[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 20, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77883-77884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-27531]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0035042; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Alabama Department of 
Transportation, Montgomery, AL

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) 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

[[Page 77884]]

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 
ALDOT. 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 ALDOT at the address in this notice by 
January 19, 2023.

ADDRESSES: William B. Turner, Alabama Department of Transportation, 
1409 Coliseum Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36110, telephone (334) 242-6144, 
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 Alabama Department 
of Transportation, Montgomery, AL. The human remains were removed from 
Montgomery and Walker Counties, AL.
    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 Alabama 
Department of Transportation and the University of Alabama professional 
staff in consultation with representatives of The Muscogee (Creek) 
Nation.

History and Description of the Remains

    In May of 2002, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from the Lost Creek site, 1Wa186, in Walker 
County, AL, by the Office of Archaeological Research at the University 
of Alabama Museums, prior to road relocation and bridge replacement by 
the Alabama Department of Transportation. In May of 2002, the 
collection was obtained by University of Alabama, and in 2022, ALDOT 
assumed control. No known individuals were identified. The 155 lots of 
associated funerary objects present in the collection include ceramic 
sherds, sandstone fragments, lithic tools and debitage, fire cracked 
rock, shell, faunal remains, botanical remains, and charcoal samples.
    Based on analysis of the material cultural remains recovered from 
1Wa186, the primary occupation of the site occurred during the West 
Jefferson Phase of the Late Woodland.
    In 1972, human remains representing, at minimum, 12 individuals 
were removed from the Zeigler Site, 1Mt86, in Montgomery County, AL. 
Burials were removed by University of Alabama archeologists working 
under contract to ALDOT during Phase III Data Recovery excavations 
conducted prior to Interstate 65 construction near the city of 
Montgomery. In June of 1972, the collection was obtained by University 
of Alabama, and in 2022, ALDOT assumed control. No known individuals 
were identified. The 66 associated funerary objects are 65 shell beads 
and 1 modified shell fragment.
    Based on analysis of the artifacts recovered from 1Mt86, the site 
is primarily a Late Woodland village belonging to the Hope Hull Phase. 
Some evidence of an earlier, Late Woodland Autauga Phase was also 
present at the site.
    Cultural affiliation of the human remains listed in this notice 
with The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is based on their recovery within the 
historically Muskogean-speaking area.

Determinations Made by the Alabama Department of Transportation

    Officials of the Alabama Department of Transportation have 
determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 14 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 221 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 The Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

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 William B. Turner, Alabama Department of 
Transportation, 1409 Coliseum Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36110, telephone 
(334) 242-6144, email [email protected], by January 19, 2023. 
After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, 
transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects to The Muscogee (Creek) Nation may proceed.
    The Alabama Department of Transportation is responsible for 
notifying The Muscogee (Creek) Nation that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: December 13, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-27531 Filed 12-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P