[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 11, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61357-61361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22038]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0034594; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: William and Mary, Department of 
Anthropology, Williamsburg, VA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The William and Mary, Department of Anthropology has completed 
an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, in 
consultation with the appropriate

[[Page 61358]]

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 
William and Mary's Anthropology Department. 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 William and Mary's Anthropology Department at 
the address in this notice by November 10, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martin Gallivan, Anthropology 
Department, William and Mary, P.O. Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187-
8795, telephone (757) 221-3622, 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 William and Mary, 
Department of Anthropology, Williamsburg, VA. The human remains and 
associated funerary objects were removed from Charles City, New Kent, 
Chesterfield, Prince George, and York Counties, VA, and Hampton, VA.
    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 William and 
Mary's Anthropology Department professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe; Monacan Indian 
Nation; Nansemond Indian Nation (previously listed as Nansemond Indian 
Tribe); Pamunkey Indian Tribe; Rappahannock Tribe, Inc.; Upper 
Mattaponi Tribe; and the Mattaponi Indian Tribe, a non-federally 
recognized Indian group (hereafter referred to as ``The Consulted 
Tribes and Group'').

History and Description of the Remains

    The Anthropology Department's NAGPRA collection is comprised of 
human remains and associated funerary objects that were removed during 
excavations conducted at various sites in Virginia from 1967 through 
1978. Most of the excavations were carried out as part of the 
Chickahominy River Survey under the direction of Professors Norm Barka 
and Ben McCary. The project was designed to identify and investigate 
the villages of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe that were located along 
the Chickahominy River in present day Charles City and New Kent 
Counties.

Chickahominy River Survey--Edge Hill Site (44CC0029)

    The removal of the human remains from the Edge Hill Site took place 
in 1968, during excavations completed as part of the Chickahominy River 
Survey. Based on three radiocarbon dates the site's occupation was 
centered on the 13th and 14th centuries A.D. In total, five ossuaries 
containing 78 individuals and 250 associated funerary objects were 
uncovered. In addition to the five ossuaries, a dog burial was located 
near Ossuary 5. Several dog and pig burials were excavated from the 
sites included in the Chickahominy River Survey. They appear to 
represent ceremonial events related to the interment of the individuals 
buried in the ossuaries.

Ossuary 1

    In 1968, human remains representing at minimum, 16 individuals were 
removed from an ossuary burial context at the Edge Hill Site located 
along the Chickahominy River in Charles City County, VA (Ossuary 1). 
The human remains belong to two children with ages ranging between 2 
and 6 to 8 years; one young adult of undetermined sex; six adult 
females whose ages range between 18 to 45 years; two adult males whose 
ages range between 18 and 60 years old; two individuals of undetermined 
sex; and three individuals of undetermined age and sex. The 26 
associated funerary objects include 23 ceramic sherds, one unidentified 
quartzite projectile point, and two faunal fragments representing white 
tailed deer. None of these objects appeared to be directly associated 
with any one individual buried in the ossuary. Their identification as 
associated funerary objects was determined through consultation with 
The Consulted Tribes and Group.

Ossuary 2

    In 1968, human remains representing at minimum, 10 individuals were 
removed from an ossuary burial context at the Edge Hill Site located 
along the Chickahominy River in Charles City County, VA (Ossuary 2). 
The human remains belong to one infant; one child aged 4-6 years; two 
adult females whose ages range between 18 and 45 years; one adult male 
older than 35 years; three adults of undetermined sex; and two 
individuals of undetermined age and sex. The 36 associated funerary 
objects include 17 ceramic sherds, 17 lithics (flakes, shatter, and 
projectile point), and two fragments from faunal remains. None of these 
objects appeared to be directly associated with any one individual 
buried in the ossuary. Their identification as associated funerary 
objects was determined through consultation with The Consulted Tribes 
and Group.

