[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4244-4247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01724]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0024613; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: History Colorado, 
Formerly Colorado Historical Society, Denver, CO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: History Colorado, formerly Colorado Historical Society, 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 History Colorado. 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 History Colorado at the address 
in this notice by March 1, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Sheila Goff, NAGPRA Liaison, History Colorado, 1200 
Broadway, Denver, CO 80203, telephone (303) 866-4531, 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. 3005, of the intent to repatriate cultural items under the 
control of History Colorado, Denver, CO, 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 the winter of 1888-1889, 13 cultural items were removed from 
burials in the Mesa Verde area in Montezuma County, CO, by Richard 
Wetherill, Al Wetherill, and Charlie Mason. The cultural items were 
removed from Cliff Palace, Spruce Tree, Square Tower, Balcony, Mummy, 
Spring, Long, Mug, High, Kodak, and Step Houses, and other cliff 
dwellings and mesa top ruins in Navajo, Acowitz, Johnson, Grass, 
Mancos, Weber, and Moccasin Canyons. History Colorado purchased the 
collection in 1889. The 13 unassociated funerary objects are 1 black-
on-white bowl, 1 cotton cloth fragment, 4 turkey feather blankets or 
fragments, 1 cordage fragment, 2 arrow fragments, 3 willow reed burial 
mats, and 1 twill-plaited mat. The associated human remains were not 
collected. Based on material culture and site architecture, the sites 
where the objects were collected were occupied during

[[Page 4245]]

