2018-13036. Notice of Inventory Completion: Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Heard Museum has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, 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 associated funerary objects 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 and associated funerary objects should submit a written request to the Heard Museum. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects 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 and associated funerary objects should submit a written request with information in support of the request to the Heard Museum at the address in this notice by July 18, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

David Roche, Director/CEO, Heard Museum, 2301 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004, 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 Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from the Grand Canyon area, Mohave County or Coconino County, AZ.

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 Heard Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River Reservation, South Dakota; Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Hualapai Indian Tribe of the Hualapai Indian Reservation, Arizona; and Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota.

History and description of the remains

Prior to 1991, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed from the Grand Canyon area, Mohave County or Coconino County, AZ. In 1991, the human remains were found in the Heard Museum collection and assigned the catalog number NA-SW-PR-T-3. Through consultation, it was determined that the individual was a male aged 35-40 years, from the time period around A.D. 700-800. No known individuals were identified. The eight associated funerary objects include one mano (grinding stone), six potsherds and one iron ore fragment.

Ancestral Pueblo people began making pottery in the Grand Canyon area starting around A.D. 500. The Hopi Tribe claims cultural affiliation to prehistoric cultures who populated the Grand Canyon area, including the Pueblo culture. Based on the associated funerary objects, Hualapai Tribe representatives stated that the remains may have come from the Grand Canyon area.

Determinations made by the Heard Museum

Officials of the Heard Museum have determined that:

• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of one individuals of Native American ancestry.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the eight objects described in this notice 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.
• 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 associated funerary objects and the Havasupai Tribe of the Havasupai Reservation, Arizona; Hopi Tribe of Arizona; and Hualapai Indian Tribe of the Hualapai Indian Reservation, Arizona.

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 and associated funerary objects should submit a written request with information in support of the request to David Roche, Director/CEO, Heard Museum, 2301 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004, telephone [phone], email [e-mail], by July 18, 2018. After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Havasupai Tribe of the Havasupai Reservation, Arizona; Hopi Tribe of Arizona; and Hualapai Indian Tribe of the Hualapai Indian Reservation, Arizona, may proceed.

The Heard Museum is responsible for notifying the Havasupai Tribe of the Havasupai Reservation, Arizona; Hopi Tribe of Arizona; and Hualapai Indian Tribe of the Hualapai Indian Reservation, Arizona, that this notice has been published.

Dated: May 15, 2018.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.