2018-01715. Notice of Inventory Completion: Arkansas Archeological Survey, Fayetteville, AR

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Arkansas Archeological Survey has completed an inventory of human remains, 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 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 should submit a written request to the Arkansas Archeological Survey. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains 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 should submit a written request with information in support of the request to the Arkansas Archeological Survey at the address in this notice by March 1, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

Dr. George Sabo, Director, Arkansas Archeological Survey, 2475 North Hatch Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72704, [phone], [e-mail].

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 under the control of the Arkansas Archeological Survey, Fayetteville, AR. The human remains were removed from multiple locations in the State of Arkansas.

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. 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 Arkansas Archeological Survey professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. The human remains were inventoried and documented by Physical Anthropologists at the University of Arkansas.

History and Description of the Remains

In 1970, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were recovered from the Weber site (3CL2) in Clark County, AR. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects were present. Diagnostic artifacts found at the Weber site indicate that these human remains were probably buried during the Middle Caddo Period (A.D. 1300-1450).

At an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were recovered from the Saline Bayou site (3CL24) in Clark County, AR, and were donated to the Arkansas Archeological Survey in 1974. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects were present. Diagnostic artifacts found at the Saline Bayou site indicate that these human remains were probably buried during the Middle Caddo Period (A.D. 1300-1450).

At an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were recovered from the Moore Mound site (3CL56) in Clark County, AR. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects were present. Diagnostic artifacts found at the Moore Mound site indicate that these human remains were probably buried during the Middle Caddo Period (A.D. 1300-1450).

At an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were recovered from site 3CL63 in Clark County, AR, and were donated to the Arkansas Archeological Survey in 1973. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects were present. Diagnostic artifacts found at site 3CL63 indicate that these human remains were probably buried during the Middle Caddo Period (A.D. 1300-1450).

In 2016, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were recovered from Hempstead County, AR. The Arkansas State Medical Examiner determined these human remains to be of Native American descent. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects were present. Diagnostic artifacts found in Hempstead County indicate that these human remains were probably buried during the Prehistoric Period (11,650 B.C.-A.D. 1541).

In 2014, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were recovered from the Dragover site (3MN298) in Montgomery County, AR. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects were present. Diagnostic artifacts found at the Dragover site indicate that these human remains were probably buried between A.D. 1475-1525.

This notice includes a variety of terms commonly used in discussions of Arkansas archeology and the historical trajectories that gave rise to specific Native American communities identified in the historical record. Based on the archeological context for these sites and what is presently known about the peoples who pre-date the historic Caddo people and occupied the sites listed in this notice, the Arkansas Archeological Survey has determined the human remains listed in this notice are culturally affiliated with the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma.

Determinations Made by the Arkansas Archeological Survey

Officials of the Arkansas Archeological Survey have determined that:

• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of 6 individuals of Native American ancestry.
• 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 Caddo Nation of Oklahoma.

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 should submit a written request with information in support of the request to Dr. George Sabo, Director, Arkansas Archeological Survey, 2475 North Hatch Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72704, [phone], [e-mail], by March 1, 2018. After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma may proceed.

The Arkansas Archeological Survey is responsible for notifying the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma that this notice has been published.

Dated: October 11, 2017.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.

Editorial Note:

This document was received at the Office of the Federal Register on January 25, 2018.