[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 120 (Thursday, June 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33269-33270]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-15561]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of the Williamson Museum, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, 
Natchitoches, LA, and in the Control of the Louisiana Division of 
Archaeology, Baton Rouge, LA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), of the intent to repatriate 
cultural items in the possession of the Williamson Museum, Northwestern 
State University of Louisiana, Natchitoches, LA, and in the control of 
the Louisiana Division of Archaeology, Baton Rouge, LA, that meet the 
definition of ``unassociated funerary objects'' under Section 2 of the 
Act.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2 (c). The 
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these 
cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations within this notice.
    The one object from the Mill Creek site, Bienville Parish, LA, is a 
Maddox Engraved vessel.
    This object was removed in 1960s, during archeological excavations 
conducted by Dr. Clarence H. Webb, who donated it to the Louisiana 
Division of Archaeology. In 1971, the object was transferred to the 
Williamson Museum.
    Museum records indicate that this vessel was removed from a grave; 
no remains from the grave are held in the museum. Maddox Engraved 
pottery is dated to Caddo III-IV (A.D. 1200-1500) periods.
    The two objects from the Allen Plantation site, Natchitoches 
Parish, LA, are one Hickory Engraved bottle and one bowl.
    These objects were removed in 1935-41, during archeological 
excavations conducted by Dr. Clarence H. Webb, who donated them to the 
Louisiana Division of Archaeology. In 1979, the objects were 
transferred to the Williamson Museum.
    Museum records and consultation with the Caddo Tribe identified 
these vessels as unassociated funerary objects. The objects were 
salvaged from a grave in a road cut; no remains from the grave

[[Page 33270]]

are held in the museum. Typologically, these vessels fall into the 
Caddo I period (A.D. 900-1000), and are not associated with the nearby 
historic Allen Site.
    The 53 objects from the Mounds Plantation site (16CD12), Caddo 
Parish, LA, are 50 cane mat fragments, 1 pottery jar, 1 bois d'arc 
wand/staff, and 1 bois d'arc fragment.
    These objects were removed in the 1960s, during archeological 
excavations conducted by Dr. Clarence H. Webb, who donated them to the 
Louisiana Division of Archaeology. In 1979, the objects were 
transferred to the Williamson Museum.
    The Mounds Plantation site is one of the earliest Caddoan 
ceremonial centers (circa A.D. 900-1000). The objects were found in a 
log tomb; no remains from the tomb are held in the museum. Consultation 
with the Caddo, supplemented by museum records, established that these 
were funerary objects.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the 
Williamson Museum, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, and the 
Louisiana Division of Archaeology have determined that, pursuant to 43 
CFR 10.2 (d)(2)(ii), these 56 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 specific 
burial sites of Native American individuals. Officials of the 
Williamson Museum, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, and the 
Louisiana Division of Archaeology also have determined that, pursuant 
to 43 CAR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity 
that can be reasonably traced between these unassociated funerary 
objects and the Caddo Indian Tribe of Oklahoma.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Caddo Indian Tribe of 
Oklahoma. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these unassociated funerary 
objects should contact Dr. Pete Gregory, Director, Williamson Museum, 
Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Natchitoches, LA 71497, 
telephone (318) 357-8170, or Dr. Tom Eubanks, Louisiana Division of 
Archaeology, P.O. Box 44247, Baton Rouge, LA 70804, telephone (504) 
342-8170, before July 23, 2001. Repatriation of these unassociated 
funerary objects to the Caddo Indian Tribe of Oklahoma may begin after 
that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: May 25, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-15561 Filed 6-20-01; 8:45 am]
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