Ossuary 3

    In 1968, human remains representing at minimum, eight individuals 
were removed from an ossuary burial context at the Edge Hill Site 
located along the Chickahominy River in Charles City County, VA 
(Ossuary 3). The human remains belong to three children whose ages 
range between 2 and 12 years; one young adult female between 17 and 25 
years old; one adult female aged older than 45 years; one adult male of 
undetermined age; and two individuals of undetermined sex and age. The 
19 associated funerary objects include 12 ceramic sherds, five lithics 
(flakes and shatter), and two fragments from faunal remains. None of 
these objects appeared to be directly associated with any one 
individual buried in the ossuary. Their identification as associated 
funerary objects was determined through consultation with The Consulted 
Tribes and Group.

Ossuary 4

    In 1968, human remains representing at minimum, 18 individuals were 
removed from an ossuary burial context at the Edge Hill Site located 
along the Chickahominy River in Charles City County, VA (Ossuary 4). 
The human remains belong to one infant; four children whose ages range 
between 3 and 10 years; one adolescent male 12-15 years old; one young 
adult male 16-

[[Page 61359]]

20 years old; three adult males aged older than 35 years; one young 
adult female 15-19 years old; three adult females 21-35 years old; two 
adult females aged older than 35 years; one adult female; and one 
individual of undetermined sex and age. The 28 associated funerary 
objects include eight ceramic sherds, 18 lithics (flakes, shatter, 
biface, projectile point, fire cracked rock), and two fragments from 
faunal remains. None of these objects appeared to be directly 
associated with any one individual buried in the ossuary. Their 
identification as associated funerary objects was determined through 
consultation with The Consulted Tribes and Group.

Ossuary 5

    In 1968, human remains representing at minimum, 26 individuals were 
removed from an ossuary burial context at the Edge Hill Site located 
along the Chickahominy River in Charles City County, VA (Ossuary 5). 
The human remains belong to four infants; six children whose ages range 
between 2 and 12 years; seven adult females whose ages range between 17 
and 54 years; six adult males whose ages range 22 and 60 years; and 
three individuals of undetermined sex and age. The 141 associated 
funerary objects include 38 ceramic sherds, 10 lithics (flakes, 
shatter, and projectile point), five columella shell beads, and 88 
fragments from faunal remains of various species including raccoon, 
white tail deer, turtle, fish, and eastern gray squirrel. Also, near 
Ossuary 5 was the burial of one dog that contained one plain shell-
tempered ceramic sherd. Except for the five columella shell beads, none 
of these objects appeared to be directly associated with any one 
individual buried in the ossuary. Their identification as associated 
funerary objects was determined through consultation with The Consulted 
Tribes and Group.

Wilcox Neck Site (44CC0030)

    Excavations at the Wilcox Neck site began in November of 1967, 
under the direction of archeologist Leverette Gregory of the Virginia 
Foundation for Archaeological Research (predecessor to the Virginia 
Department of Historic Resources). Following Gregory's excavations, 
investigations at the site continued during the summer of 1968, under 
the Chickahominy River Survey. The excavations at Wilcox Neck were 
focused on two ossuary features. Based on both the radiocarbon dating 
of charcoal recovered from Ossuary 1 and the ceramic seriation dates of 
the pottery excavated from both ossuaries, this site dates to 
approximately A.D. 988 through 1100. Together, both ossuaries contained 
45 individuals and 92 associated funerary objects.

Ossuary 1

    In 1968, human remains representing at minimum, 29 individuals were 
removed from an ossuary burial context at the Wilcox Neck Site located 
along the Chickahominy River in Charles City County, VA (Ossuary 1). 
The human remains belong to two infants; three children whose ages 
range 3 and 11 years; one adolescent 13-18 years old; one subadult of 
undetermined sex; one young adult female 17-25 years old; six adult 
females whose ages range between 21 and 50 years; four possible adult 
females; one young adult male 17 to 25 years old; one adult male; four 
adult males whose ages range between 25 and 50 years; one individual 
aged older than 55 years and of undetermined sex; and four individuals 
of undetermined sex and age. The 56 associated funerary objects include 
27 ceramic sherds and 29 lithics (flakes, fire cracked rock, and Yadkin 
projectile point). None of these objects appeared to be directly 
associated with any one individual buried in the ossuary. Their 
identification as associated funerary objects was determined through 
consultation with The Consulted Tribes and Group.

