2023-01233. Notice of Inventory Completion: South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA) has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from Oconee and Pickens Counties, SC.

DATES:

Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice may occur on or after February 23, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

Adam King, South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA), College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina, 1321 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29208, 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 the SCIAA. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. Additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the inventory or related records held by the SCIAA.

Description

In 1984, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals were removed from site 38OC186, Oconee County, SC, by Dr. Chester B. DePratter of SCIAA, Dr. Mark Williams of the University of Georgia, Athens, GA, and Dr. Marvin T. Smith of Garrow and Associates, Atlanta, GA. The expedition was jointly funded by the LAMAR lnstitute of Watkinsville, GA, with permission of the property owner, Ms. Anne Kelley of Liberty, SC. No known individuals were identified. The 137 associated funerary objects are 121 white glass wire wound barley corn beads; four silver ball and cone earrings; and 12 cast brass with iron loop metal buttons.

In 1968, human remains representing, at minimum, three individuals were removed from site 38PN1, Fort Prince George, Pickens County, SC, by Mr. John D. Combes of SCIAA, as part of the Keowee Toxaway Reservoir salvage excavations conducted for Duke Power Company of Charlotte, NC. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

Cultural Affiliation

The human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice are connected to one or more identifiable earlier groups, tribes, peoples, or cultures. There is a relationship of shared group identity between the identifiable earlier groups, tribes, peoples, or cultures and one or more Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. The following types of information were used to reasonably trace the relationship: archeological, geographical, and historical information and expert opinion.

Determinations

Pursuant to NAGPRA and its implementing regulations, and after consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, SCIAA has determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of five individuals of Native American ancestry.

• The 137 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.

• There is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice and the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Requests for Repatriation

Written requests for repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice must be sent to the Responsible Official identified in ADDRESSES . Requests for repatriation may be submitted by:

1. Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice.

2. 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 human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after February 23, 2023. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the SCIAA must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects are considered a single request and not competing requests. The SCIAA is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice.

Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9,10.10, and 10.14.

Dated: January 11, 2023.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.