[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 59 (Thursday, March 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 14700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7796]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects From Colorado in the Possession of the 
Anasazi Heritage Center, Bureau of Land Management, Dolores, CO

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 Colorado in the possession of the 
Anasazi Heritage Center, Bureau of Land Management, Dolores, CO.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Bureau of 
Land Management professional staff in consultation with representatives 
of the Northern Ute Tribe of Colorado, the Southern Ute Tribe, and the 
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of Colorado.
    In 1981, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from Site 5MT5380, Montezuma County during legally authorized 
excavations. No known individual was identified. The 2,249 associated 
funerary objects include glass beads, metal objects, leather objects, 
and a fabric fragment.
    In 1981, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from Site 5MT5399, Montezuma County during legally authorized 
excavations. No known individual was identified. The 756 associated 
funerary objects include glass beads, wood and metal pieces, and bone 
pendants.
    These individuals have been identified as Native American based on 
dental characteristics. Sites 5MT5380 and 5MT5399 have been identified 
as burial sites from the mid- to late nineteenth century based on 
associated funerary objects and crevice burial. Archeological and 
ethnohistoric evidence indicates these are Ute burials based on manner 
of internment, location of the burials, and associated funerary 
objects. Consultation evidence provided by representatives of the 
Northern Ute Tribe of Colorado, the Southern Ute Tribe, and the Ute 
Mountain Ute Tribe indicates these are Ute burials based on historic 
band locations, traditional burial practices, and bead manufacture.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Bureau 
of Land Management have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of two individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Bureau 
of Land Management have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 
3001 (3)(A), the 3,005 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 Bureau of Land Management 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 Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of 
Colorado.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Northern Ute Tribe of 
Colorado, the Southern Ute Tribe, and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of 
Colorado. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and 
associated funerary objects should contact LouAnn Jacobson, Director, 
Anasazi Heritage Center, 27501 Highway 184, Dolores, CO 81323; 
telephone: (970) 882-4811, before April 28, 1997. Repatriation of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Ute Mountain Ute 
Tribe of Colorado may begin after that date if no additional claimants 
come forward.
Dated: March 19, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-7796 Filed 3-26-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F