the Pueblo II-III periods, A.D. 900-1300.
    In 1892, 59 cultural items were removed from burials in the Mesa 
Verde area in Montezuma County, CO, by Arthur Wilmarth, D.W. Ayers, and 
Al and/or Richard Wetherill. The cultural items were removed largely 
from Step House, but also from Cliff Palace, Tower, Balcony, Mug, 
Mummy, and Spruce Tree Houses. This collection was funded by the 
Colorado State Legislature to be part of Colorado's exhibit at the 1893 
World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The collection was transferred 
to the Colorado Historical Society after the Exposition. The 59 
unassociated funerary objects are 16 black-on-white bowls, 8 black-on-
white or grayware jars, 4 black-on-white mugs, 7 black-on-white ladles, 
2 black-on-white pot lids, 1 black-on-white effigy jar, 1 black-on-
white canteen, 5 black-on-white pitchers, 1 bone awl, 2 wood pillows, 1 
bow, 4 arrow fragments, 2 turkey feather blanket fragments, 3 willow 
reed burial mats, 1 twill-plaited mat fragment and 1 bone bead. The 
associated human remains were not collected. Based on material culture 
and site architecture, the sites where the objects were collected were 
occupied during the Pueblo II-III periods, A.D. 900-1300.
    In the winter of 1888-1889 or in 1892, six cultural items were 
removed from burials in the Mesa Verde area in Montezuma County, CO, by 
the above collectors. Incomplete museum records do not allow 
determination of specifically who collected the cultural items. The six 
unassociated funerary objects are 1 piki mold, 1 turkey feather 
blanket, and 4 willow reed burial mats. Based on material culture, 
these artifacts were produced during the Pueblo II-III periods, A.D. 
900-1300 or earlier.
    In 1917, one cultural item was removed from a grave west of Golden 
in Jefferson County, CO, by staff from the State Highway Commission 
during work operations. The cultural item was transferred to History 
Colorado in 1918. The unassociated funerary object, 1 Olivella shell 
necklace, was identified as Ancestral Puebloan during consultations. 
The associated human remains were not removed.
    Between 1921 and 1924, three cultural items were removed from a 
burial context in a pithouse on private property in Archuleta County, 
CO, by History Colorado Curator Jean A. Jeancon and Frank H.H. Roberts, 
an instructor at University of Denver, both of whom conducted 
archeological investigations at and around Chimney Rock Pueblo in 
Archuleta County, CO. The three unassociated funerary objects are 1 
black-on-white mountain sheep figurine and 2 clay pipes. The associated 
human remains were not removed. Site architecture and material culture 
indicate the items were made sometime in the Pueblo I-III periods, A.D. 
750-1300.
    In 1928, 40 cultural items were removed from a burial context on 
private land known as Herren Farm (5MT726) in Montezuma County, CO, by 
Paul S. Martin. Mr. Martin was employed as a curator by History 
Colorado for archeological reconnaissance, survey and excavation in 
southwest Colorado. The 40 unassociated funerary objects are 2 
corrugated cooking jars, 1 black-on-white jar, 12 black-on-white bowls, 
16 black-on-white mugs, 6 black-on-white ladles, 1 black-on-white seed 
jar, 1 black-on-white pitcher, and 1 canine jaw. The associated human 
remains were not collected. Based on material culture and site 
architecture the site was occupied during the Pueblo II-III periods, 
A.D. 900-1300.
    In 1928, 28 cultural items were removed from private land 
identified as Charnal House Tower in Montezuma County, CO, by Paul S. 
Martin. The 28 unassociated funerary objects are 11 corrugated cooking 
jars, 1 black-on-white jar, 3 black-on-white bowls, 5 black-on-white 
mugs, 1 black-on-white ladle, 1 black-on-white seed jar, 1 stone slab, 
1 reed burial mat fragment, 1 bone necklace, 1 pair of shell earrings, 
and 2 stone pendants. The associated human remains were not collected. 
Based on material culture and site architecture the site was occupied 
during the Pueblo II-III periods, A.D. 900-1300.
    In 1929, 17 cultural items were removed from a burial context on 
private land known as Little Dog Ruin (5MT13403) in Montezuma County, 
CO, by Paul S. Martin. The 17 unassociated funerary objects are 3 
black-on-white seed jars, 5 black-on-white bowls, 4 black-on-white 
mugs, 1 black-on-white ladle, 1 black-on-white effigy jar, and 3 black-
on-white pitchers. The associated human remains were not removed. Based 
on material culture and site architecture the site was occupied during 
the Basketmaker III and Pueblo I periods, A.D. 500-900.
    In 1929, nine cultural items were removed from a burial context on 
private land known as Pigg Site (5MT4802) in Montezuma County, CO, by 
Paul S. Martin. The nine unassociated funerary objects are 2 black-on-
white bowls, 1 black-on-red bowl, 3 black-on-white mugs, 1 black-on-
white ladle, 1 black-on-white pot lid and 1 black-on-white seed jar. 
The associated human remains were not removed. Based on material 
culture and site architecture the site was occupied during the Pueblo 
II-III periods, A.D. 900-1300.
    At some time prior to 1933, four cultural items were removed from a 
burial context at an unspecified site near Durango in La Plata County, 
CO, by Fred Johnson. The cultural items were donated to History 
Colorado in 1933. The four unassociated funerary objects are 1 grayware 
seed jar, 1 grayware bowl, 1 grayware pitcher and 1 sandstone 
concretion. The associated human remains were not removed. Pottery 
attributes indicate these were made during the Pueblo I-III periods, 
A.D. 750-1300.
    At some time prior to 1935, 11 cultural items were removed from a 
burial context at an unspecified site on private property at the head 
of Yellow Jacket Canyon in Montezuma County, CO, by Homer S. Root, a 
minister from Durango, CO. In 1935, History Colorado purchased the 
cultural items. The 11 unassociated funerary objects are 5 black-on-
white bowls, 4 black-on-white mugs, and 2 black-on-white ladles. 
Pottery attributes indicate the cultural items were made during the 
Pueblo III period, A.D. 1150-1300. The associated human remains were 
not removed.
    At some time prior to 1935, 10 unassociated funerary objects were 
removed from a burial context at a burial context on an unspecified 
site on private property in Blue Mesa in La Plata County, CO, by Homer 
S. Root. In 1935, History Colorado purchased the cultural items. The 10 
unassociated funerary objects are 4 black-on-white bowls, 1 grayware 
mug, 1 grayware jar, 1 grayware double vessel, and 3 grayware pitchers. 
The associated human remains were not removed. Pottery attributes 
indicate the cultural items were made during the Basketmaker III/Pueblo 
I periods, A.D. 500-900.
    At some time prior to 1935, two unassociated funerary objects were 
removed from a burial context at an unspecified site on private 
property in Florida Mesa in La Plata County, CO, by Homer S. Root. In 
1935, History Colorado purchased the cultural items. The two 
unassociated funerary objects are 1 grayware pitcher and 1 lot of 
Olivella shell beads. The associated human remains were not removed. 
Pottery attributes indicate the cultural items were made during the 
Basketmaker III/Pueblo I periods, A.D. 500-900.
    At some time prior to 1935, nine unassociated funerary objects were 
removed from a burial context at an unspecified site on private 
property in

[[Page 4246]]

