2019-03588. Notice of Inventory Completion: Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex, (Formerly Baylor University's Strecker Museum; Formerly Baylor University Museum), Waco, TX

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex (formerly Baylor University's Strecker Museum; formerly Baylor University Museum) has completed an inventory of human remains, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is no cultural affiliation between the human remains and any present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. 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 Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES:

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 Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex at the address in this notice by April 1, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

Anita L. Benedict, Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex, One Bear Place #97154, Waco, TX 76798-7154, 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 under the control Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex, Waco, TX. The human remains were removed from Randall and Scurry Counties, TX, and an unknown location in Northwest TX.

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3) and 43 CFR 10.11(d). 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 Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma; Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; Jicarilla Apache Nation, New Mexico; Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma; Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico; Tonkawa Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie), Oklahoma.

An invitation to consult was extended to the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Arizona; Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; San Carlos Apache Tribe of the San Carlos Reservation, Arizona; Tonto Apache Tribe of Arizona; White Mountain Apache Tribe of the Fort Apache Reservation, Arizona; and the Yavapai-Apache Nation of the Camp Verde Indian Reservation, Arizona.

Hereafter, all Tribes listed in this section are referred to as “The Consulted and Notified Tribes.”

History and Description of the Remains

Prior to 1905, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed from Palo Duro Canyon in Randall County, TX, by George W. Carroll. The human remains were donated to the Baylor University Museum on an unknown date. The human remains (AR 4015) represent an individual of undetermined sex and age. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

On March 14, 1970, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals were removed from the south side of Lake J.B. Thomas, north of Lake Thomas Yacht Club in the southwest part of Scurry County, TX, by the Scurry County South Plains Archaeological Association. On May 29, 1972, the Scurry County South Plains Archeological Association donated the human remains to the Scurry County Museum in Snyder, TX. On October 6, 1997, the Scurry County Museum transferred the human remains to Baylor University's Strecker Museum. The human remains represent one adult male (AR 20810) and one adult female (AR 20922). No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

Prior to 1906, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed from Northwest TX, by R.B. Burleson. On an unknown date, the human remains were donated to the Baylor University Museum. The human remains (AR 4013) represent an individual of undetermined sex and age. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

Determinations Made by Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex

Officials of Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex have determined that:

• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described in this notice are Native American, based on the archeological context and museum documentation.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of four individuals of Native American ancestry.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), a relationship of shared group identity cannot be reasonably traced between the Native American human remains any present-day Indian Tribe.
• According to final judgments of the Indian Claims Commission or the Court of Federal Claims, the land from which the Native American human remains were removed is the aboriginal land of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Arizona; Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Jicarilla Apache Nation, New Mexico; Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma; Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico; San Carlos Apache Tribe of the San Carlos Reservation, Arizona; Tonto Apache Tribe of Arizona; White Mountain Apache Tribe of the Fort Apache Reservation, Arizona; and Yavapai-Apache Nation of the Camp Verde Indian Reservation, Arizona, hereafter referred to as “The Tribes.”
• Treaties, Acts of Congress, or Executive Orders, indicate that the land from which the Native American human remains were removed is the aboriginal land of the Comanche Nation, Oklahoma and the Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma.
• Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the disposition of the human remains may be to The Tribes.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

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 Anita L. Benedict, Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex, One Bear Place #97154, Waco, TX 76798-7154, telephone [phone], email [e-mail], by April 1, 2019. After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to The Tribes may proceed.

Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex is responsible for notifying The Tribes and The Consulted and Notified Tribes that this notice has been published.

Dated: February 1, 2019.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.