[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 62 (Monday, April 1, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12274-12277]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-06268]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0027398; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of 
Natural History, Norman, OK

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (Museum) at 
the University of Oklahoma 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 a cultural affiliation between the human remains and 
associated funerary objects 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 
and associated funerary objects should submit a written request to the 
Museum. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control 
of the human remains and associated funerary objects 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 and associated 
funerary objects should submit a written request with information in 
support of the request to the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural 
History at the address in this notice by May 1, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Marc Levine, Assistant Curator of Archaeology, Sam Noble 
Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, 2401 
Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK 73072-7029, telephone (405) 325-1994, 
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 Sam Noble Oklahoma 
Museum of Natural History, Norman, OK. The human remains and associated 
funerary objects were removed from the following counties in the State 
of Oklahoma: Cherokee, Delaware, Haskell, Hughes, Latimer, McClain, 
Muskogee, Oklahoma, Payne, and Pontotoc.
    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 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 Sam 
Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and 
the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie), 
Oklahoma.

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1939, human remains representing, at minimum, 21 individuals 
were removed from the Brackett site (34Ck43), located along the 
Illinois River in Cherokee County, OK. The excavations were carried out 
by the Works Progress Administration, and cultural materials were 
subsequently donated to the Museum on an unknown date.
    The human remains include bone fragments and/or teeth of one child, 
4-6 years old; one child, 7-9 years old; one adolescent, 12-20 years 
old of indeterminate sex; one adolescent or young adult of 
indeterminate sex; one adult, greater than 20 years old, probably a 
male; one adult, greater than 20 years old of indeterminate sex; one 
young adult, 20-35 years old of indeterminate sex; one middle-aged 
adult, 35-50 years old of indeterminate sex; and one older adult, 
greater than 50 years old of indeterminate sex. The remains also 
include two commingled sets of remains: One containing an adolescent 
and one adult male, and the other containing one young adult, 20-35 
years old, and one middle-aged adult, 35-50 years old, both of 
indeterminate sex. No known individuals were identified. The 78 
associated funerary objects are one stone double-bit axe, one stone 
biface, four stone blade fragments, one quartzite core, one stone core 
fragment, six stone flakes, one chipped-

[[Page 12275]]

