[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 72 (Friday, April 13, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16121-16123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07699]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0025285; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Mississippi Department of 
Archives and History, Jackson, MS

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Mississippi Department of Archives and History 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 present-day Indian Tribes. 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 
and associated funerary objects should submit a written request to the 
Mississippi Department of Archives and History. 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: 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 and associated 
funerary objects should submit a written request with information in 
support of the request to the Mississippi Department of Archives and 
History at the address in this notice by May 14, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Patty Miller-Beech, Mississippi Department of Archives and 
History, P.O. Box 571, Jackson, MS 39205-0571, telephone (601) 576-
6944, 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 Mississippi 
Department of Archives and History, Jackson, MS. The human remains and 
associated funerary objects were removed from Tunica County, DeSoto 
County, Clay County, and Panola County, MS.
    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 
Mississippi Department of Archives and History's professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of The Chickasaw Nation. The 
following Indian Tribes were invited to consult but did not wish to 
participate: the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas (previously listed as 
the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas), Jena Band of Choctaw Indians,

[[Page 16122]]

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, 
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, The Quapaw Tribe of Indians, and the 
Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe.

History and Description of the Remains

    Between July 1988 and August 1991, human remains representing, at 
minimum, 147 individuals were removed from the Austin site (22Tu549) in 
Tunica County, MS. The burials were brought to the attention of the 
Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) after the 
landowner discovered them during land leveling activities. 
Subsequently, a salvage excavation of the site was performed to prevent 
further damage to the burials. The results of the excavation uncovered 
more burials, features from houses, wall trenches, refuse pits, 
numerous pottery bowls, projectile points, ornamental artifacts, and 
faunal remains. The burials, which included both partial and complete 
skeletal remains, demonstrate an array of burial practices from bundle 
burials to comingled burials of ages ranging from infancy to adult. 
Male and females were present. Some burials had funerary objects, while 
many did not. No known individuals were identified. The 37 associated 
funerary objects consist of 2 celts, 4 shell beads, 1 clay bead, 1 
whole turtle shell, 5 turtle shell fragments, 1 shell necklace, 2 wolf 
teeth, 1 deer jaw, 8 projectile points, 1 broken Mississippi Plain var. 
Neely's Ferry vessel, 1 large broken Larto Red Filmed bowl, 2 square-
bottomed Alligator-incised jars, 1 Baytown Plain jar, 1 Evansville 
Punctate jar, 2 Coles Creek incised bowls, 1 partial Baytown Plain 
bowl, 1 Mulberry Creek Cordmarked vessel and 2 Baytown Plain vessels. 
Based on the types of pottery found in the immediate area, the age of 
the Austin site appears to range from the Coles Creek period to the 
Mississippian period (A.D. 700-1400). Radiocarbon dating of this site 
has not been performed. In addition, based on the condition of the 
human remains, as well as the associated funerary objects, the 
individuals have been determined to be Native American.
    In April of 1968, human remains representing, at minimum, 15 
individuals were removed from the Bonds Village site (22Tu530) in 
Tunica County, MS. The human remains were brought to the attention of 
the North Delta Chapter of the Mississippi Archaeological Association 
after heavy cultivation had caused considerable disturbance to the 
site. With the approval of the landowner and MDAH, a salvage excavation 
of the site was performed to prevent further damage to the burials. The 
individuals ranged in ages from infant to adult, with the majority 
interred as extended burials. There was one bundle burial; it contained 
the remains of a juvenile male. Both males and females were interred on 
this site. Funerary artifacts had been placed with the bundle burial 
and an extended burial containing two adult males. No known individuals 
were identified. The 13 associated funerary objects are 1 Bell Plain 
bowl, 1 bone awl, 1 shell hoe, and 10 projectile points. Based on 
pottery found on the site, the age of Bonds Village site (22Tu530) 
appears to date to the Mississippian period (A.D. 1050-1450). Physical 
anthropological analysis of the remains has determined them to be 
Native American.
    In 1969, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from the Boyd site (22Tu531) in Tunica County, MS. The 
human remains were removed during a salvage excavation conducted by 
MDAH personnel. The human remains appear to belong to an adult female, 
based on osteological indicators. The burial had been heavily impacted 
by land-leveling activities. Based upon ceramic pottery sherds found at 
the site, the burial appears to date anywhere from the Tchula to 
Marksville period (350 B.C.-A.D. 450). No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In June of 1990, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from a burial (Burial #2) at the Brogan Village 
site (22CL501B) in Clay County, MS. The human remains were removed 
during a salvage excavation conducted by MDAH archeologists. A second 
burial (Burial #1) was also recovered during this excavation. The human 
remains from Burial #1 were sent to Ohio in 1990 for analysis, 
presumably as soon as they were disinterred. None of the field reports 
by MDAH archeological staff mention Burial #1 aside from the initial 
sketch and a note regarding the analysis placed with the Burial #2 
documentation. The human remains from Burial #1 are presumed missing at 
this time, and no further information is available. No known individual 
was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Based upon 
pottery sherds found nearby, the age of the Brogan Village site appears 
to date to the Late Woodland (Miller III phase) (A.D. 550-950).
    In 1971, human remains representing, at minimum, five individuals 
were removed from the Dogwood Ridge site (22Ds511) in DeSoto County, 
MS. The human remains were removed during a salvage excavation 
performed by archeologists with MDAH. This bundle burial was initially 
recorded as containing one individual, but subsequent analysis has 
shown that the burial bundle contains five individuals with the burial 
bundle. Three adult males, one juvenile, and one infant were included 
in the bundle burial. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present. There were no artifacts 
associated with the burial, but a pottery sherd found within the site 
may date the burial from the Baytown phase to Late Mississippian phase 
(A.D. 400-1700). No radiocarbon dating has been performed, but 
osteological analysis has determined that the burials are Native 
American.
    In the late 1970s, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from the Dugger Bluff site (22Pa587) in Panola 
County, MS. The human remains were recovered and curated at MDAH. No 
other identifying information, such as the age or sex of the 
individuals, has been retrieved at this time. Based on ceramic sherds 
found within the site boundaries, this site appears to date to the 
Middle Woodland period (A.D. 400-1100). No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In the 1980s, human remains representing, at minimum, four 
individuals were removed from the Dundee site (22Tu501) in Tunica 
County, MS. The human remains were recovered during a salvage 
excavation and curated at the MDAH. The human remains, though very 
fragmentary, were determined to belong to two adults and two juveniles, 
based on wear on the dentition. Previous reports on the Dundee site by 
Calvin Brown in 1926 stated that the site was comprised of several 
mounds dating back to at least the Mississippian period and possibly 
the Late Woodland Phase (A.D. 400-1700). No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In the late 1960s, human remains representing, at minimum, five 
individuals were removed from the McCarter Mound site (22Pa502) in 
Panola County, MS. The human remains were recorded and excavated during 
a salvage excavation by the North Delta Chapter of the Mississippi 
Archaeological Association and subsequently curated at MDAH. The human 
remains, though fragmentary and in poor condition, have been 
osteologically identified as belonging to four adults and one juvenile. 
Determination of sex was not possible.

