00-904. Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items from Nebraska in the Possession of the Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, NE

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2426-2427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-904]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items from Nebraska in 
the Possession of the Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, NE

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), of the intent to repatriate 
cultural items in the possession of the Nebraska State Historical 
Society which meet the definition of ``unassociated funerary object'' 
under Section 2 of the Act.
    The 71 cultural items consist of tanned hide fragments, metal 
fragments, sole of shoe, glass bottle, mussel shell, fragmented metal 
can or kettle, two paint pans with animal bone ``brushes,'' leather 
fragments, and decorated leather.
    In 1960 and 1970, these cultural items were removed from burials at 
the Genoa site (25NC20) during archaeological excavation by the 
Nebraska State Historical Society. Based on oral tradition, 
archeological evidence, and ethnohistorical documents, the Genoa site 
has been identified as a Pawnee village dating to post-1800.
    The two cultural items consist of a rusted mass of gun parts and a 
clay pipestem.
    In 1940, these cultural items were removed from burials at the 
Clarks site (25PK1) during archaeological excavation by the Nebraska 
State Historical Society. Based on oral tradition, archeological 
evidence, and ethnohistorical documents, the Clarks site has been 
identified as a Pawnee village dating to post-1800.
    Since 1995, all cultural items listed above have been located 
within the collections of the Nebraska State Historical Society.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Nebraska 
State Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(2)(ii), these 73 cultural items 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 and are believed, by a 
preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from a specific 
burial site of an Native American individual. Officials of the Nebraska 
State Historical Society have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be

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reasonably traced between these cultural items and the Pawnee Indian 
Tribe of Oklahoma.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Pawnee Indian Tribe 
of Oklahoma. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains should 
contact Rob Bozell, Associate Director, Nebraska State Historical 
Society, 1500 R Street, P.O. Box 82554, Lincoln, NE 68501-2554; 
telephone: [phone], before February 14, 2000. Repatriation of 
these objects to the Pawnee Indian Tribe of Oklahoma may begin after 
that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: December 15, 1999.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 00-904 Filed 1-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F