[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 94 (Thursday, May 14, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28975-28977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-10345]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0030131; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Department of Anthropology, 
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist 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 the Department of 
Anthropology, Southern Methodist 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

[[Page 28976]]

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 Department of Anthropology, Southern 
Methodist University at the address in this notice by June 15, 2020.

ADDRESSES: B. Sunday Eiselt, Department of Anthropology, Southern 
Methodist University, 3225 Daniel Avenue, Heroy Hall #450, Dallas, TX 
75205, telephone (2114) 768-2915, 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 Department of 
Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX. The human 
remains and associated funerary objects were removed from Freestone 
County and Navarro County, TX.
    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 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 
Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University 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

    The Richland Creek Archaeological Project (RCAP) was conducted by 
Southern Methodist University (SMU) at the request of the Tarrant 
County Water Control and Improvement District Number One in an attempt 
to prepare a cultural resources management plan prior to construction 
of the Richland/Chambers Reservoir, and to explore the archeology of 
this region of TX.
    Between 1980 and 1981, human remains representing, at minimum, four 
individuals were removed from site 41FT161B in Freestone County, TX, 
during the RCAP. Burial 1 is an adult individual of unknown sex, 
although possibly female based on the gracile nature of the human 
remains. Burial 2 is a 50-60 year old female, who was buried semi-
flexed on the right side, with the head to the north. Burial 3 is an 
adult individual of unknown sex, although possibly female. (That Burial 
3 is actually a portion of Burial 1 due to its location downslope of 
Burial 1, as indicated by the field notes, cannot be confirmed.) Burial 
4 is an adult individual of unknown sex, although possibly female, who 
was buried semi-flexed on the left side, with the hands clasped and 
placed beneath the head, oriented in an east-west direction. No known 
individuals were identified. The three associated funerary objects are 
one Gary point, one chert blade, and one Steiner point.
    Archeologists William A. Martin and Daniel E. McGregor dated the 
major occupation of the site to A.D. 600-900 based on radiocarbon, 
lithic, and ceramic evidence. The Gary dart and arrow points, as well 
as the coarse-grained sandy paste sherds, suggest Late Prehistoric 
(A.D. 700-1650) occupation.
    Between 1980 and 1981, human remains representing, at minimum, five 
individuals were recovered from site 41NV179 in Navarro County, TX, 
during the RCAP. Burial A is an individual of unknown age and sex, due 
to the fragmentary nature of the remains. Burial B is an individual of 
unknown age and sex, who was buried flexed on the back with the arms 
crossed in front of the chest at the forearms. Burial C is an 
individual of unknown age and sex, who was buried on the back with the 
feet flexed beneath the body, the knees tucked in to the chest and the 
arms extended. Burial D is an individual of unknown age and sex. Burial 
E is an individual of unknown age and sex who does not appear in any of 
the official reports or field documentation. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Major 
occupation of the site is dated to A.D. 600-900 based on lithic and 
ceramic evidence.
    Between 1980 and 1984, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from the Hardy site (41FT200) in Freestone 
County, TX, during the RCAP. Burial 1 is an adult male less than 30 
years old, whose fragmentary remains were recovered from the slough 
trench of the site. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Archeologist Daniel E. McGregor dated the major occupation of the 
site to the Middle Archaic to Late Prehistoric periods, based on 
ceramic evidence together with expanding and contracting stem 
projectile points.
    Between 1980 and 1981, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from the Oxbow site (41NV243) in Navarro 
County, TX, during the RCAP. Burial 1 is a 35-45 year old male, who was 
buried semi-flexed on the right side, with the head to the southeast 
and facing downslope. No known individuals were identified. The 21 
associated funerary objects are two lots of chips, two lots of broken 
flakes, four lots of shell, one lot of baked clay, three bifaces, two 
projectile points, three lots of whole flakes, two lots of unifaces, 
and two ground stones.
    Between 1980 and 1984, human remains representing, at minimum, 
seven individuals were removed from the Irvine site (41NV182) in 
Navarro County, TX, during the RCAP. Burial 1 is a 25-35 year old 
individual of indeterminate sex. Burial 2 contains three individuals: 
One is a 35-45 year old male, a second is an adult individual of 
indeterminate sex who is represented only by a single tibia fragment, 
and the third is a child of indeterminate sex who is represented only 
by the cranium. Burial 3 is a 6-10 year old individual of unknown sex, 
although possibly female. Burial 9 is a 25-35 year old female, who was 
buried flexed and on the right side, with the head to the north. The 
seventh individual is of unknown age and sex. Lack of accompanying 
provenience information precludes a determination as to whether the 
remains of this individual are portions of an existing or missing 
burial from the site, or belong to a separate individual altogether. No 
known individuals were identified. The 43 associated funerary objects 
are four Gary dart points, one Dawson dart point, one Yarbrough dart 
point, one untyped straight stem point, one dart point tip fragment, 
one dart point base fragment, one sherd, one uniface, three bifaces, 
five biface fragments, five lot of baked clay, five lots of flakes, two 
lot of cobbles, two spalls, one mano, one core fragment, one lot of 
shatter, two lots of shell, one lot of fire cracked rock, two lots of 
unsorted material, one lot of mixed faunal remains, and one faunal bone 
(perhaps belonging to a bird).
    Archeologists Daniel E. McGregor and Jeffery Bohlin dated the major 
occupation of the site to A.D. 700-900, based on the lithic evidence 
(contracting stem Gary dart and arrow points), ceramic materials 
(coarse-grained, sandy paste sherds), and the presence of large 
roasting and trash pits. There were two additional minor occupations of 
the site during the Late Archaic (as evidenced by expanding and 
straight stem dart points) and the Late Prehistoric (as

