[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 209 (Monday, October 28, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 55650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27549]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects from Oklahoma in the Control of the
Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C.
3003 (d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains and
associated funerary objects in the control of the Oklahoma Museum of
Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Oklahoma
Musum of Natural History and Oklahoma State Archeologist's Office
professional staff in consultation with representatives of the
Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma.
In 1973, human remains representing one individual were recovered
from site Wd-47 by the Oklahoma Archeological Survey and donated to the
Oklahoma Museum of Natural History the same year by Mr. Ronald Corbyn.
No known individuals were identified. The approximately 750 associated
funerary objects include glass bead fragments, conchos, hairpipe beads,
one button, one earring, shell ornaments, metal points, red paint,
hair, and backrest fragments.
In 1972, 135 glass seed beads were recovered from site Cn-34 and
donated to the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History by the Oklahoma
Archeological Survey. Accession records indicate these beads were
discovered with human remains at site Cn-34, which had been destroyed
by pot hunters. The human remains were not recovered.
Sites Wd-47 and Cn-34 have been identified as isolated burials
dating from 1860 to the early 1900s based on funerary objects, and the
presence and types of of trade goods. The associated funerary objects
are consistent with known historic Cheyenne burials. Historic documents
and oral history evidence presented during consultation with
representatives of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma indicate
these tribes occupied this region during the nineteenth century.
Based on the above mentioned information, Oklahoma Museum of
Natural History officials have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2
(d)(1), the human remains from site Wd-47 listed above represent the
physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry.
Oklahoma Museum of Natural History officials have also determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the approximately 750 objects from
site Wd-47 listed above 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. Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
officials have further determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001
(3)(B), the 135 objects from site Cn-34 listed above 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
form a specific burial site of an Native American individual. Lastly,
Oklahoma Museum of Natural History officials have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a relationship of shared group
identity which can be reasonably traced between these Native American
human remains and associated funerary objects and the Cheyenne-Arapaho
Tribes of Oklahoma.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Cheyenne-Arapaho
Tribes of Oklahoma. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains
and associated funerary objects should contact Dr. Michael A. Mares,
Director, Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma,
1335 Asp Avenue, Norman, OK 73019, telephone (405) 325-4712, before
November 27, 1996. Repatriation of the human remains and associated
funerary objects to the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma may begin
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: October 21, 1996
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 96-27549 Filed 10-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