stone hoe, one stone knife, two stone spear points, three stone 
projectile points, five stone projectile point fragments, two stone 
scrapers, two stone scraper fragments, one stone ear spool, four stone 
ear spool fragments, one ground stone hoe fragment, one mano, three 
mano fragments, one quartz abrader, one hammerstone, one burned rock, 
five unmodified rocks, two ceramic pipe fragments, two ceramic bottles, 
one ceramic effigy vessel fragment, six restored ceramic vessels, three 
unrestored ceramic vessels, 15 sherds, and one shell fragment.
    The Brackett site was occupied during the Mississippian Period 
(A.D. 1000-1500). Diagnostic artifacts, architectural features, and 
radiocarbon dates indicate that the human remains were probably buried 
during the Harlan and Norman phases (A.D. 1100-1350).
    In 1939-1940, human remains representing, at minimum, eight 
individuals were removed from the Smullins 1 site (34Ck44), located 
along the Illinois River in Cherokee County, OK. This site was 
discovered by the University of Oklahoma while supervising excavations 
by the Works Progress Administration, and were subsequently donated to 
the Museum on an unknown date. The human remains include a complete 
skeleton of one adult female, 35-50 years old; one complete skeleton of 
an adult male, 20-35 years old; one partial skeleton of an adult male, 
25-40 years old; one fragmentary skeleton of an adolescent, 12-14 years 
old; three partial skeletons of infants, each approximately one year 
old; and a partial skeleton of a young child, 2-4 years old. No known 
individuals were identified. The 26 associated funerary objects are 
four faunal bones, 12 faunal bone fragments, one faunal bone bead, two 
stone points, three stone scrapers, two stone flakes, one stone blade, 
and one shell fragment.
    Diagnostic artifacts from 34Ck44 demonstrate that the site was 
occupied intermittently during the Middle to Late Archaic (4000-300 
B.C.) and Woodland (300 B.C.-A.D. 1000) Periods, though the burials 
probably date to the latter period.
    In 1939, human remains representing, at minimum, 23 individuals 
were removed from the Smullins 2 site (34Ck45), located along the 
Illinois River in Cherokee County, OK. The associated material was 
collected by the Works Progress Administration, and was later 
transferred to the Museum on an unknown date. The human remains include 
complete skeletons of one young adult male, 25-30 years old, and a 
child, 6-7 years old; partial skeletons of one older adult female 
greater than 50 years old; a child, 6-7 years old; and an infant less 
than 6 months old; and fragmentary skeletons of one older adult male, 
greater than 50 years old; one older adult female greater than 50 years 
old; one middle-aged adult male, 35-50 years old; one young adult 
female, 20-25 years old; two additional adults, one probably a male and 
the other of indeterminate sex; a child, 6-8 years old; and one infant 
approximately one year old. The human remains also include the 
commingled remains of one infant less than six months; one infant 
approximately a year and a half old; one infant, 2-3 years old; two 
children, 6-8 years old; one child, 7-9 years old; one adolescent, 12-
15 years old; two young adults of indeterminate sex, 18-22 years old; 
and one older adult male greater than 50 years old. No known 
individuals were identified. The 330 associated funerary objects are 
three ash samples, three bone awls, 10 bone beads, one polished faunal 
bone fragment, 180 faunal bone and tooth fragments, two stone axes, one 
stone biface, one stone biface fragment, 72 stone flakes, two stone 
knives, three stone knife fragments, 11 stone projectile points, six 
stone projectile point fragments, two stone scraper fragments, two 
manos, one hammerstone fragment, five unmodified rocks, two bags of red 
ochre, three pottery sherds, four modified large bivalve shells, five 
unmodified large bivalve shells, and 11 shells and shell fragments.
    Diagnostic artifacts associated with the Smullins 2 site burials 
indicate the interments most likely occurred during the Mississippian 
Period (A.D. 1000-1500).
    In 1985-1986, human remains representing, at minimum, 4 individuals 
were removed from the Bohannon site (34Hu61) in Hughes County, OK. The 
site was excavated by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, the 
associated materials were transferred to the Museum in 2006. The human 
remains include complete skeletons of two adult males, 30-45 years old 
and 35-50 years old; a fragmentary skeleton of an adult female; and 
bone fragments of an adult of indeterminate sex. No known individuals 
were identified. The 4,528 associated funerary objects are 28 charcoal 
samples, 2,005 faunal bone fragments, one faunal bone hair pin, four 
stone bifaces, two stone biface fragments, three stone projectile 
points, one stone core, 23 chipped stone debris fragments, 1,308 stone 
flakes, six cobbles, one green paint stone, 174 ground stone fragments, 
14 hematite fragments, 498 unmodified pebbles, 78 sandstone fragments, 
four sandstone spalls, 198 clay fragments, 10 pottery sherds, 84 
samples of botanical remains, 19 shell fragments, five turtle shell 
fragments, and 62 soil samples.
    Diagnostic artifacts and radiocarbon dates indicate that 34Hu61 
dates to the Washita River phase of the Plains Village Period (A.D. 
1100-1450). The human remains and associated material were probably 
buried at that time as well.
    In 1976-1977, human remains representing, at minimum, 44 
individuals were removed from the McCutchan-McLaughlin site (34Lt11). 
The site is located along the Fourche Maline Creek in Latimer County, 
OK. Excavations at 34Lt11 were carried out by the University of 
Oklahoma archeological field school and the Oklahoma Anthropological 
Society, and the associated materials were transferred to the Museum in 
1980. The human remains include complete skeletons of four young adult 
females, 25-35 years old, and three middle-aged adult females, 35-50 
years old; partial skeletons of one child, 8-10 years old; one 
adolescent female, 16-18 years old; one young adult male, 20-35 years 
old; four middle-aged adult males, 35-50 years old; one middle-aged 
adult of indeterminate sex, 35-50 years old; and one older adult male, 
greater than 50 years old; fragmentary skeletons of one child, 3-5 
years old; one child, 5-7 years old; one adolescent, 10-15 years old; 
one adult greater than 20 years old, probably a female; one young adult 
male, 20-35 years old; one young adult of indeterminate sex, 20-35 
years old; one young adult male, 25-35 years old; one middle-aged adult 
female, 35-50 years old; two older adult males, greater than 40 years 
old; and one older female, greater than 40 years old; and bone 
fragments of two fetuses or newborns; one infant, 6 months to one year 
old; four infants, 1-3 years old; one child 3-4 years old; one 
adolescent of indeterminate sex, 15-20 years old; three adults of 
indeterminate sex, greater than 20 years old; one adult male, greater 
than 20 years old; one young adult female, 20-30 years old; and three 
middle-aged adult females, 35-50 years old. No known individuals were 
identified. The 7,890 associated funerary objects are one dog burial, 
two bone beads, four bone awls, three bone fish hooks, one canine tooth 
pendant, 3,545 faunal bone fragments, four bifaces, six biface 
fragments, one cobble fragment, one stone core, 3,549 stone flakes, one 
stone knife, one stone knife fragment, 37 stone projectile points, 22 
stone projectile point fragments, three stone scrapers, one boat stone, 
three manos, three mano fragments, five

