ba2) in Ballard County, KY. Archeological research at the Twin 
Mounds site (15Ba2) was undertaken by the University of Illinois as 
part of their Western Kentucky Project. The human remains from the Twin 
Mounds site (15Ba2) were transferred to the Murray State University 
Archaeology Laboratory sometime between 2001 and 2005. The human 
remains consist of 27 fragments of human bone, all of indeterminate age 
and sex. The Twin Mounds site (15Ba2) likely dates to the Mississippi 
Period (A.D. 1000-1600). No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, three 
individuals were removed from site 15Ba42 in Ballard County, KY, during 
surface collections by unknown individuals. These human remains consist 
of 100 specimens including skull fragments, mandible fragments, 
vertebral fragments, and possible ulna, radius, fibula, humerus, femur, 
and/or tibia fragments, all of indeterminate age and sex. These human 
remains were discovered in the collections maintained by the Murray 
State University Archaeology Laboratory. The date of the site 
associated with the human remains is unknown. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date in 1981, human remains representing, at minimum, 
one individual were removed from the Backusburg site (15Cw65) in 
Calloway County, KY. These human remains consist of 1 small, 
unidentifiable specimen that was collected from the back dirt pile of a 
looter's pit by Dr. Kenneth Carstens. The Backusburg site (15Cw65) 
likely dates to the Mississippi Period (A.D. 1000-1600). Neither age 
nor sex could be determined for this skeletal element. No known 
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date in the early 1970s, human remains representing, 
at minimum, four individuals were removed from the Backusburg site 
(15Cw65) in Calloway County, KY. These human remains consist of 60 
specimens that were recovered by an amateur archeologist and donated to 
the Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory in 2003. The 
specimens consist of fragments of a human femur, fibula, tibia, 
humerus, and ulna, as well as skull, mandible, scapula, vertebral, and 
sacrum fragments. Age and sex could not be determined for any of these 
specimens. The Backusburg site (15Cw65) likely dates to the Mississippi 
Period (A.D. 1000-1600). No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date in the 1970s, human remains representing, at 
minimum, one individual were removed from an unnamed and unnumbered 
site near the town of Hardin in Calloway County, KY. These human 
remains consist of 100 fragments of human bone that were recovered by 
an amateur archeologist and donated to the Murray State University 
Archaeology Laboratory in 2003. Skeletal elements include skull 
fragments, rib fragments, sacrum fragments, vertebral fragments, and 
one unidentified long bone fragment. Neither age nor sex could be 
determined for any of the specimens. The age of the site is unknown. No 
known individual

[[Page 12830]]

