Notice of Inventory Completion: William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published

July 28, 2023

Issuing agencies

Interior DepartmentNational Park Service

Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology, University of Kentucky (WSWM) 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: Bourbon, Boone, Bracken, Fayette, Greenup, Harrison, Jessamine, Mercer, Mason, and Union counties, KY.

Full Text

<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 144 (Friday, July 28, 2023)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 144 (Friday, July 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48914-48916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16068]

[[Page 48914]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0036256; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]

Notice of Inventory Completion: William S. Webb Museum of
Anthropology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology,
University of Kentucky (WSWM) 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: Bourbon, Boone, Bracken, Fayette, Greenup, Harrison,
Jessamine, Mercer, Mason, and Union counties, KY.

DATES: Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary
objects in this notice may occur on or after August 28, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Celise Fricker, William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology,
University of Kentucky, 1020 Export Street, Lexington, KY 40504,
telephone (859) 257-5124, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e98a8c85809a8cc78f9b808a828c9ba99c8290c78c8d9c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="98fbfdf4f1ebfdb6feeaf1fbf3fdead8edf3e1b6fdfced">[email&#160;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
WSWM. The National Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations in this notice. Additional information on the
determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation,
can be found in the inventory or related records held by the WSWM.

Description

Human remains representing, at minimum, 69 individuals were removed
from site 15BB12 (Buckner) in Bourbon, KY. The site was excavated in
1939 by the University of Kentucky Museum of Anthropology under
contract to the Works Progress Administration (WPA). A Fort Ancient
determination for these human remains is based on the presence of wall-
trench houses, and diagnostic limestone/shell-tempered ceramics and
projectile points. The 124 associated funerary objects are one semi-
circular grooved lithic, two shell gorgets, 12 bird bone beads, 80
marginella shell beads, six shell disc beads, one limestone
hammerstone, five projectile points, one incised triangular shell
pendant, one imitation tooth cannel coal pendant, four limestone
discoidals, five cylindrical shell beads, one bone needle, two bone
awls, one perforated shell disc, one bone antler point, and one ceramic
disc.
Human remains representing, at minimum, 12 individuals were removed
from site 15BB13 (Larkin) in Bourbon, KY. The site was originally
surveyed in 1936 and then excavated by Kentucky Heritage Council staff
in 1986. A Fort Ancient determination for these human remains is based
on the presence of ceramic vessel shapes (salt pans, colanders,
globular jars) and `weeping eye' shell mask gorgets characteristic of
Late Fort Ancient culture in the Central Bluegrass region. The 70
associated funerary objects are two flakes, one shell bead, five
perforated animal teeth, one abrader, six shells, one copper tube bead,
one triangular point, one cannel coal, 43 faunal remains, one charcoal,
five projectile points, one lithic drill, one cannel coal pendant, and
one botanical remain.
Human remains representing, at minimum, four individuals were
removed from site 15BB15 (Layson) in Bourbon, KY. The site was
originally surveyed and excavated in 1947 by University of Kentucky
Museum of Anthropology staff. A Fort Ancient determination for these
human remains is based on the presence of shell/limestone tempered
ceramics characteristic of Fort Ancient occupations in the Central
Bluegrass region. No associated funerary objects are present.
Human remains representing, at minimum, eight individuals were
removed from site 15BB45 (New Field) in Bourbon, KY. The site was
surveyed and surface-collected in 1977 by Hockensmith and Turnbow, in
1978 by Wayne Estes, and in 1991 by Estes, O'Malley, Harlin, Tune, and
Pollack. In 1992, the site was excavated by the University of Kentucky
Program for Cultural Resource Assessment. A Fort Ancient determination
for these human remains is based on the presence of shell/limestone
tempered ceramics characteristic of Fort Ancient occupations in eastern
Kentucky and on C14 dates. No associated funerary objects are present.
Human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals were
removed from site 15BB59 (Paris Quarry) in Bourbon, KY. These human
remains were recovered from a quarry after a bulldozer exposed them,
and they were subsequently donated to the WSWM by a private collector.
A Fort Ancient determination for these human remains is based on the
light wear to the teeth and their physical proximity to recorded Fort
Ancient sites. No associated funerary objects are present.
Human remains representing, at minimum, 55 individuals were removed
from site 15BE06 (Petersburg) in Boone, KY. The site was initially
excavated by the University of Kentucky Program for Cultural Resource
Assessment in 1990 and, subsequently, human remains belonging to one
individual were recovered during floatation analyses. The site was
excavated as a salvage project in 2004 by the Kentucky Archaeological
Survey and volunteers, when the basement for a new house was
constructed on the boundary of the earlier and later villages, though
not near previously identified cemeteries. A Fort Ancient determination
for these human remains is based on the presence of shell-tempered
ceramics and contact-period burial associations. The 542 associated
funerary objects are five bone drifts, nine bone tools, two drilled
faunal incisor pendants, one ceramic gorget, 333 shell beads, one
faunal mandible, one discoidal, three celts, 45 copper/brass beads with
cordage, one abrading stone, two large bifaces, one shell disc, one
wolf maxilla, one stone bead, two ceramic vessels, 10 triangular
points, one bi-pointed copper awl, one biface-drill, nine bifaces, 10
lithic projectile points, two antler projectile points, 24 lithic
tools, two deer skulls, one bone fish hook, one copper cross, 12 copper
tubes with cordage, four raven bones, one bird beak with copper
staining, 21 shell valves, one vasiform pipe, one effigy head pipe, two
cores, nine bone tube beads, 17 copper clips, two marginella shell
beads, one piece of horn coral, one drilled shell hoe, and one drilled
bear canine.
Human remains representing, at minimum, 35 individuals were removed
from site 15BE08 (McCabe Mound) in Boone, KY. The site was excavated in
1939 by the University of Kentucky Museum of Anthropology under
contract to the WPA. A Fort Ancient determination for these human
remains is based on the presence of diagnostic limestone/shell-tempered
ceramics and projectile points, and on C14 dates of 830 +/-90 BP. The
38 associated funerary objects are three bivalve shells, 23 ceramic
sherds, two limestone bars, one fragment of a platform pipe, two celts,
three projectile points, one claw, one bone drift, one chert drill, and
one cut antler.

