[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 50623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25578]


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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 Nevada in the Control of the 
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests, United States Forest Service, Elko, 
NV

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 Nevada in the control of the Humboldt-
Toiyabe National Forests, United States National Forest Service, Elko, 
NV.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by U.S. Forest 
Service and Nevada State Museum professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone, Ely Shoshone 
Tribe, Yomba Shoshone Tribe, Duckwater Shoshone Tribe, and the Duck 
Valley Shoshone-Paiute Tribes.
    In 1972, human remains representing four individuals were recovered 
from site 26EK831 (Itsy Cave) during legally authorized excavations by 
Nevada State Museum archeologists. No known individuals were 
identified, however, the families of these individuals are known. The 
47 associated funerary objects include leather and leather bands, a 
rusted key, a uniface and two utilized flakes, cloth and cloth 
fragments, a white button, string fragments, braided and twisted plant 
material cordage, two clay objects or coprolites, rock with scratches, 
pieces of ochre, cloth/paper fragments, Desert Side Notch projectile 
point, pot sherds, thread and thread fragment, peeled hardwood arrow 
shaft, Eastgate projectile point, animal bones, wood fragments, trimmed 
cut stick, buckle and strap, and white canvas and blue denim fragments.
    Based on manner of interment and types of associated funerary 
objects, these individuals have been determined to be Native American. 
Based on archeological evidence and material culture of the site, site 
26EK831 (Itsy Cave) has been identified as a Western Shoshone use and 
occupation site from the late precontact period to approximately the 
early 20th century. A medicine man, Killhorse Charlie (also known as 
Bronco Charlie) informed his niece, Ms. Theresa Temoke before his death 
that he had buried relatives at this location. Ms. Evelyn Temoke 
Roche', Ms. Theresa Temoke's daughter, has made a claim of lineal 
descent for these individuals on behalf of the related families.
    During 1972-1973, human remains representing one individual were 
recovered from site 26EK801 (Bronco Charlie Cave) during legally 
authorized excavations by Nevada State Museum archeologists. No known 
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on material culture including stone artifacts and ceramics 
recovered during the excavations, site 26EK801 has several occupations 
dating between 700 B.C. into the historic period. Excavation reports 
state that Western Shoshone artifacts were found throughout all levels 
of the deposits, and the early date for the site is based on a single 
projectile point type used between 700 B.C. until the early 19th 
century. Based on ceramics, lithics, and pictographs, the primary 
occupations of this site have been identified as late precontact 
Western Shoshone. Ethnographic reports the area surrounding this site 
was densely populated with single family camps and larger Western 
Shoshone winter villages. Additional ethnographic evidence indicates 
Bronco Charlie Cave is known and was identified as a sacred site by 
Killhorse (Bronco) Charlie.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the U.S. 
Forest Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), 
the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of five 
individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the U.S. Forest 
Service have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), 
the 47 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 U.S. Forest 
Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (b)(1), Ms. 
Evelyn Temoke Roche' can trace her ancestry directly and without 
interruption by means of the traditional kinship system of the Te-Moak 
Tribe of Western Shoshone to the human remains and associated funerary 
objects from the Itsy Cave site. Lastly, officials of the U.S. Forest 
Service 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 the Native American human remains from Bronco Charlie Cave and 
the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone.
    This notice has been sent to Ms. Evelyn Temoke Roche' and officials 
of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone, Ely Shoshone Tribe, Yomba 
Shoshone Tribe, Duckwater Shoshone Tribe, and the Duck Valley Shoshone-
Paiute Tribes. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and 
associated funerary objects should contact Fred Frampton, NAGPRA 
Coordinator, Northeastern Nevada Ecosystem, Humboldt-Toiyabe National 
Forests, 2035 Last Chance Road, Elko, NV 89801; telephone: (702) 738-
5171, fax: (702) 778-0299, before October 27, 1997. Repatriation of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to Ms. Evelyn Temoke 
Roche' and the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone may begin after that 
date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: September 22, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-25578 Filed 9-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F