[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 94 (Thursday, May 14, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28978-28979]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-10344]



[[Page 28978]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0030085; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Arizona Museum of Natural 
History, Mesa, AZ

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Arizona Museum of Natural 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 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 Arizona Museum of Natural History. 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 Arizona Museum of Natural History at the 
address in this notice by June 15, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Melanie Deer, Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 N 
MacDonald, Mesa, AZ 85201, telephone (480) 644-4381, 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 Arizona Museum of 
Natural History, Mesa, AZ. The human remains and associated funerary 
objects were removed from various locations in AZ.
    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 Arizona 
Museum of Natural History professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River 
Indian Reservation, Arizona; Hopi Tribe of Arizona; and the Salt River 
Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona.

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1979, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed near Florence, Pinal County, AZ. On August 4, 1984 they 
were donated to the Arizona Museum of Natural History by Al Heimer 
(presumably the person who excavated them). No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on current archeological evidence, the region where these 
human remains were collected was occupied in prehistoric times by 
people belonging to the Hohokam Material Culture. Based on current 
archeological and ethnographic evidence, these people are ancestral to 
the Four Southern Tribes of Arizona (i.e., the Tohono O'odham Nation, 
Gila River Indian Community, Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community, 
and Ak-Chin Indian Community) and the Hopi Tribe. The Four Southern 
Tribes of Arizona divide their ancestral lands such that each Tribe 
oversees those portions closest to their reservations. The Florence 
area is primarily Gila River Indian Community ancestral land.
    Sometime prior to December 29, 1984, human remains representing, at 
minimum, one individual were removed from land in AZ. This individual 
was donated to the Arizona Museum of Natural History on December 29, 
1984 by Gregory Brooks, a resident of Chandler, Maricopa County, AZ. No 
known individual was identified. The one associated funerary object is 
one lot of ceramic sherds.
    Based on the style of the ceramics, the human remains and object 
are related to people belonging to the prehistoric Hohokam Material 
Culture, who are ancestral to the Four Southern Tribes of Arizona 
(i.e., the Tohono O'odham Nation, Gila River Indian Community, Salt 
River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community, and Ak-Chin Indian Community) and 
the Hopi Tribe. Maricopa County is primarily Gila River Indian 
Community and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community ancestral land, 
and the Chandler area is primarily Gila River Indian Community 
ancestral land.
    Sometime prior to November 20, 1980, human remains representing, at 
minimum, two individuals were removed from land in AZ. On November 20, 
1980, William Chesley facilitated the anonymous donation of the human 
remains to the Arizona Museum of Natural History. No known individuals 
were identified. The four associated funerary objects are three ceramic 
jars and one ceramic bowl.
    Based on the style of the ceramics, the human remains and objects 
are related to people belonging to the prehistoric Hohokam Material 
Culture. Based on archeological and ethnographic evidence, these people 
are ancestral to the Four Southern Tribes of Arizona (i.e., the Tohono 
O'odham Nation, Gila River Indian Community, Salt River-Pima Maricopa 
Indian Community, and Ak-Chin Indian Community) and the Hopi Tribe. As 
the facilitator (Chesley) also made a donation to the museum that 
originated from the Pettijohn Site in Stanfield, Pinal County, AZ, 
which is on Gila River Indian Community ancestral land, the Gila River 
Indian Community and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community have 
decided that the Gila River Indian Community would take the lead with 
respect to these human remains and objects.
    Sometime prior to November 17, 1977, human remains representing, at 
minimum, one individual were removed from the Pettijohn Site in 
Stanfield, Pinal County, AZ. On November 17, 1977, the human remains 
were donated to the Arizona Museum of Natural History by William 
Chesley. No known individual was identified. The one associated 
funerary object is a ceramic jar.
    Although no information is known about the Pettijohn Site itself, 
based on the style of the ceramic jar and the location of the site, the 
human remains and object are related to people belonging to the 
prehistoric Hohokam Material Culture, who are ancestral to the Four 
Southern Tribes of Arizona (i.e., the Tohono O'odham Nation, Gila River 
Indian Community, Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community, and Ak-
Chin Indian Community) and the Hopi Tribe. The Pettijohn Site is 
primarily Gila River Indian Community ancestral land.

