[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 3, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12575-12576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04325]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0029818; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Auburn University, Auburn, AL

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Auburn University 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 
Auburn University. 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 Auburn University at the address in this 
notice by April 2, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Savannah Newell, Auburn University, 7030 Haley Center, 
Auburn, AL 36849, telephone (334) 844-5008, 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 Auburn University, 
Auburn, AL. The human remains and associated funerary objects were 
removed from the Abercrombie Site, Russell County, AL.
    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 Auburn 
University professional staff in consultation with representatives of 
the Kialegee Tribal Town; Miccosukee Tribe of Indians; Poarch Band of 
Creeks (previously listed as the Poarch Band of Creek Indians of 
Alabama); Seminole Tribe of Florida (previously listed as the Seminole 
Tribe of Florida (Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood & Tampa 
Reservations)); The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; The Seminole Nation of 
Oklahoma; and Thlopthlocco Tribal Town (hereafter referred to as ``The 
Tribes'').

History and Description of the Remains

    Sometime during the early 1960s, human remains representing, at 
minimum, one individual were removed from the Abercrombie Site in 
Russell County, AL. This individual, represented by a mandible, is 
estimated to be around 5 years old based on dental development. While 
specifics regarding the excavation of the cultural items listed in this 
notice are not fully known, the items likely derive from an excavation 
conducted during the 1960s by the Alabama Archaeological Society, and 
were transferred to Dr. John Cottier at Auburn University. No known 
individuals were identified. The three associated funerary objects are 
three vessels.
    Abercrombie (1-Ru-61), originally recorded by Wesley Hurt, is a 
large site along the Chattahoochee River and likely around the location 
of Coweta. The three vessels in this notice were listed as Ru[deg]1, 
the original number given by Wesley Hurt to the mound at Abercrombie. 
Included with them is a picture of a burial showing the human remains 
of a child. As best as can be determined, based on age assessments, 
this burial yielded the isolated mandible listed in this notice. 
Abercrombie chronology includes a Bull Creek Phase (representing a late 
Mississippian period) and an Abercrombie Phase (ca. A.D. 1550-1650), as 
well as 17th century occupation (based on European goods present at the 
site). Historically, this area was occupied by Hitchiti speakers and 
Lower Creek during the 17th century. These groups are ancestral to the 
present-day Creek and Seminole Indian Tribes.

Determinations Made by Auburn University

    Officials of Auburn University have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of one individual of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the three 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 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 
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 Savannah Newell, Auburn University, 7030 
Haley Center, Auburn, AL 36849, telephone (334) 844-5008, email 
[email protected], by April 2, 2020. After that date, if no additional 
requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains 
and associated funerary objects to The Tribes may proceed.

[[Page 12576]]

    Auburn University is responsible for notifying The Tribes that this 
notice has been published.

    Dated: February 10, 2020.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2020-04325 Filed 3-2-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P