[[Page 12276]]

hematite stones, one limonite stone, three sandstone fragments, two 
unmodified rocks, two ceramic sherds, five seed pods, 309 shell beads, 
356 shells and shell fragments, one pearl, and 18 charcoal samples.
    Diagnostic artifacts and radiocarbon dates demonstrate at least two 
distinct occupations at 34Lt11, one during the Late Archaic (1500-300 
B.C.), and the other during the Woodland Period (300 B.C-A.D. 1000). 
Most, if not all, of the human remains were probably buried during the 
Woodland Period occupation.
    In 1947, human remains representing, at minimum, 3 individuals were 
removed from the Allcorn site (34Ml1), located on a bluff overlooking 
the Canadian River in McClain County, OK. The site was excavated by the 
University of Oklahoma, and the associated materials were transferred 
to the Museum in 1981. The human remains include a complete skeleton of 
a middle-aged adult, 35-50 years old, probably a male; a mandible of an 
adult, probably a male; and bone fragments of an adult, probably a 
male. No known individuals were identified. The nine associated 
funerary objects are two bone awls and seven faunal bone fragments.
    Diagnostic artifacts from 34Ml1 indicate that the human remains 
were probably buried during the Village Farming Period (A.D. 1000-1500) 
and possibly the succeeding early contact era. Although located in 
central Oklahoma, analyses of the cultural materials from the site 
suggest the site was occupied by Arkansas River Basin Caddoan people.
    In 1974-1978, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from the Gann site (34Ms22) in Muskogee County, 
OK. This site was first recorded by the University of Oklahoma in 1963. 
The individual was found during a follow up survey conducted by the 
Oklahoma Archaeological Survey, and the associated materials were 
turned over to the Museum in 1978. The human remains include bone 
fragments of an adolescent of indeterminate sex, 16-22 years old. No 
known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present. The Gann site dates to the Mississippian Period (A.D. 1000-
1500), and the human remains were probably interred at that time.
    In 1969, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from the Wybark site (34Ms76) in Muskogee County, OK. The 
site was discovered during road construction, and was excavated by the 
Oklahoma Archeological Survey. The human remains and associated 
funerary objects were turned over to the Museum in 1969. The human 
remains include a partial skeleton of a middle-aged adult male, 35-50 
years old. No known individuals were identified. The 781 associated 
funerary objects are three bison scapula hoes, 32 bison scapula hoe 
fragments, 445 faunal bone fragments, 38 pottery sherds, 86 stone 
flakes, one burned corn kernel, one mussel shell, three snail shells, 
two ground stone fragments, 31 daub fragments, one charcoal sample, 137 
sandstone fragments, and one bag of burial matrix. A review of 
diagnostic artifacts from 34Ms76 indicate that the human remains and 
associated funerary objects were buried during the Fort Coffee phase of 
the Mississippian Period (A.D. 1450-1600).
    In 1956-1957, human remains representing, at minimum, 20 
individuals were removed from the Nagle site (34Ok4), located along the 
North Canadian River in Oklahoma County, OK. The Ashland Oil 
Corporation discovered the human remains and associated funerary 
objects while working on a gas line. The University of Oklahoma 
conducted salvage excavations and the materials were transferred to the 
Museum in 1957. The human remains include complete skeletons of one 
older adult male, greater than 50 years old; one young adult male, 20-
25 years old; and one young adult male, 25-30 years old; one partial 
skeleton of a child, 6-8 years old; and fragmentary skeletons of one 
young adult male, 25-35 years old; one adolescent female, 17-20 years 
old; and five infants all less than three years of age. The human 
remains also include bone fragments of one infant, 1-2 years old; one 
fetus or newborn; and one adult female; as well as commingled remains 
of two adults; 1 child, 1-3 years old; two children, 7-10 years old; 
and one infant less than six months old. No known individuals were 
identified. The 53 associated funerary objects are three stone flakes, 
four stone projectile points, one stone scraper, two stone ear spools, 
one stone abrader, one red paint stone, one unmodified rock, one 
ceramic jar, one ceramic bowl, 27 shell beads, seven mussel shell 
fragments, and four faunal bone fragments.
