[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 26, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28378-28381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11121]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0031998; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: San Juan County Museum 
Association DBA Salmon Ruins Museum, Bloomfield, NM

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 28379]]

SUMMARY: The San Juan County Museum Association (hereafter referred to 
as the Salmon Ruins Museum) 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 or Native 
Hawaiian organizations. 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 Salmon Ruins 
Museum. 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: 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 Salmon Ruins Museum at the address in this notice by 
June 25, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Larry L. Baker, Executive Director, Salmon Ruins Museum, 
6131 US Highway 64, P.O. Box 125, Bloomfield, NM 87413, telephone (505) 
632-2013, 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 Salmon Ruins 
Museum, Bloomfield, NM. The human remains and associated funerary 
objects were removed from San Juan County, New Mexico.
    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 Salmon 
Ruins Museum professional staff in consultation with the Hopi Tribe of 
Arizona; Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico, & Utah; Pueblo of Acoma, 
New Mexico; Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Felipe, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Clara, New Mexico; Pueblo of Zia, New Mexico; 
and the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico. The Jicarilla 
Apache Nation, New Mexico; Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
Isleta, New Mexico; Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico; Pueblo of Laguna, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Nambe, New Mexico; Pueblo of Picuris, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of San Ildefonso, New Mexico; Pueblo of Sandia, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo of Taos, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
Tesuque, New Mexico; Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute 
Reservation, Colorado; Ute Mountain Ute Tribe [previously listed as Ute 
Mountain Tribe of the Ute Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New Mexico, & 
Utah]; and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo [previously listed as Ysleta Del 
Sur Pueblo of Texas] were invited to consult but did not participate. 
Hereafter, the above listed Indian Tribes are referred to as ``The 
Tribes.''

History and Description of the Remains

    Between 1970 and 1978, human remains representing, at minimum, 155 
individuals were removed from Salmon Ruins (aka Salmon Pueblo) in San 
Juan County, NM, by Eastern New Mexico University as part of the San 
Juan Valley Archaeological Program (SJVAP), directed by Dr. Cynthia 
Irwin-Williams. The SJVAP began in 1970. In 1973, the Salmon Ruins 
Museum was built to house the collections from the excavations at 
Salmon Pueblo, and since that date, these human remains and associated 
funerary objects have been held at the Museum. The human remains belong 
to 27 infants, 59 juveniles of undetermined sex, one probable female 
juvenile, 16 adult males, one probable adult male, 15 adult females, 33 
adults of undetermined sex, and three individuals of undetermined age 
and sex. No known individuals were identified. The 8,442 associated 
funerary items include 2,845 non-human animal bone artifacts, 2,577 
ceramic vessels or pieces, 1,187 ethnobotanical plant items, 39 pieces 
of turkey eggshell, 538 stone artifacts, 21 ornaments, 324 perishable 
items (including matting, cotton cloth, basketry, cordage, sandal 
fragments, yucca items, etc.), 463 wood artifacts, and 448 soil samples 
(removed during excavation from burial areas).
    Around 1938, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from a site on the Ben Crane Ranch, in the La 
Plata Valley, San Juan County, NM. In 1996, these human remains were 
donated to the Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains belong to a 
juvenile of undetermined sex and an adult female. No known individuals 
were identified. The seven associated funerary objects include one 
cloudblower pipe, three bone awls, and three pieces of animal bone.
    Around 1959, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from an unknown site most likely located in 
San Juan County, NM. Sometime prior to 1996, these human remains were 
donated to the Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains--two skulls--
belong to a female of undetermined age and a male of undetermined age. 
No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects 
are present.
    At some point in the 1960s, human remains representing, at minimum, 
one individual were removed from an unknown site in Largo Canyon, San 
Juan County, NM. In 2008, these human remains were donated to the 
Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains--a skull with partial mandible--
belong to an adult male. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    At some point in the 1960s, human remains representing, at minimum, 
one individual were removed from an unknown site in Largo Canyon, San 
Juan County, NM. In 2007, these human remains were donated to the 
Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains--a skull--belong to an adult 
male. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    Around 1968, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from an unknown site most likely located in 
San Juan County, NM. In 1996, these human remains were donated to the 
Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains--two skulls--belong to an adult 
male and an adult female. No known individuals were identified. The two 
associated funerary objects are rim sherds from a ceramic bowl.
    In 1972, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from a site on private land in San Juan County, NM. The 
site is designated SJ 146. In 1981, these human remains were donated to 
the Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains belong to a juvenile. No 
known individual was identified. The 10 associated funerary objects are 
nine pieces of animal bone and one soil sample taken from the burial 
area.