Ossuary 2

    In 1968, human remains representing at minimum, 16 individuals were 
removed from an ossuary burial context at the Wilcox Neck Site located 
along the Chickahominy River in Charles City County, VA (Ossuary 2). 
The human remains belong to three children whose ages range between 3 
and 10 years; five adult females whose ages range between 18 and 60 
years; one adult female; five adult males whose ages range between 22 
and 60 years; one adult male; and one individual 30-60 years old and of 
undetermined sex. The 36 associated funerary objects include 16 ceramic 
sherds and 20 lithics (flakes and fire cracked rock). None of these 
objects appeared to be directly associated with any one individual 
buried in the ossuary. Their identification as associated funerary 
objects was determined through consultation with The Consulted Tribes 
and Group.

Cypress Banks Site (44CC409)

    In 1968, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed from the Cypress Banks site (44CC409), along the 
Chickahominy River in Charles City County, VA.
    Excavations revealed evidence of a series of dispersed Native 
settlements spanning the end of the Middle Woodland and the beginning 
of the Late Woodland periods and dating from approximately A.D. 900 to 
1200. Two burials were uncovered during the excavations. Burial 1 
contained the primary interment of an adult female 35-45 years old. 
Burial 2 contained the fragmentary remains of an adult male. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.

Buck Farm Site (44CC0037)

    In 1969, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from a burial at the Buck Farm site (44CC0037), a 
relatively small, palisaded settlement surrounded by two concentric 
ditch features constructed and used between A.D. 1200 and 1600, which 
is located along the Chickahominy River in Charles City County, VA. The 
human remains belong to an adult male 30-40 years old. No known 
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects were present 
in the burial itself, but 11 ceremonial burials of various animals--
four pigs, one bird, and six possible dogs--were also excavated. The 
faunal remains from only five of these ceremonial burials remain in the 
Department's collection. Burials 1, 2, 3, and 4 each contained pig 
remains, and Burial 6 contained dog remains.

Clark's Old Neck Site (44CC0043)

    In 1969, human remains representing, at minimum, four individuals 
were removed from Clark's Old Neck site, along the Chickahominy River 
in Charles City County, VA. The excavations uncovered evidence of 
Native occupations of the site from the 11th through early 13th 
centuries A.D. Four adult burials were uncovered at the site as well as 
five ceremonial dog burials. Burial 1 contained the primary interment 
of an adult female 20-30 years old. Burial 2 contained the primary 
interment of an adult male 48-60 years old. Burial 3 contained the 
secondary internment of an adult female 23-25 years old. Burial 3 
appears to be a bundle burial of a female whose bones evidence exposure 
to smoke and ochre. Burial 4 was uncovered in a disturbed context and 
contained the remains of an adult female. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects were present in the human 
burials themselves, but five ceremonial dog burials were uncovered 
together with 3,100 associated objects that include ceramic sherds, 
various types of lithics, and pipe fragments.

