2024-11094. Notice of Intended Repatriation: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), San Diego State University (SDSU) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of objects of cultural patrimony and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

DATES:

Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on or after June 20, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Jaime Lennox, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of SDSU, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

A total of 266 cultural items have been requested for repatriation. The 266 objects of cultural patrimony are 17 lithic fragments, two unidentified stone tools, four mano fragments, three projectile points, 208 shell beads, one glass bead, 28 ceramic sherds, two metate fragments, and one stone pendant. From June 2004 through March 2022, cultural items were removed from the Nathan Harrison homestead site in northern San Diego County, CA as part of annual archaeological excavations overseen by SDSU; upon removal, all items were held under the stewardship of the SDSU Historical Archaeology and Maya Research Laboratory. The Nathan Harrison homestead site consists of remnants of a stone cabin constructed ca.1865 and associated artifact deposits consisting predominantly of dateable materials ranging from ca.1865 to ca.1920.

Determinations

SDSU has determined that:

• The 266 objects of cultural patrimony described in this notice have ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native American group, including any constituent sub-group (such as a band, clan, lineage, ceremonial society, or other subdivision), according to the Native American traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
• There is a reasonable connection between the cultural items described in this notice and the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians, California; Pauma Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the Pauma & Yuima Reservation, California; and the Rincon Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of Rincon Reservation, California.

Requests for Repatriation

Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under ADDRESSES . Requests for repatriation may be submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.

Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after June 20, 2024. If competing requests for repatriation are received, SDSU must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural items are considered a single request and not competing requests. SDSU is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and to any other consulting parties.

Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.

Dated: May 9, 2024.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.