2020-03224. Notice of Inventory Completion: Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University 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 Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University. 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 Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University at the address in this notice by March 20, 2020.

ADDRESSES:

B. Sunday Eiselt, Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, 3225 Daniel Avenue, Heroy Hall #450, Dallas, TX 75205, telephone [phone], email [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 and associated funerary objects under the control of the Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX. The human remains were removed from 41TR162, known as the River Legacy Park site, Tarrant County, TX.

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 the Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; Tonkawa Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie), Oklahoma (hereafter referred to as “The Tribes”).

History and Description of the Remains

At an unknown time, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed from 41TR162, known as the River Legacy Park site, Tarrant County, TX. This site was identified from an auger test within the larger `Arlington to TRA Trinity River Pipeline' mitigation survey. While a collection consisting of faunal remains, shell, and lithic material was used to identify the site, the 1997 survey did not identify a human tooth among the collection. The human remains consist of one human tooth. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

A Late Prehistoric date for the site is based on previous stratigraphic studies of the area. Cultural affiliations are based on the groups who have expressed interest in materials from Tarrant County, TX.

Determinations Made by the Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University

Officials of the Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University have determined that:

• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of one individual 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 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 should submit a written request with information in support of the request to B. Sunday Eiselt, Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, 3225 Daniel Avenue, Heroy Hall #450, Dallas, TX 75205, telephone [phone], email [e-mail], by March 20, 2020. After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to The Tribes may proceed.

The Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University is responsible for notifying The Tribes that this notice has been published.

Dated: January 21, 2020.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.