[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 183 (Friday, September 22, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44442-44443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20301]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0023996; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Department of Anthropology, The 
University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Anthropology, The University of Tulsa, 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 organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a 
written request to the Department of Anthropology, The University of 
Tulsa. 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 
Department of Anthropology, The University of Tulsa, at the address in 
this notice by October 23, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Thomas Foster, Department of Anthropology, The 
University of Tulsa, Harwell Hall, Tulsa, OK 74104, telephone (918) 
631-3082, 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 Department of Anthropology, The University of Tulsa. 
The human remains were removed from Craighead County, AR.
    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 
Department of Anthropology, The University of Tulsa, professional staff 
in consultation with representatives of The Quapaw Tribe of Indians.

History and Description of the Remains

    From 1964 to 1968, human remains representing, at minimum, 21 
individuals were removed from the McDuffie or MacDuffie site (3CG21) in 
Craighead County, AR. These human remains were likely obtained by the 
Department of Anthropology at The University of Tulsa from the 
Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, OK, which obtained artifacts and human 
remains from the site in 1982. The human remains represent three adult 
females, three adult males, ten adults of indeterminate sex, one 
juvenile of indeterminate sex, and four infants. No known individuals 
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    According to the Gilcrease Museum records, the McDuffie site 
(3CG21) is located near the town of Lunsford in Craighead County, AR. 
Excavation records indicate that the site consisted of a large village 
with two mounds. Non-destructive analysis indicates that the human 
remains are Native American. Cultural items associated with the human 
remains have been determined to date to the Middle Mississippian period 
(A.D. 1170-1300). Oral history evidence presented by representatives of 
The Quapaw Tribe of Indians indicates that the region has long been 
included in their traditional and hunting territory. French colonial 
records from 1700 also indicate that the Quapaw were known at that time 
to be the only Native American group present in the St. Francis River 
valley region where the McDuffie site is located. Based on the 
geographical location and the date of interment, the human remains are 
most likely to be culturally affiliated with The Quapaw Tribe of 
Indians.

Determinations Made by the Department of Anthropology, The University 
of Tulsa

    Officials of the Department of Anthropology, The University of 
Tulsa, have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 21 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 Quapaw Tribe of Indians.

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 Dr. 
Thomas Foster, Department of Anthropology, The University of Tulsa, 
Harwell Hall, Tulsa, OK 74104, telephone (918) 631-3082, email [email protected], by October 23, 2017. After that date, if

[[Page 44443]]

no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the 
human remains to The Quapaw Tribe of Indians may proceed.
    The Department of Anthropology, The University of Tulsa, is 
responsible for notifying The Quapaw Tribe of Indians that this notice 
has been published.

    Dated: August 14, 2017.
Sarah Glass,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-20301 Filed 9-21-17; 8:45 am]
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