[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 181 (Thursday, September 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49026-49027]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24824]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects From Nebraska in the Possession of the 
Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, NE

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), 25 U.S.C. 
3003 (d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains and 
associated funerary objects from Nebraska in the possession of the 
Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, NE.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Nebraska 
State Historical Society professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, the Iowa 
Tribe of Oklahoma, the Kaw Nation of Oklahoma, and the Otoe-Missouria 
Tribe of Oklahoma.
    In 1936 and 1937, human remains representing a minimum of ten 
individuals were recovered from site 25CC1, also known as the Ashland 
site, during archeological investigations by Nebraska State Historical 
Society archeologists. No known individuals were identified. The 41 
associated funerary objects include ceramic sherds, a gun spring, glass 
beads, stone fragments, animal bones, mussel shell, and a flint 
fragment.
    The Ashland site has been identified as a historical Otoe village 
based on descriptions in documents recorded by visiting French 
explorers in the early 18th century, and the presence and types of 
trade goods present in the burials. Although this site is complex and 
has at least four different occupations represented, these individuals 
are connected with the most recent occupation dating from approximately 
1700-1750 A.D.
    In 1936 and 1965, human remains representing a minimum of 30 
individuals were recovered from site 25RH1, also known as the Leary 
site, during archeological excavations by the Nebraska State Historical 
Society archeologists. No known individuals were identified. The 301 
associated funerary objects include ceramic sherds, animal bones, 
projectile points, stone tools, unworked stones, flint flakes, worked 
flakes, an abrader, daub, scrapers, unmodified rock, fire-cracked rock, 
ochre, burned earth, ``turquoise''

[[Page 49027]]

pendant; bone beads and fragments, shell beads, copper tube with wood 
insets, and shell hairpipes.
    The Leary site has been identified as having multiple occupations 
through the early historic period. The individuals recovered during the 
1936 and 1965 excavations have been identified with the Oneota 
component of this site based on location, manner of internment, and 
associated funerary objects. Based on continuities of technology and 
material culture, the Oneota culture has been identified as ancestral 
to the present-day Otoe-Missouria, Ioway, and Kaw (Kansa) tribes.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Nebraska 
State Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of 40 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the 
Nebraska State Historical Society have also determined that, pursuant 
to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the 342 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. 
Lastly, officials of the Nebraska State Historical Society have 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a 
relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced 
between these Native American human remains and associated funerary 
objects and the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, the Iowa Tribe of 
Oklahoma, the Kaw Nation of Oklahoma, and the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of 
Oklahoma.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas 
and Nebraska, the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, the Kaw Nation of Oklahoma, 
and the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma. Representatives of any other 
Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with 
these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact Rob 
Bozell, Associate Director, Nebraska State Historical Society, 1500 R 
Street, P.O. Box 82554, Lincoln, NE 68501-2554; telephone: (402) 471-
4789, before October 20, 1997. Repatriation of the human remains and 
associated funerary objects to the culturally affiliated tribes may 
begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: September 10, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-24824 Filed 9-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F