Wild Horse Canyon in La Plata County, CO, by Homer S. Root. In 1935, 
History Colorado purchased the cultural items. The nine unassociated 
funerary objects are 3 black-on-white bowls, 2 black-on-red bowls, 1 
red ware jar, 2 grayware jars, and 1 grayware pitcher. The associated 
human remains were not removed. Pottery attributes indicate the 
cultural items were made during the Basketmaker III/Pueblo I periods, 
A.D. 500-900.
    At some time prior to 1943, four cultural items were removed from 
burial contexts at unspecified sites in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, 
or Utah by James Mellinger. Mr. Mellinger willed his collection to 
History Colorado in 1943, and it was transferred to History Colorado in 
1967. The four unassociated funerary objects are 1 grayware jar and 1 
black-on-white bowl from Blue Mesa, CO, 1 turkey feather blanket from 
an unspecified site, and 1 twill-plaited basket from the Grand Gulch, 
UT, area. The associated human remains were not collected. Pottery 
attributes of two items indicate they were made in the Basketmaker/
Pueblo I period, A.D. 500-900. The other two items lack sufficient 
context to date them.
    At some time prior to 1956, two cultural items were removed from a 
burial context at an unspecified site in the Dove Creek area in Dolores 
County, CO, by Virgil Mathews. The cultural items were donated to 
History Colorado in 1956. The two unassociated funerary objects are 1 
black-on-white pitcher, and 1 grayware bowl. The associated human 
remains were not collected. Pottery attributes of the two items 
indicate they were made in the Pueblo II period, A.D. 900-1150.
    At some time prior to 1967, one cultural item was removed from a 
burial context at an unspecified site in Montezuma Canyon, San Juan 
County, UT, by an unknown person, later purchased by Vida Ellison, and 
willed to History Colorado in 1967 as part of an archeological 
collection. The one unassociated funerary object is 1 mud ware bowl. 
Pottery attributes indicate it was made in the Basketmaker III period, 
A.D. 500-750.
    At some time prior to 1987, one cultural item was removed by an 
unknown person from a burial context at an unspecified site and 
accessioned into the History Colorado collection in 1987. The 
unassociated funerary object is 1 black-on-white seed jar. The 
associated remains were not collected. Pottery attributes indicate it 
was made in the Pueblo II period, A.D. 900-1150.
    At an unknown date, two cultural items were removed from burial 
contexts at unspecified sites and placed into the History Colorado 
collection. The two cultural items are 1 turkey feather blanket 
fragment and 1 corrugated cooking jar. Attributes of both cultural 
items indicate they were made in the Pueblo I-III period, A.D. 750-
1300.
    The cultural affiliation of these unassociated funerary objects 
with present-day Native Americans was determined through the use of the 
following lines of evidence: geographical, kinship, biological, 
archeological, anthropological, linguistic, oral tradition, historical 
and expert opinion. Evidence was gathered from consultations with 
Indian Tribes, physical examination, survey of acquisition history, 
review of pertinent archeological, ethnographic, historic, 
anthropological and linguistic literature, and artifact analysis. 
Similarities in site architecture and material culture associated with 
the unassociated funerary objects are consistent with Ancestral 
Puebloan occupation of the southwestern United States, from the 
Basketmaker I period through the Pueblo III period (between 
approximately 1000 B.C. and A.D. 1300). Ancestral Puebloan ceramic 
typologies and perishables analyses helped to identify chronological 
and geographical technological traditions. After approximately A.D. 
1300, multiple factors caused Pueblo populations to leave the Four 
Corners region and resettle in Pueblos along the Northern Rio Grande 
and in the Pueblos of Acoma, Zuni, Ysleta del Sur, and Hopi. Extant 
oral traditions corroborate dynamic population movements within the 
region during this time.

Determinations Made by History Colorado

    Officials of History Colorado have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(B), and based on existing 
museum documentation, the 222 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 Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Kewa 
Pueblo, New Mexico (previously listed as the Pueblo of Santo Domingo); 
Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico (previously listed as the Pueblo of San 
Juan); Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico; Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico; Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
Laguna, New Mexico; Pueblo of Nambe, New Mexico; Pueblo of Picuris, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Felipe, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of San Ildefonso, New Mexico; Pueblo of Sandia, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Clara, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Taos, New Mexico; Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Zia, New Mexico; Ysleta del Sur Pueblo (previously listed as 
the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas); and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni 
Reservation, New Mexico (hereafter referred to as ``The Culturally 
Affiliated Tribes'').

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 Sheila Goff, NAGPRA Liaison, History 
Colorado, 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203, telephone (303) 866-4531, 
email [email protected], by March 1, 2018. After that date, if no 
additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 
unassociated funerary objects to The Culturally Affiliated Tribes may 
proceed.
    History Colorado is responsible for notifying the Hopi Tribe of 
Arizona; Kewa Pueblo, New Mexico (previously listed as the Pueblo of 
Santo Domingo); Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah; Ohkay 
Owingeh, New Mexico (previously listed as the Pueblo of San Juan); 
Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico; Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
Isleta, New Mexico; Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico; Pueblo of Laguna, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Nambe, New Mexico; Pueblo of Picuris, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Felipe, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of San Ildefonso, New Mexico; Pueblo of Sandia, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Clara, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Taos, New Mexico; Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
Zia, New Mexico; Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute 
Reservation, Colorado; Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (previously listed as the 
Ute Mountain Tribe of the Ute Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New 
Mexico & Utah); Ysleta del Sur Pueblo (previously listed as the Ysleta 
Del Sur Pueblo of Texas); and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New 
Mexico, that this notice has been published.


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    Dated: November 1, 2017.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2018-01724 Filed 1-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P