[[Page 61360]]

Maycock Site (44PG0040)

    At an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, five 
individuals were removed from the Maycock site (44PG0040), on the south 
bank of the James River in present-day Prince George County, VA. This 
village site was occupied by the Weanoc (Weyanoke) community for 
centuries prior to the arrival of the English in 1607. The Weyanoke 
were displaced decades later, in the 17th century, due to relentless 
English encroachment along the James River. Flowerdew Hundred, a 
colonial plantation, was established in 1618, in proximity to the 
Weyanoke village. Little information exists regarding the excavation 
and removal of the human remains from the Maycock Site. Altogether, the 
human remains of nine individuals were excavated from the site, but 
only the human remains of five remain in the Anthropology Department's 
collection. (The human remains of at least three individuals were 
transferred to the University of Virginia, which holds the Flowerdew 
Hundred Collection. Those human remains were determined not to be 
Native American, but instead relate to the history of the plantation.) 
Burial 2 contained the human remains of a child 6-10 years old. Burial 
3 contained only cranial, hand, and rib fragments of the individual. 
Burial 8 contained the human remains of a young child under the age of 
5. Burial 10 contained the human remains of a young adult male 17-25 
years old. Burial A contained the human remains of an individual 12-22 
years old and of undetermined sex. No known individuals were 
identified. The one associated funerary object is a ceramic sherd.
    Based on archeological, ethnohistorical, and documentary evidence, 
the Maycock site has been historically affiliated with the Weyanoke 
Indians. The Weyanoke were a part of the Powhatan Chiefdom that spanned 
the Tidewater region of Virginia. When they were displaced from the 
village and the surrounding area in the early 17th century, they were 
subsumed within other Powhatan-allied tribal communities. Prince George 
County is the historically and ancestrally documented territory of the 
Indian Tribes that comprised, and were allied with, the Powhatan 
Chiefdom. The present-day descendants of these earlier groups include 
the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, Chickahominy Indian Tribe--Eastern 
Division, Nansemond Indian Nation, Pamunkey Indian Tribe, Rappahannock 
Indian Tribe, Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe, and Mattaponi Indian Tribe.

Grandview Beach, Hampton, Virginia

    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from the Grandview Beach fishing pier at the 
end of Beach Road, in the City of Hampton, VA. The human remains were 
brought to the Department of Anthropology by the Hampton City Police 
Department who, at the time, reported that, according to oral 
tradition, a ``burial ground'' was located in the vicinity of the pier. 
The human remains--cranial fragments--belong to an individual of 
undetermined sex and age. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on archeological, ethnohistorical, historical, and oral 
traditional information, Grandview Beach in Hampton is the territory of 
the Nansemond Indian Nation. The Nansemond were allied and affiliated 
with the Powhatan Chiefdom.

Comstock (44CF0020)

    In 1966 and 1967, human remains representing, at minimum, three 
individuals were removed from the Comstock site (44CF0020), in Colonial 
Heights, Chesterfield County, VA, during excavations led by Leverette 
Gregory. Also known as Conjurer's Field, this site is located on the 
west bank of the Appomattox River. The excavations revealed evidence of 
indigenous occupation going back to the Middle and Late Woodland 
periods. William and Mary acquired the collection from the Comstock 
site in 1968. Burial 1 contained the nearly complete skeleton of an 
adult female 40-45 years old. Burial 2 contained the nearly complete 
skeleton of an adult female 25-30 years old. Burial 3 contained the 
partial skeleton of a young adult 15-18 years old and of undetermined 
sex. No known individual was identified. The five associated funerary 
objects are one columella bead, one lot of ceramics, one lot of 
debitage, one lot of fire cracked rock, and one lot of faunal remains.
    Based on archeological, ethnohistorical, and documentary evidence, 
the Comstock Site is located within a geographic area considered to be 
the ancestral territory of the Appomattox Indians. This community was 
comprised of Algonquian speakers and was allied to the Powhatan 
Chiefdom in power in the Tidewater region during the 16th and 17th 
centuries. The artifacts excavated from the site are consistent with 
the material culture of Algonquian speaking communities that resided in 
the Tidewater region. However, Comstock is located near the fall line, 
which is near the cities of Petersburg and Colonial Heights. The fall 
line is a naturally occurring boundary that has historically been 
treated as a border separating the territory of the Indian Tribes that 
comprised the Monacan to the west, and the allied Tribes of the 
Powhatan Chiefdom to the east.

