[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 86 (Thursday, May 2, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19634-19635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10957]



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[[Page 19635]]


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and an Associated Funerary Object from Arizona in the Possession of the 
Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

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 an 
associated funerary object from Arizona in the Possession of the Hood 
Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the museums 
professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Gila 
River Indian Community.
    Both of the items described below were collected in 1906 at 
Sacaton, Arizona by Frank and Clara Churchill. Frank Churchill was a 
Special Federal Inspector of Indian Schools who bequeathed his 
collection to Dartmouth College in 1946. Both items were further 
identified as having been ``found six inches beneath the surface, 
Sacaton, Arizona''.
    The human remains include about 200 ``human bone fragments from a 
burial jar'' based on Hood Museum records. Information from the 
professional staff indicate that these remains are from at least three 
individuals and that some of the fragments appear to be from fetal 
bones. Due to the very fragmentary nature of the remains no further 
information was available.
    The burial jar is an Olla (water jar) decorated with red on white 
floral designs. The jar is 5 3/4 in. high by 7 1/2 in. in diameter at 
the belly. The neck has a 4 1/4 in. diameter. In 1979 this vessel was 
mistakenly identified as stylistically similar to those produced by the 
Tarahumara of Chihuahua, Mexico. Officials of the Gila River Indian 
Community have, based on their evaluation of photographic materials, 
confirmed that this jar is consistent with the pottery of the Gila 
River Indian Community.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Hood 
Museum of Art have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the 
human remains listed above represent the physical remains of at least 
three individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Hood 
Museum of Art have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 
(3)(A), the object listed above is 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 
Hood Museum of Art 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 object and the Gila River Indian Community.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Gila River Indian 
Community. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and 
associated funerary object should contact Kellen G. Haak, Registrar and 
repatriation Coordinator, Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, 
Hanover, NH 03755; telephone: (603) 646-3109, before June 3, 1996. 
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary object to the 
Gila River Indian Community may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.
Dated: April 26, 1996
Francis P. McManamon
Departmental Consulting Archeologist
Chief, Archeology and Ethnography Program
[FR Doc. 96-10957 Filed 5-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F