was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date in the 1980s, human remains representing, at 
minimum, 12 individuals were removed from the Turk site (15Ce6) in 
Carlisle County, KY. Archeological research at the Turk site was 
undertaken by the University of Illinois as part of their Western 
Kentucky Project. These human remains were transferred to the Murray 
State University Archaeology Laboratory sometime between 2001 and 2005. 
These human remains consist of 848 specimens including at least nine 
infants or children and at least three adults. The sex of the 
individuals could not be determined. The Turk site (15Ce6) likely dates 
to the Mississippi Period (A.D. 1000-1600). No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date in the 1980s, human remains representing, at 
minimum, ten individuals were removed from the Adams site (15Fu4) in 
Fulton County, KY. Archeological research at the Adams site was 
undertaken by the University of Illinois as part of their Western 
Kentucky Project. These human remains were transferred to the Murray 
State University Archaeology Laboratory sometime between 2001 and 2005. 
These human remains consist of 463 specimens including at least three 
children or infants. No other age of sex characteristics could be 
determined. The Adams site (15Fu4) likely dates to the Mississippi 
Period (A.D. 1000-1600). No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date in the 1980s, human remains representing, at 
minimum, one individual were removed from the Sassafras Ridge site 
(15Fu3) in Fulton County, KY. Archeological research at the Sassafras 
Ridge site was undertaken by the University of Illinois as part of 
their Western Kentucky Project. These human remains were transferred to 
the Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory sometime between 
2001 and 2005. The Sassafras Ridge site (15Fu3) likely dates to the 
Mississippi Period (A.D. 1000-1600). These human remains consist of 15 
fragments of human bone. Age and sex could not be determined for any of 
the specimens. No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from the Stahr Hill site (15Fu45) in Fulton 
County, KY. These human remains were obtained during surface 
collection. There is no record regarding who collected the human 
remains or how they got into the Murray State University Archaeology 
Laboratory collections. The Stahr Hill site (15Fu45) is of unknown age. 
The human remains consist of a single tooth. Age and sex could not be 
determined for this specimen. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date in the 1970s, human remains representing, at 
minimum, one individual were removed from the Jonathan Creek site 
(15Ml4) in Marshall County, KY. These human remains were removed by an 
amateur archeologist and were subsequently donated to the Murray State 
University Archaeology Laboratory in 2003. The Jonathan Creek site 
(15Ml4) likely dates to the Mississippi Period (A.D. 1000-1600). The 
human remains consist of 40 fragments including cranial elements, 
vertebral elements, and one fragment of a radius. Age and sex could not 
be determined for any of the specimens. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from the Hardin site (15Ml82) in Marshall 
County, KY. These human remains were obtained during surface 
collection, but there is no record regarding who collected the human 
remains or how they got into the Murray State University Archaeology 
Laboratory collections. The Hardin site (15Ml82) is of unknown age. The 
human remains consist of nine fragmentary bones including cranial 
elements and possibly unidentified long bone elements. Age and sex 
could not be determined for any of these specimens. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    On an unknown date in 1981, human remains representing, at minimum, 
one individual were removed from the Reed site (15McN51) in McCracken 
County, KY. These human remains were removed during excavation by field 
school students at Murray State University and subsequently curated in 
the collections of the Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory. 
The Reed site (15McN51) likely dates to the Mississippi Period (A.D. 
1000-1600). The human remains consist of eight fragments including two 
skull fragments, one navicular fragment, and five unidentified 
fragments. Age and sex could not be determined for any of the 
specimens. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    On an unknown date in the 1980s, human remains representing, at 
minimum, two individuals were removed from the Crawford Lake site 
(15McN18) in McCracken County, KY. These human remains were removed 
during archaeological investigations by the University of Illinois as 
part of their Western Kentucky Project and transferred to the Murray 
State University Archaeology Laboratory sometime between 2001 and 2005. 
The Crawford Lake site (15McN18) likely dates to the Mississippi Period 
(A.D. 1000-1600). The human remains consist of 24 specimens recovered 
from disturbed contexts. Age and sex have not been determined for any 
of the specimens. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    The land in Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Marshall, and 
McCracken counties, KY, from which the Native American human remains 
were removed, is the aboriginal land of The Chickasaw Nation.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, 25 
individuals were removed from the Savage Cave site (15Lo11) in Logan 
County, KY. Some of these human remains consist of out-of-context human 
remains that were donated to the Murray State University Archaeology 
Laboratory by the site's previous owner, Genevieve Savage. Other human 
remains from the Savage Cave site were recovered from back dirt piles 
associated with looter's pits during visits by Murray State University 
archeologists in 1991, 1994, and 1997. Some of the human remains from 
the Savage Cave site were recovered during excavations by the Carnegie 
Institute during the late 1960s. The Savage Cave site had a long 
history of occupation and use throughout the prehistoric period. The 
human remains from the Savage Cave site include a total of 260 
specimens including both whole and fragmentary human remains. Some 
skeletal elements of children and infants are present in the 
collection, otherwise no age or sex determinations were possible. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    The land in Logan County, KY, from which the Native American human 
remains were removed, is the aboriginal land of the Cherokee Nation, 
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee 
Indians in Oklahoma.
    On an unknown date in the 1960s, human remains representing, at 
minimum, one individual were removed from site 15Tr7 in Trigg County, 
KY. These human remains were removed by a graduate student from the 
University

[[Page 12831]]

of Illinois and housed there until 2006 when they were transferred to 
the Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory. The age of site 
15Tr7 is unknown. The human remains from site 15Tr7 consist of 86 
specimens including cranial and long bone fragments. Age and sex could 
not be determined for any of these specimens. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date in the 1970s, human remains representing, at 
minimum, one individual were removed from an unnamed and unnumbered 
site in Stewart County, TN. These human remains were recovered by an 
amateur archaeologist and subsequently donated to the Murray State 
University Archaeology Laboratory in 2003. The age of the site is 
unknown. The human remains from the site consist of 137 specimens 
including cranial, mandible, rib, scapula, and vertebral fragments. Age 
and sex could not be determined for any of these specimens. No known 
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date in the 1970s, human remains representing, at 
minimum, two individuals were recovered from the Bear Creek site 
(40Sw23) in Stewart County, TN. These human remains were recovered 
during Murray State University archeological field school excavations 
and subsequently curated in the Murray State University Archaeology 
Laboratory. The age of the Bear Creek site (40Sw23) is unknown. The 
human remains from the site consist of 176 specimens including 
vertebral, cranial, and long bone fragments. At least two individuals 
were either infants or children. No other age or sex determinations 
could be made. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    The land in Trigg County, KY, and Stewart County, TN, from which 
the Native American human remains were removed, is the aboriginal land 
of the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, The Chickasaw 
Nation, and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
    Between May 25, 2001, and July 5, 2001, human remains representing, 
at minimum, seven individuals were removed from site 15Hk280 in Hopkins 
County, KY, by Thor Olmanson as part of a cultural resources management 
assessment. The human remains were transferred to the Murray State 
University Archaeology Laboratory in 2003. This site is a rock shelter 
and test excavations revealed that it had been thoroughly looted prior 
to the archeological assessment. As a result, all recovered human 
remains were out of context. The human remains removed from site 
15Hk280 consist of 139 fragmentary specimens ranging in age from 
subadult to adult. No sex determinations could be made. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    The land in Hopkins County, KY, from which the Native American 
human remains were removed, is the aboriginal land of the Cherokee 
Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Shawnee Tribe, and United 
Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
    On an unknown date in the 1970s, human remains representing, at 
minimum, one individual were removed from the Sanders site in 
Livingston County, KY. These human remains were surface collected by an 
amateur archeologist and subsequently transferred to the Murray State 
University Archaeology Laboratory in 2003. The age of the Sanders site 
is unknown. The human remains from the site consist of a total of 137 
specimens including cranial elements, vertebral fragments, rib 
fragments, long bone fragments, and phalanges. No age or sex 
determinations could be made. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    The land in Livingston County, KY, from which the Native American 
human remains were removed, is the aboriginal land of the Cherokee 
Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Shawnee Tribe, The Chickasaw 
Nation, and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.