Yorktown, York County Virginia

    In the 1970s, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from the Nelson House site, Yorktown, VA, by 
Dr. Norman Barka, a William and Mary Anthropology Department professor. 
There is little documentation on the collection history of these human 
remains. The human remains include part of an amputated (saw cut) lower 
left arm and hand. Due to the fragmented state of the burial, the age 
and sex of this individual are undetermined. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1973, human remains representing, at minimum, seven individuals 
were removed from Hangman's Point (Gallows Point) in Yorktown, VA. 
Hangman's Point is located atop a prominent bluff that comes to a point 
overlooking Water Street and the York River. Burial 1 contained the 
remains of a young adult 16-23 years old and of undetermined sex. 
Burials 2, 3, and 6 each contained the remains of an adult of 
undetermined sex. Burial 4 contained the remains of a young adult 17-25 
years and of undetermined sex. Burial 5 contained the remains of a 
young adult 14-21 years old and of undetermined sex. Burial 7 contained 
the remains of an adult male and represents the most intact skeleton 
among the seven burials. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1978, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from Hangman's Point (Gallows Point) in Yorktown, VA. 
Hangman's Point is located atop a prominent bluff that comes to a point 
overlooking Water Street and the York River. The burial contained the 
remains of an individual of undetermined sex and age. No known 
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In the 1970s, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from site 12Y in Yorktown, VA. The nearly 
complete skeleton belongs to an adult male 35-50 years old. No known 
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

[[Page 61361]]

    In 1978, human remains representing, at minimum, six individuals 
were removed from site 44YO0196, Yorktown Beach, in Yorktown, VA. The 
site is located below the Victory Monument, a well-known place marker 
in the town. Burial 1 contained the human remains of a child 7-9 years 
old and of undetermined sex. Burial 2 contained the human remains of an 
adolescent 10-16 years old and of undetermined sex. Burial 3 contained 
the human remains of an adult female 20-35 years old. Burial 4 
contained the human remains of a young adult male 17-25 years old. 
Burials 5 and 6 each contained the human remains of an adult individual 
of undetermined sex. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1975, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from site 44YO0244, Yorktown Beach, in Yorktown, VA. The 
human remains--a skull--belong to an adult 18-44 years old and of 
undetermined sex. No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Based on ethnohistorical, historical, ethnographic, archeological, 
and oral traditional information collected over the last 400 years, 
York County, VA is the historically and ancestrally documented 
territory of the Indian Tribes that comprised the Powhatan Chiefdom. 
The area is located near the geographic and political center of the 
Powhatan Chiefdom that was formed over several decades during the 
latter half of the 16th century and the first decade of the 17th 
century. The Pamunkey, Upper Mattaponi, and Mattaponi Tribes consider 
the York County area to encompass their ancestral lands.

Determinations Made by the William and Mary, Department of Anthropology

    Officials of the William and Mary, Department of Anthropology have 
determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 156 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 348 associated 
funerary objects 11 ceremonial animal burials, and 3,101 objects 
associated with the animal burials 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 
Chickahominy Indian Tribe; Chickahominy Indian Tribe--Eastern Division; 
Nansemond Indian Nation (previously listed as Nansemond Indian Tribe); 
Pamunkey Indian Tribe; Rappahannock Tribe, Inc.; and the Upper 
Mattaponi Tribe (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 Martin Gallivan, Anthropology Department, 
William and Mary, P.O. Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795, telephone 
(757) 221-3622, email [email protected], by November 10, 2022. 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. If joined to a request from one or more of The 
Tribes, the Mattaponi Indian Tribe, a non-federally recognized Indian 
group may receive transfer of control of the human remains and 
associated funerary objects.
    The William and Mary, Department of Anthropology is responsible for 
notifying The Consulted Tribes and Group that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: September 27, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-22038 Filed 10-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P