[[Page 28977]]

shown by radiocarbon dated materials from A.D. 1140  50).
    Between 1980 and 1984, human remains representing, at minimum, nine 
individuals were removed from the Adams Ranch site (41NV177) in Navarro 
County, TX, during the RCAP. Burial 1 is a 35-45+ year old female 
dating to the A.D. 200-700 component of the site. Burial 2 is a 6-8 
year old child of unknown sex dating to the A.D. 800-1000 component of 
the site. Burial 3 is an adult individual of unknown sex (represented 
only by the left temporal bone) dating to the A.D. 200-700 component of 
the site. Burial 4 is a 7-9 year old child represented by cranial and 
long bone fragments. Burial 5 is an adult male. Burial 6 is a 30-40 
year old male dating to the A.D. 200-700 component of the site. Burial 
7 is an 18-24 month old child dating to the A.D. 200-700 component of 
the site. Burial 8 is an adult individual of unknown sex, who was found 
alongside Burial 2, and is represented only by a right parietal 
fragment. The ninth individual is represented by unidentified, 
miscellaneous skeletal remains provenienced to Trench 17 of the site. 
No known individuals were identified. The six associated funerary 
objects are one bag of shell fragments, one Gary point, one small arrow 
point (possibly Bonham type), one ceramic sherd, and two shells.
    Archeologist William A. Martin identified three major occupations 
of Adams Ranch, and believed it to have functioned as a hunting/
collecting camp. The three periods of occupation were the Late Archaic 
(A.D. 200-700), Early Round Prairie Phase (A.D. 800-1000), and the St. 
Elmo Phase (post A.D. 1000). One feature of interest at the site was a 
large central pit believed to be a Wylie Focus pit used for roasting, 
trash disposal, and burial.
    Between 1980 and 1984, human remains representing, at minimum, 22 
individuals were removed from the Bird Point Island site (41FT201) in 
Freestone County, TX, during the RCAP. These individuals were recovered 
from formal burials and as fragments or cremations within non-burial 
contexts. Burial 1 is an adult individual of unknown sex dating to the 
A.D. 1000-1200 occupation of the site. Burial 2 is an adult male dating 
to the A.D. 580-860 occupation of the site. Burial 3 is an adult male 
dating to the 170 B.C. to A.D. 130 occupation of the site. Burial 8 is 
a 25-30 year old male dating to the A.D. 1300-1650 occupation of the 
site, who was buried extended and prone, with the left arm positioned 
under the chest, clasping the right wrist, and the head oriented in an 
east-west direction. Burial 9/11 is a 25-30 year old male, whose 
skeleton is complete and well-preserved except for the hand, foot, and 
upper facial bones. Burial 10 is an adult female found alongside Burial 
9/11, who is represented by fragmentary remains of a right radius, 
lower ribs, and calcaneus. Burial 12 is a post-adolescent individual of 
unknown sex represented by occipital, parietal, and long bone 
fragments. Burial 13 is an adult female, who was buried tightly flexed 
and with the head to the west. Burial 14 is an infant of unknown sex, 
who is represented by craniofacial and upper thoracic remains. Burial 
15 is an adult female represented by cranial and lower axial skeletal 
remains, who was buried semi-flexed on the right side and with the face 
to the north. Burial 16 is an adult female dating to the A.D. 1300-1650 
occupation of the site, who was buried semi-flexed on the right side, 
with the forearms brought forward toward the face. Feature 91 contained 
a possible cremation dating to the A.D. 1000-1200 occupation of the 
site, represented by burned bone fragments recovered from flotation. 
Features 65, 77, 90, 92, 93, 107, and 110 also contained burned bone 
fragments believed to represent cremations due to the fact that these 
feature numbers are absent from the feature inventory, and the official 
report states that any features later determined to be cremations were 
re-designated as burials and removed from the inventory. Finally human 
remains belonging to three individuals (41FT201.403.14, 
41FT201.401.9.1, and 41FT201.403.10.8) are represented by bone 
fragments. The provenience information for these human remains is 
insufficient to conclusively determine whether they are portions of 
existing or missing burials in the collection, or separate individuals 
entirely. No known individuals were identified. The 10 associated 
funerary objects are two lots of assorted faunal remains; two lots of 
assorted shell, bone, and rock; three shells; one lot of wood; one lot 
of lithic debris; and one lot of shell, charcoal, and flakes.
    The Bird Point Island Site was occupied substantially over four 
periods of time: 170 B.C. to A.D. 130, A.D. 580-860, A.D. 1000-1200, 
and A.D. 1300-1650. Bird Point Island contained a large central pit 
similar to the one at Adams Ranch, and was believed to be a Wylie Focus 
pit. Analysis of the cultural features, structures, and artifacts of 
the site suggests cultural relationships between the inhabitants of the 
site and the Caddo.
    All seven of these Richland Creek sites fall within historic Caddo 
territory, and finds from Wylie Focus sites (i.e. Bird Point Island and 
Adams Ranch) show influence of Caddo culture.

Determinations Made by the Department of Anthropology, Southern 
Methodist University

    Officials of the Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist 
University have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 49 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 83 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) 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 B. Sunday Eiselt, Department of Anthropology, 
Southern Methodist University, 3225 Daniel Avenue, Heroy Hall #450, 
Dallas, TX 75205, telephone (214) 768-2915, 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 Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University is 
responsible for The Tribes that this notice has been published.

    Dated: April 3, 2020.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2020-10345 Filed 5-13-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P