Notice2022-26794
Notice of Inventory Completion: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
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Published
December 9, 2022
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from Delaware and Le Flore Counties, OK.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 236 (Friday, December 9, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 236 (Friday, December 9, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75655-75657]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-26794]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0034973; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of
Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural
History has completed an inventory of human remains and associated
funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural
affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects
and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice. The
human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from
Delaware and Le Flore Counties, OK.
DATES: Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary
objects in this notice may occur on or after January 9, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Dr. Marc Levine, Associate Curator of Archaeology, Sam Noble
Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, 2401
Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK 73072-7029, telephone (405) 325-1994,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#90fdfcf5e6f9fef5d0ffe5bef5f4e5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dab7b6bfacb3b4bf9ab5aff4bfbeaf">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published as part of the
National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA.
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. The National Park Service
is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. Additional
information on the determinations in this notice,
[[Page 75656]]
including the results of consultation, can be found in the inventory or
related records held by the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural
History.
Description
In 1940, human remains representing, at minimum, seven individuals
were removed from the Bennet-Monroe site (34Lf26) in Le Flore County,
OK. The site was excavated by the Works Progress Administration (WPA)
in April and May of 1940, and the associated finds were transferred to
the Museum in 1947. The human remains include one child, four adult
males, one adult female, and one adult of indeterminate sex. No known
individuals were identified. The eight associated funerary objects are
five faunal bone fragments, two projectile points, and one grog-
tempered sherd. The human remains and associated funerary objects from
site 34Lf26 were interred during the Woodland Period (300 B.C.-A.D.
1000).
In 1938, human remains representing, at minimum, three individuals
were removed from the Ballard 1 site (34Dl27) in Delaware County, OK.
This is a rock shelter site located along a tributary of the Neosho
River. It was excavated by the WPA in 1938, and the associated finds
were donated to the Museum that same year. The fragmentary human
remains include two children, both 4-6 years old, and one adult of
indeterminate sex. No known individuals were identified. The 192
associated funerary objects are 132 animal bone fragments and 60 shell
fragments. The human remains and associated funerary objects from site
34Dl27 were interred during the Woodland Period (300 B.C.-A.D. 1000).
In 1939, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals
were removed from the Phillips site (34Lf34) in Le Flore County, OK.
The human remains were discovered in the Museum collection in 1995, and
no other information about them is available. The human remains include
one adult female 35-50 years old and one adult male at least 50 years
old. No known individuals were identified. The 16 associated funerary
objects are 15 faunal bones and one mussel shell. The human remains and
associated funerary objects from 34Lf34 were interred during the
Woodland Period (300 B.C.-A.D. 1000).
In 1947, human remains representing, at minimum, three individuals
were removed from the Ward site (34Lf10) in Le Flore County, OK. The
site was excavated by the University of Oklahoma in 1947, and the
associated finds were transferred to the Museum that same year. This
type of site, often referred to as a ``black midden site,'' represents
the remains of a village. It includes low mounds with dense
accumulations of occupational debris, dark sediment, and burials. The
human remains include two adult males and one adult of indeterminate
sex. No known individuals were identified. The 18 associated funerary
objects are one undecorated ceramic sherd, three chipped stone bifaces,
three straight stem projectile points, five contracting stem projectile
points, one expanding stem projectile point, one unidentified worked
stone, one antler fragment, and three animal bone fragments. The human
remains and associated funerary objects from site 34Lf10 were interred
during the Woodland Period (300 B.C.-A.D. 1000).
In 1940, human remains representing, at minimum, 19 individuals
were removed from the Redwine 2 site (34Lf15) in Le Flore County, OK.
This mound site, located on the north and south banks of Fourche Maline
Creek, was excavated by the WPA in 1940. In 1947, the site was recorded
by the University of Oklahoma and the human remains and archeological
materials were transferred to the Museum. The human remains include one
fetus, one infant, five children, four adolescents, and eight adults.
No known individuals were identified. The 26 associated funerary
objects are eight animal bone beads, nine animal bone fragments, three
stone projectile points, one bag of burned clay, two ceramic sherds,
and three unmodified shell fragments. The Redwine 2 site dates to the
Woodland Period (300 B.C. to A.D. 1000), more specifically, to the
Fourche Maline phase (A.D. 300-800) according to the chronology
established for eastern Oklahoma.
In 1965, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual
were removed from the Sugar Creek site (34Lf1) in Le Flore County, OK.
The site had been disturbed by agricultural activities, bulldozing, and
looting. Excavations at 34Lf1 were carried out by the University of
Oklahoma in 1965 and by the Oklahoma Archeological Survey in 1981. The
associated finds were brought to the Museum immediately following both
projects. The human remains include one adult of indeterminate sex, 20
years or older. No known individual was identified. The 103 associated
funerary objects are one quartz crystal, three projectile points, one
chipped stone core, 80 stone flakes, one small bag of highly fragmented
copper, one potsherd, nine animal bone fragments, and seven shell
fragments. The Sugar Creek site dates to the Woodland (300 B.C.-A.D.
1000) and Mississippian (A.D. 1000-1500) Periods.
In 1939, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals
were removed from the Jones site (34Lf75) in Le Flore County, OK. The
site was excavated by the WPA in 1939 and the excavated finds were
transferred to the Museum that same year. The human remains include an
adult male and an adult female. No known individuals were identified.
The 20 associated funerary objects are 18 ceramic potsherds, one
charred turtle shell fragment, and one piece of charred corn. The human
remains and associated funerary objects from site 34Lf75 were interred
during the Mississippian Period (A.D. 1000-1500).
