[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 81 (Wednesday, April 26, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24503-24504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-10315]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains, 
Associated Funerary Objects, and Unassociated Funerary Objects From 
Yukon Island, AK in the Possession of the University of Pennsylvania 
Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA

AGENCY: National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9, 
of the completion of an inventory of human remains, associated funerary 
objects, and unassociated funerary objects from Yukon Island, AK in the 
possession of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and 
Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by University 
of Pennsylvania Museum professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Chugach Alaska Corporation, the Chugach Heritage 
Foundation, the Cook Inlet Regional Corporation, Koniag Incorporated, 
the Village of Salamatoff, the Seldovia Village Tribe, the Native 
Village of Port Graham. The Kenaitze Indian Tribe, the Native Village 
of Nanwalek (aka English Bay), and the Kodiak Tribal Council were 
invited to consult but did not participate.
    In 1931 and 1932, human remains representing four individuals were 
excavated from the Fox Farm site on Yukon Island, Kachemak Bay, in 
south-central Alaska by Frederica De Laguna under the auspices of the 
University of Pennsylvania Museum. No known individuals were 
identified. The 24 associated funerary objects include antler and bone 
tools and a stone lamp.
    In 1931 and 1932, human remains representing nine individuals were 
excavated from a midden on Yukon Island, Kachemak Bay, AK by Frederica 
De Laguna under the auspices of the University of Pennsylvania Museum. 
No

[[Page 24504]]

known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    In 1931 and 1932, human remains representing two individuals were 
excavated from Yukon Island, Kachemak Bay, AK by Frederica De Laguna 
under the auspices of the University of Pennsylvania Museum. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    The seven cultural items include beads, stone tools, and a bone 
needle. These cultural items were excavated from Yukon Island, Kachemak 
Bay, AK by Frederica De Laguna under the auspices of the University of 
Pennsylvania Museum. Although these items are recorded as burial 
objects, they cannot be associated with any of the above human remains.
    The 11 cultural items include labrets, and stone and bone tools. 
These cultural items were excavated from Yukon Island, Kachemak Bay, AK 
by Frederica De Laguna under the auspices of the University of 
Pennsylvania Museum. In 1993, the human remains recovered with these 
cultural items were repatriated from the University of Pennsylvania 
Museum to the Chugach Alaska Corporation.
    Based on archaeological evidence and material culture, these sites 
on Yukon Island have been identified as Kachemak Bay Pacific Eskimo 
occupations dated to 1800 B.C.-1100 A.D.
    In 1931 and 1932, human remains representing eight individuals were 
excavated at Cottonwood Creek on the north shore of Kachemak Bay, AK by 
Frederica De Laguna under the auspices of the University of 
Pennsylvania Museum. No known individuals were identified. The five 
associated funerary objects include shell beads, whale bone and antler 
tools.
    The one cultural item is a slate blade. This cultural item is 
associated with previously repatriated human remains from Cottonwood 
Creek, Yukon Island, AK from the University of Pennsylvania Museum to 
the Chugach Alaska Corporation in 1993.
    Based on archaeological evidence and analysis of the associated and 
unassociated funerary objects, these individuals from Cottonwood Creek 
are Native American dating to the Kachemak Bay Eskimo Tradition (1800 
B.C.-1100 A.D.).
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the 
University of Pennsylvania Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 
CFR 10.2(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical 
remains of 23 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the 
University of Pennsylvania Museum have also determined that, pursuant 
to 43 CFR 10.2(d)(2), the 41 objects listed above 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. 
Officials of the University of Pennsylvania Museum have determined 
that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2(d)(2)(ii), these seven cultural items 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 and are believed, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have 
been removed from a specific burial site of a Native American 
individual. Lastly, officials of the University of Pennsylvania Museum 
have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2(e), there is a 
relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced 
between these Native American human remains, associated funerary 
objects, unassociated funerary objects and the Chugach Alaska 
Corporation.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Chugach Alaska 
Corporation, the Chugach Heritage Foundation, the Cook Inlet Regional 
Corporation, Koniag Incorporated, the Village of Salamatoff, the 
Seldovia Village Tribe, the Native Village of Port Graham, the Kenaitze 
Indian Tribe, the Native Village of Nanwalek (aka English Bay), and the 
Kodiak Tribal Council. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that 
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains, 
associated funerary objects, and unassociated funerary objects should 
contact Dr. Jeremy Sabloff, the Williams Director, University of 
Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 33rd and Spruce 
Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6324; telephone: (215) 898-4051, fax 
(215) 898-0657, before May 26, 2000. Repatriation of the human remains, 
associated funerary objects, and unassociated funerary objects to 
Chugach Alaska Corporation may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.

    Dated: April 10, 2000.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and 
Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 00-10315 Filed 4-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M