[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66583-66584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25523]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0033014; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Florida State University, 
Department of Anthropology Tallahassee, FL

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Anthropology at Florida State University 
(FSU) 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 at FSU. 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 Department of Anthropology at FSU at the 
address in this notice by December 23, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Geoffrey Thomas, Florida State 
University, Department of Anthropology, 60 North Woodward Avenue, 
Tallahassee, FL 32306, telephone (850) 644-8156, 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 Florida State 
University, Department of Anthropology, Tallahassee, FL. The human 
remains and associated funerary objects were removed from Jefferson 
County and Wakulla County, FL.
    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 
Department of Anthropology at FSU professional staff in consultation 
with representatives of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians; Seminole Tribe 
of Florida [previously listed as Seminole Tribe of Florida (Dania, Big 
Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood, & Tampa Reservations)]; Thlopthlocco 
Tribal Town; and the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe (hereafter referred to 
as ``The Tribes'').

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1964, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from Oakland Mound and Village Area (8JE53), in Jefferson 
County, FL, by D. Phelps. This site was recorded in 1956 by Florida 
State University and was initially excavated in 1958-1959 by Charles 
Fairbanks, Edward Dolan, and Bennie Keel. In 1964, D. Phelps excavated 
test squares within the burial mound. The human remains from Phelps' 
excavations have

[[Page 66584]]

been at Florida State University since that investigation. They belong 
to an individual of unknown age and sex. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1966, human remains representing, at minimum, 15 individuals 
were removed from the Marsh Island Site (8WA1), in Wakulla County, FL, 
by R.O. Brock and brought to FSU. Based on information provided by 
Brock in the site report, a total of seven intrusive burials were found 
that, together, contained at least 15 individuals. These intrusive 
burials were classified as belonging to either the Weeden Island or 
Fort Walton cultural phase. No known individuals were identified. The 
three associated funerary objects are plain ceramic sherds.
    In 1966, human remains representing, at minimum, four individuals 
were removed from the Nichols Site (8WA3) in Wakulla County, FL, by D. 
Phelps of Florida State University. All the burials at this site were 
superficial. The mound has been completely destroyed, but contextual 
information suggests it is a Weeden island platform mound with 
intrusive Fort Walton burials. No known individuals were identified. 
The 14 associated funerary objects are stamped and plain ceramic 
sherds.

Determinations Made by the Department of Anthropology, Florida State 
University

    Officials of the Department of Anthropology, Florida State 
University have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 20 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 17 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 Dr. Geoffrey Thomas, Florida State 
University, Department of Anthropology, 60 North Woodward Avenue, 
Tallahassee, FL 32306, telephone (850) 644-8156, email 
[email protected], by December 23, 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 Department of Anthropology, Florida State University is 
responsible for notifying The Tribes that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: November 17, 2021.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2021-25523 Filed 11-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P