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    On November 30, 1983, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from a house in Mesa, Maricopa County, AZ. 
These individuals were found by a construction crew, who alerted the 
Mesa Police Department. The human remains were determined to be 
associated with a prehistoric site. Subsequently, they were donated to 
the Arizona Museum of Natural History. No known individuals were 
identified. The one associated funerary object is a shell bracelet.
    Based on current archeological evidence, the region where these 
human remains were collected was occupied in prehistoric times by 
people belonging to the Hohokam Material Culture. Based on 
archeological and ethnographic evidence, these people are ancestral to 
the Four Southern Tribes of Arizona (i.e., the Tohono O'odham Nation, 
Gila River Indian Community, Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community, 
and Ak-Chin Indian Community) and the Hopi Tribe. The Mesa area is 
primarily Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community ancestral land.
    From 1979 to 1991, human remains representing, at minimum, 75 
individuals were removed from Park of the Canals in Mesa, Maricopa 
County, AZ. This portion of the site was excavated by the Southwest 
Archaeological Team, led by Sam Baar. No known individuals were 
identified. The eight associated funerary objects are ceramic vessels.
    Based on the style of the ceramics and the location of the site, 
the human remains and objects are related to people belonging to the 
Hohokam Material Culture. Based on current archeological and 
ethnographic evidence, these people are ancestral to the Four Southern 
Tribes of Arizona (i.e., the Tohono O'odham Nation, Gila River Indian 
Community, Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community, and Ak-Chin 
Indian Community) and the Hopi Tribe. The Mesa area is primarily Salt 
River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community ancestral land.
    In 2005, 2010, and 2011, human remains representing, at minimum, 
four individuals were removed from the Riverview site in Mesa, Maricopa 
County, AZ. No known individuals were identified. The two associated 
funerary objects are one ceramic bowl and one lot of sherds.
    Based on the style of the ceramics and the location of the site, 
the human remains and objects are related to people belonging to the 
Hohokam Material Culture. Based on current archeological and 
ethnographic evidence, these people are ancestral to the Four Southern 
Tribes of Arizona (i.e., the Tohono O'odham Nation, Gila River Indian 
Community, Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community, and Ak-Chin 
Indian Community) and the Hopi Tribe. The Mesa area is primarily Salt 
River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community ancestral land.
    Prior to 2018, human remains representing, at minimum, 11 
individuals were removed from AZ. The human remains were found during 
the cleaning of an archeological lab at the Arizona Museum of Natural 
History used for studying prehistoric Hohokam Material Culture. No 
known individuals were identified. The nine associated funerary objects 
are one lot of corn, one lot of beans, two lots of stones, one lot of 
possible asbestos, one ceramic bowl, two lots of sherds, and one lot of 
soil associated with cremation.
    Based on the lab's use, the human remains and objects are related 
to people belonging to the prehistoric Hohokam Material Culture. Based 
on archeological and ethnographic evidence, these people are ancestral 
to the Four Southern Tribes of Arizona (i.e., the Tohono O'odham 
Nation, Gila River Indian Community, Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian 
Community, and Ak-Chin Indian Community) and the Hopi Tribe.
    Sometime prior to 1982, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from Mesa Grande in Mesa, Maricopa County, AZ. 
The human remains were excavated by Midvale and donated to the Arizona 
Museum of Natural History in 1982. No known individual was identified. 
The two associated funerary objects are one burn corn and one lot of 
ceramic sherds.
    Based on the style of the ceramics and location of the site, the 
human remains and objects are related to people belonging to the 
prehistoric Hohokam Material Culture. Based on current archeological 
and ethnographic evidence, theses people are ancestral to the Four 
Southern Tribes of Arizona (i.e., the Tohono O'odham Nation, Gila River 
Indian Community, Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community, and Ak-
Chin Indian Community) and the Hopi Tribe. The Mesa Grande site is 
primarily Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community ancestral land.

Determinations Made by the Arizona Museum of Natural History

    Officials of the Arizona 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 98 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 28 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 Ak-Chin 
Indian Community (previously listed as Ak Chin Indian Community of the 
Maricopa (Ak Chin) Indian Reservation, Arizona); Gila River Indian 
Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona; Hopi Tribe of 
Arizona; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt River 
Reservation, Arizona; and the Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona 
(hereafter referred to as ``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 Melanie Deer, Arizona Museum of Natural 
History, 53 N MacDonald, Mesa, AZ 85201, telephone (480) 644-4381, 
email [email protected], by June 15, 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.
    The Arizona Museum of Natural History is responsible for notifying 
The Tribes that this notice has been published.

    Dated: March 25, 2020.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2020-10344 Filed 5-13-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P