[[Page 28380]]

    In 1972, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from a site on private land located west of Salmon Ruins 
(Pueblo) in San Juan County, NM. In 1973, these human remains were 
donated to the Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains belong to a 
juvenile. No known individual was identified. The nine associated 
funerary objects are one metate stone used as a grave cover and eight 
animal bones.
    In 1973, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from a site on private land in San Juan County, NM. The 
site is designated ENM 5109. In 1975, these human remains were donated 
to the Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains belong to an adult male. 
No known individual was identified. The two associated funerary objects 
include one ceramic vessel and one soil sample taken from the burial 
area.
    Sometime prior to 1975, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from an unknown site most likely located in 
San Juan County, NM. In 1975, these human remains were donated to the 
Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains belong to an adult male and an 
adult of unknown sex. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Sometime prior to 1975, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from an unknown site most likely located in 
San Juan County, NM. In 1996, these human remains were donated to the 
Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains--two skulls with mandibles--
belong to an adult male and an adult female. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1975, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from the Morris 41 site (ENM 5098) in the La Plata Valley, 
San Juan County, NM. In 1975, these human remains were donated to the 
Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains belong to a juvenile. No known 
individual was identified. The four associated funerary objects are 
soil samples from the burial area.
    In 1976, human remains representing, at minimum, three individuals 
were removed from an unknown site most likely located in San Juan 
County, NM. Sometime prior to 1996, these human remains were donated to 
the Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains belong to an adult of 
unknown sex and two juveniles. No known individuals were identified. 
The seven associated funerary objects are ceramic sherds.
    In 1977, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed from an unknown site in the vicinity of Gobernador, San 
Juan County, NM. Sometime prior to 1996, these human remains were 
donated to the Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains belong to an 
adult male and an adult female. No known individuals were identified. 
The 11 associated funerary objects are ceramic sherds.
    Sometime prior to 1981, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from an unknown site most likely located in San 
Juan County, NM. In 1981, these human remains were donated to the 
Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains--a skull and mandible--belong to 
an adult male. No known individual was identified. The 31 associated 
funerary objects are ceramic vessel sherds.
    Sometime prior to 1990, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from the Roberts site in the La Plata Valley, 
San Juan County, NM. In 1980, these human remains were donated to the 
Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains belong to an adult male. No 
known individual was identified. The 525 associated funerary objects 
include 225 ceramic sherds, four pieces of burned adobe, 295 stone 
tools and artifacts, and one corn cob.
    In 1990, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from site LA 10274, located just west of the Salmon Ruins 
Museum in San Juan County, NM. In 1990, these human remains were 
donated to the Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains belong to an 
individual of unknown age and sex. No known individual was identified. 
No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1994, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed from site LA 104984 in San Juan County, NM. In 1995, these 
human remains were donated to the Salmon Ruins Museum. The human 
remains belong to an adult female and a juvenile. No known individuals 
were identified. The 146 associated funerary objects include 66 ceramic 
sherds, 60 animal bones, 12 stone artifacts, two pieces of wood 
charcoal, and six pollen samples.
    Sometime prior to 1996, human remains representing, at minimum, 
three individuals were removed from an unknown site most likely located 
in San Juan County, NM. In 1996, these human remains were donated to 
the Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains--two skulls--belong to two 
adult males. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Sometime prior to 1996, human remains representing, at minimum, 
four individuals were removed from an unknown site most likely located 
in San Juan County, NM. In 1996, these human remains were donated to 
the Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains belong to three juveniles 
and one adult female. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Sometime prior to 1996, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from an unknown site most likely located in 
San Juan County, NM, and were donated to the Salmon Ruins Museum. The 
human remains belong to two juveniles. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Sometime prior to 1996, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from an unknown site most likely located in San 
Juan County, NM. In 1996, these human remains were donated to the 
Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains belong to an adult of 
undetermined sex. No known individual was identified. The 24 associated 
funerary objects are three partial ceramic vessels, two ceramic 
handles, one ceramic human leg effigy, one stone artifact, 12 bone 
artifacts, and five minerals.
    In 2008, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed from site LA 159001, near Farmington, San Juan County, NM. 
In 2008, these human remains were donated to the Salmon Ruins Museum. 
The human remains belong to an adult female and a juvenile. No known 
individuals were identified. The 415 associated funerary objects 
include 367 ceramic sherds, one piece of burned adobe, 39 stone tools 
and artifacts, one bone awl, three pieces of yellow ochre, three pieces 
of wood-charcoal, and one soil sample from the burial area.
    Sometime prior to 2011, human remains representing, at a minimum, 
one individual were removed from an unknown site most likely located in 
San Juan County, NM. In 2011, these human remains were donated to the 
Salmon Ruins Museum. The human remains--a mandible--belong to an adult 
male. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.

Determinations Made by Salmon Ruin Museum

    Officials of the Salmon Ruins Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice are Native American based on their discovery in Native 
American sites and locations.

[[Page 28381]]

     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 194 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 9,635 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.
     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 
Tribes.
     Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the disposition of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects may be to The Tribes.

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 Larry L. 
Baker, Executive Director, Salmon Ruins Museum, 6131 US Highway 64, 
P.O. Box 125, Bloomfield, NM 87413, telephone (505) 632-2013, email 
[email protected], by June 25, 2021. 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 Salmon Ruins Museum is responsible for notifying The Tribes 
that this notice has been published.

    Dated: May 17, 2021.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2021-11121 Filed 5-25-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P