[[Page 16123]]

Ceramics found at the McCarter Mound (22Pa502) site have been dated to 
the Early Marksville period (200 B.C.) No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1993, human remains representing, at minimum, 12 individuals 
were removed from the Hollywood site (22Tu500) in Tunica County, MS. 
The human remains were recovered during a salvage excavation and 
curated at MDAH. Osteological examination determined that the human 
remains belong to one infant, three children, one adult female, two 
adult males, and five adults of indeterminate sex. Most of the human 
remains were poorly preserved. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present. Radiocarbon dating of 
materials from the site indicates that the human remains date to the 
Mississippian period, (A.D. 1400-1600).
    In 1974, human remains representing, at minimum, 14 individuals 
were recovered from the Flowers #3 site (22Tu518) in Tunica County, MS. 
The human remains were recovered during a salvage excavation and 
curated at MDAH. The human remains were comprised of bundle burials 
with fragmentary interments of each individual. The human remains 
belong to three children, one infant (6-9 months), one adolescent, two 
female young adults, one young adult male, three young adults (sex 
indeterminate), one female adult (45-50 years), one male adult (45-50 
years), and one adult of indeterminate sex. No known individuals were 
identified. Ceramics found at the site dates the site to the 
Mississippian period (A.D. 1100-1700). No associated funerary objects 
are present.
    In 1974, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were recovered from the Norflett Mound site (22Tu519) in Tunica County, 
MS. The human remains were recovered during a salvage excavation and 
curated at MDAH. The human remains were identified as an adult (30-35 
years) of indeterminate sex. No known individual was identified. 
Ceramics found at the Norflett Mound site (22Tu519) date the burial to 
the early Middle Woodland period (200 B.C.-A.D. 100). No associated 
funerary objects are present.

Determinations Made by the Mississippi Department of Archives and 
History

    Officials of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History 
have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of at least 207 
individuals of Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 50 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 Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas 
(previously listed as the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas), Jena Band 
of Choctaw Indians, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, The Chickasaw 
Nation, The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, 
The Quapaw Tribe of Indians, and the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe.
     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 
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas (previously listed as the Alabama-
Coushatta Tribes of Texas), Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, Mississippi 
Band of Choctaw Indians, The Chickasaw Nation, The Choctaw Nation of 
Oklahoma, The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, The Quapaw Tribe of Indians, and 
the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe.
     Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the disposition of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects may be to the Alabama-
Coushatta Tribe of Texas (previously listed as the Alabama-Coushatta 
Tribes of Texas), Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, Mississippi Band of 
Choctaw Indians, The Chickasaw Nation, The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, 
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, The Quapaw Tribe of Indians, and the 
Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe.

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 Patty 
Miller-Beech, Mississippi Department of Archives and History, P.O. Box 
571, Jackson, MS 39205-0571, telephone (601) 576-6944, email 
[email protected], by May 14, 2018. After that date, if no additional 
requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains 
and associated funerary objects to the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas 
(previously listed as the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas), Jena Band 
of Choctaw Indians, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, The Chickasaw 
Nation, The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, 
The Quapaw Tribe of Indians, and the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe may 
proceed.
    The Mississippi Department of Archives and History is responsible 
for notifying the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas (previously listed 
as the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas), Jena Band of Choctaw 
Indians, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, The Chickasaw Nation, The 
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, The Quapaw 
Tribe of Indians, and the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe that this notice 
has been published.

    Dated: March 22, 2018.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2018-07699 Filed 4-12-18; 8:45 am]
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