    Diagnostic artifacts and radiocarbon dates from site 34Ok4 indicate 
that the human remains were probably buried circa A.D. 1200. Although 
located in central Oklahoma, analyses of the cultural material from the 
site suggest it was occupied by Arkansas River Basin Caddoan people.
    In 1934, human remains representing, at minimum, five individuals 
were excavated by an amateur archaeologist at the Pickett Switch site 
(34Pn1) in Pontotoc County, OK. The human remains were subsequently 
transferred to the Museum at an unknown date. The human remains include 
one fragmentary skeleton of one infant, six months to one year old; and 
commingled remains of four adults, greater than 20 years old. One of 
these adults is male, another is probably male, and two are of 
indeterminate sex. No known individuals were identified. The 262 
associated funerary objects are 56 faunal bones fragments, one 
projectile point, 54 chipped stones, two ground stone celt fragments, 
14 daub fragments, 120 pottery sherds, one corn seed fragment, and 14 
basketry textile fragments. Diagnostic artifacts and radiocarbon dates 
suggest that the burials were probably interred around A.D. 1200 or 
slightly later.
    In 1975, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual was 
removed from the Perkins Burial site (34Py4) in Payne County, OK. Human 
remains and associated funerary objects were recovered from an eroding 
stream bank, and were donated to Oklahoma State University. They were 
later transferred to the Museum in 1977. The human remains include a 
partial skeleton of one young adult female, 20-35 years old. No known 
individuals were identified. The five associated funerary objects are 
two stone flakes, one grinding stone, one pottery sherd, and one shell 
fragment. Diagnostic artifacts from 34Py4 indicate that the human 
remains were buried during the Woodland Period (300 B.C.-A.D. 1000) or 
Plains Village Period (A.D. 900-1500).
    All of the human remains detailed in this notice were determined to 
be Native American based on their archeological context and collection 
history. Furthermore, all of the human remains and associated funerary 
offerings were most likely buried during the Woodland Period (300 B.C.-
A.D. 1000) or Mississippian Period (A.D. 1000-1500). No lineal 
descendants associated with the burials have been identified. 
Diagnostic artifacts (e.g., ceramics, chipped stone, ground stone, bone 
tools, and ornaments) from these sites are consistent with cultural 
patterns in the Arkansas River Valley. The archeological data, together 
with ethnohistoric data, ethnographic data, and tribal oral histories, 
support the finding that the human remains and associated funerary 
objects listed herein can be culturally affiliated with both the Caddo 
Nation of Oklahoma and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, 
Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie), Oklahoma.

[[Page 12277]]

Determinations Made by the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History

    Officials of the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History have 
determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 131 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 13,962 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), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the Native 
American human remains and associated funerary objects and the Caddo 
Nation of Oklahoma and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, 
Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie), 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 
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 Dr. Marc Levine, Assistant Curator of 
Archaeology, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University 
of Oklahoma, 2401 Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK 73072-7029, telephone 
(405) 325-1994, email [email protected], by May 1, 2019. After that date, 
if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of 
the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Caddo Nation 
of Oklahoma and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, 
Waco & Tawakonie), Oklahoma may proceed.
    The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is responsible for 
notifying the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and the Wichita and Affiliated 
Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie), Oklahoma, that this notice 
has been published.

    Dated: February 25, 2019.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2019-06268 Filed 3-29-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P