Determinations Made by the Murray State University Archaeology 
Laboratory

    Officials of the Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory 
have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice are Native American based on osteological evidence, 
association with prehistoric archaeological sites, and their geographic 
and temporal affiliation which is consistent with the historically 
documented territory of the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee 
Indians, Shawnee Tribe, The Chickasaw Nation, and United Keetoowah Band 
of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of at least 79 
individuals of Native American ancestry.
     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 any present-day Indian tribe.
     According to final judgments of the Indian Claims 
Commission or the Court of Federal Claims, treaties, Acts of Congress, 
or Executive Orders, the land in Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, 
Marshall, and McCracken counties, KY, from which the Native American 
human remains were removed, is the aboriginal land of The Chickasaw 
Nation.
     Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the disposition of the 
human remains from Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Marshall, and 
McCracken counties, KY, may be to The Chickasaw Nation.
     According to final judgments of the Indian Claims 
Commission or the Court of Federal Claims, treaties, Acts of Congress, 
or Executive Orders, the land in Logan County, KY, from which the 
Native American human remains were removed, is the aboriginal land of 
the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and United 
Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
     Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the disposition of the 
human remains from Logan County, KY, may be to the Cherokee Nation, 
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee 
Indians in Oklahoma.
     According to final judgments of the Indian Claims 
Commission or the Court of Federal Claims, treaties, Acts of Congress, 
or Executive Orders, the land in Trigg County, KY, and Stewart County, 
TN, from which the Native American human remains were removed, is the 
aboriginal land of the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee 
Indians, The Chickasaw 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 from Trigg County, KY, and Stewart County, TN, may be to 
the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, The Chickasaw 
Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
     According to final judgments of the Indian Claims 
Commission or the Court of Federal Claims, treaties, Acts of Congress, 
or Executive Orders, the land in Hopkins County, KY, from which the 
Native American human remains were removed, is the aboriginal land of 
the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Shawnee Tribe, 
and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
     Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the disposition of the 
human remains from Hopkins County, KY, may be to the Cherokee Nation, 
Eastern Band of

[[Page 12832]]

Cherokee Indians, Shawnee Tribe, and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee 
Indians in Oklahoma.
     According to final judgments of the Indian Claims 
Commission or the Court of Federal Claims, treaties, Acts of Congress, 
or Executive Orders, the land in Livingston County, KY, from which the 
Native American human remains were removed, is the aboriginal land of 
the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Shawnee Tribe, 
The Chickasaw Nation, and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in 
Oklahoma.
     Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the disposition of the 
human remains from Livingston County, KY, may be to the Cherokee 
Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Shawnee Tribe, The Chickasaw 
Nation, and 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 should submit a written request with information 
in support of the request to Dr. Anthony Ortmann, Director, Murray 
State University Archaeology Laboratory, Murray, KY 42071, telephone 
(270) 809-6755, email [email protected], by April 6, 2017. After 
that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of 
control of the human remains to the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of 
Cherokee Indians, Shawnee Tribe, The Chickasaw Nation, and United 
Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma may proceed.
    The Murray State University Archaeology Laboratory is responsible 
for notifying the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, 
Shawnee Tribe, The Chickasaw Nation, and United Keetoowah Band of 
Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma that this notice has been published.

    Dated: February 6, 2017.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-04399 Filed 3-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P