2022-07605. Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (Museum) at the University of Oklahoma, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural item listed in this notice meets the definition of an unassociated funerary object. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim this cultural item should submit a written request to the Museum. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural item 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 claim this cultural item should submit a written request with information in support of the claim to the Museum at the address in this notice by May 9, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Marc Levine, Associate Curator of Archaeology, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, 2401 Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK 73072-7029, 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. 3005, of the intent to repatriate a cultural item under the control of the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, that meets the definition of an unassociated funerary object under 25 U.S.C. 3001.

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 cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Item

In 1941, one unassociated funerary object—a metal ring—was removed from a burial at the Clement 1 site (34Mc8) in McCurtain County, OK. The metal ring was recovered during excavations carried out by the Works Progress Administration in 1941 and was transferred to the Museum sometime that year.

Although the Clement 1 site (34Mc8) includes a pre-contact component, the ring was interred during a reoccupation of the site sometime after the 1700s. Based on archeological, geographical, and historical evidence, as well as oral history and information gained through tribal consultation, the ring and associated burial most likely are culturally affiliated with The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Determinations Made by the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History

Officials of the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History have determined that:

• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(B), the one cultural item described above is 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 is believed, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from a specific burial site of a Native American individual.

• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the unassociated funerary object and The Choctaw 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 claim this cultural item should submit a written request with information in support of the claim to Dr. Marc Levine, Associate Curator of Archaeology, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, 2401 Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK 73072-7029, telephone [phone], email [e-mail], by May 9, 2022. After that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the unassociated funerary object to The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma may proceed.

The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is responsible for notifying The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma that this notice has been published.

Dated: April 1, 2022.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.