In 1937, human remains representing, at minimum, three individuals
were removed from the Ward Mound 2 site (34Lf37) in Le Flore County,
OK. This mound, located immediately south of Craig Mound (34Lf40), is
associated with the larger Spiro Mounds complex. The mound was
excavated by the WPA in 1937 and the associated finds were turned over
to the museum that same year. The human remains include three adults
over 20 years of age and of indeterminate sex. No known individuals
were identified. The 15 associated funerary objects are two fragments
of red pigment, one fragment of white pigment, and 12 unmodified stone
pebbles. The Ward Mound 2 site dates to the Mississippian Period (A.D.
1000-1500), more specifically, to the Evans and Harlan phases (A.D.
1000-1250) according to the chronology established for eastern
Oklahoma.
In 1938, human remains representing, at minimum, five individuals
were removed from the Littlefield 1 site (34Lf60) in Le Flore County,
OK. This village site was excavated by the WPA in 1938, and the
associated finds were brought to the museum that same year. The human
remains include two males, one female, one late adolescent of
indeterminate sex, and one adult of indeterminate sex. No known
individuals were identified. The 72 associated funerary objects are one
partially complete ceramic vessel, 32 potsherds, two burned clay
fragments, one hammerstone, one bone awl, 34 turtle bones, and one deer
jawbone. The human remains and associated funerary objects from site
34Lf60 were interred during the Mississippian Period (A.D. 1000-1500),
more specifically, during the Spiro (A.D. 1350-1450) and Fort Coffee
(A.D. 1450-1600) phases according to the chronology established for
eastern Oklahoma.
In 1939, human remains representing, at minimum, 20 individuals
were removed from the Braden School House site (34Lf77) in Le Flore
County, OK.
[[Page 75657]]
This site was excavated in 1939 by the WPA and the finds were turned
over to the museum that same year. The human remains include two
children and 18 adults of indeterminate sex. No known individuals were
identified. The 48 associated funerary objects are 10 ceramic vessels,
one ceramic pipe, and 37 potsherds. The human remains and associated
funerary objects from site 34Lf77 were interred during the Spiro (A.D.
1350-1450) and Fort Coffee (A.D. 1450-1600) phases.
In 1938, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals
were removed from the Bowman 1 site (34Lf42) in Le Flore County, OK.
This village site was located on the south bank of the Arkansas River,
about one and a half miles west of the Spiro Mounds group. Prior to
excavation by the WPA in 1938, the site had been subject to extensive
looting. The finds from the 1938 excavation were turned over to the
Museum that same year. The human remains include two adults of
indeterminate sex. No known individuals were identified. The 932
associated funerary objects are one decorated bowl with one bird effigy
on each handle, one decorated bowl with four pinched nodes and a
decorated neck, one decorated bowl with a scalloped rim, one decorated
bottle incised with circles, one decorated jar with incised triangles
on the neck, one decorated bottle, 22 undecorated bowls, three
undecorated bottles, one dipper without the handle, three undecorated
vessels, one pipe, 877 potsherds, one daub fragment, seven projectile
points, one stone knife, one chipped stone axe, three stone bifaces,
two groundstone mano fragments, one animal bone bead, one turtle bone
shell fragment, and two animal bones. The human remains and associated
funerary objects from site 34Lf42 were interred during the Spiro (A.D.
1350-1450) and Fort Coffee (A.D. 1450-1600) phases.
In 1938, human remains representing, at minimum, 11 individuals
were removed from the Choates 2 site (34Lf62) in Le Flore County, OK.
This site was excavated by the WPA in 1938 and the associated finds
were brought to the museum later that year. The human remains include
two neonates, three infants, five children, and one adult. No known
individuals were identified. The 251 associated funerary objects are 16
Woodward Plain potsherds, 11 Poteau Plain potsherds, one decorated rim
potsherd, 122 undecorated potsherds, two daub fragments, one ceramic
pipe fragment, one hammerstone, one complete projectile point, three
projectile point fragments, 28 turtle bone fragments, one antler
fragment, three burned animal bone fragments, 45 animal bone fragments,
one lead ore fragment, seven modified mussel shell fragments, and eight
unmodified mussel shell fragments. The Choates 2 site dates to the
Mississippian Period (A.D. 1000-1400), more specifically, to the Norman
phase (A.D. 1250-1350) according to the chronology developed for
eastern Oklahoma.
Cultural Affiliation
The human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice
are connected to one or more identifiable earlier groups, tribes,
peoples, or cultures. There is a relationship of shared group identity
between the identifiable earlier groups, tribes, peoples, or cultures
and one or more Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. The
following types of information were used to reasonably trace the
relationship: archeological, geographical, and historical, as well as
information provided through tribal consultation.
Determinations
Pursuant to NAGPRA and its implementing regulations, and after
consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian
organizations, the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History has
determined that:
<bullet> The human remains described in this notice represent the
physical remains of 78 individuals of Native American ancestry.
<bullet> The 1,701 objects described in this notice 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.
<bullet> There is a relationship of shared group identity that can
be reasonably traced between the human remains and associated funerary
objects described in this notice and the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and
the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco, & Tawakonie),
Oklahoma.
Requests for Repatriation
Written requests for repatriation of the human remains and
associated funerary objects in this notice must be sent to the
Responsible Official identified in ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation
may be submitted by:
1. Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian
organizations identified in this notice.
2. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian
organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a
preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal
descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian
organization.
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects
in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after January 9, 2023. If
competing requests for repatriation are received, the Sam Noble
Oklahoma Museum of Natural History must determine the most appropriate
requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the
human remains and associated funerary objects are considered a single
request and not competing requests. The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of
Natural History is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the
Indian Tribes identified in this notice.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,
25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9, 10.10,
and 10.14.
Dated: November 30, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-26794 Filed 12-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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