[[Page 48915]]

Human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed
from site 15BE22 (Cleek Village) in Boone, KY. The site was excavated
in 1939 by the University of Kentucky Museum of Anthropology under
contract to the WPA. A Fort Ancient determination for these human
remains is based on the presence of diagnostic limestone/shell-tempered
ceramics and projectile points, and on C14 dates of 830 +/-90 BP. No
associated funerary objects are present.
Human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed
from site 15BK02 (Snag Creek/Sharp/Bradford) in Bracken, KY. The site
was excavated in 1984 by members of the William S. Webb Archaeological
Society and University of Kentucky students. A Fort Ancient
determination for these human remains is based on the presence of
diagnostic Fox Farm and Madisonville ceramics and triangular projectile
points, and on C14 dates suggesting an occupation between 1400 and 1500
CE. No associated funerary objects are present.
Human remains representing, at minimum, 20 individuals were removed
from site 15BK04 (Augusta) in Bracken, KY. These human remains were
donated to WSWM by Louie Edwards after he excavated several stone box
burials while digging a basement at his house. A Fort Ancient
determination for these human remains is based on the presence of stone
box burials, weeping-eye shell gorgets, and shell-tempered sherds from
a known Fort Ancient village site, and on C14 dates ranging from 1290
to 1640 CE. No associated funerary objects are present.
Human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals were
removed from site 15FA13 (University of Kentucky Stoll Field) in
Fayette, KY. This site was excavated in 1936 by the University of
Kentucky Museum of Anthropology, when a new track was cut at Stoll
Field, on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington. A Fort
Ancient determination for these human remains is based on the light
tooth wear and their regional location. No associated funerary objects
are present.
Human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals were
removed from site 15FA22 (Water Pump Station) in Fayette, KY. This site
was inadvertently discovered during construction of Lexington Water
Company's Kentucky River Pumping Station. In response, the police
requested an excavation by the University of Kentucky Department of
Anthropology. A Fort Ancient determination for these human remains is
based on associated shell-tempered sherds (Madisonville horizon) and
burial form. No associated funerary objects are present.
Human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed
from site 15GP00 (Unnamed) in Greenup, KY. The human remains were
donated to the University of Kentucky Museum of Anthropology by a
private collector. A Fort Ancient determination for these human remains
is based on the light tooth wear, the cranial modification, and their
regional location. No associated funerary objects are present.
Human remains representing, at minimum, 341 individuals were
removed from site 15GP22 (Hardin Village) in Greenup, KY. The site was
excavated in 1939 by the University of Kentucky Museum of Anthropology
under contract to the WPA. A Fort Ancient determination for these human
remains is based on the presence of diagnostic shell/limestone-tempered
ceramics, projectile points, wall-trench houses, and shell gorgets. The
1,998 associated funerary objects are five celts, three hematite
pebbles, six hammerstones, five lithic knives, two cannel coal objects,
one hematite object, one stone ring, five lithic drills, one sub-
rectangular bar, two grinding stones, one whet stone, two lithic hoes,
four pipes, 17 scrapers, 90 projectile points, two bone spatulas, one
antler flaker, three antler projectile points, two worked antler
points, one bone projectile point, one dog tooth, one bone flaker, one
bone fish hook, one bone pin, one bone pendant, 15 bone drifts, 30 bone
tubes, eight worked faunal bones, 18 bone awls, six bone scrapers, 46
bored faunal teeth, 110 bone beads, eight potsherds, 12 complete
ceramic pots, 11 copper tubes, 13 copper sheet fragments, two copper
pendants, seven copper coils, one copper band, 159 copper beads, two
copper bracelets, 856 shell beads, 136 shell disc beads, 79 shell
pendants, 276 marginella beads, one conch, nine shells, nine shell
gorgets, three conch gorgets, 16 drilled shells, one shell mask, four
worked shells, and one shell spoon.
Human remains representing, at minimum, five individuals were
removed from site 15HR21/15HR22 (Florence) in Harrison, KY. This site
was first surveyed in 1987 by UK archeologists and human remains were
surface-collected. The site was then excavated between 1989 and 1990 by
the Kentucky Archaeology Survey and Kentucky Heritage Council. A Fort
Ancient determination for these human remains is based on diagnostic
ceramic types, triangular projectile points, and C14 dates. No
associated funerary objects are present.
Human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals were
removed from site 15JS95 (Unnamed) in Jessamine, KY. The site was
excavated by the Office of State Archaeology and the University of
Kentucky Museum of Anthropology staff in 1987. A Fort Ancient
determination for these human remains is based on the light tooth wear,
the cranial modification, and the proximity of the burial to other Fort
Ancient sites. No associated funerary objects are present.
Human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals were
removed from site 15ME62 (Dry Branch Creek) in Mercer, KY. This site
was first surveyed in 1995 and 1996 during planning for a bridge
replacement. Excavation followed in 1998, as part of a Phase III
mitigation project undertaken by Wilbur Smith Associates. A Fort
Ancient determination for these human remains is based on diagnostic
ceramic types, triangular projectile points, and C14 dates. No
associated funerary objects are present.
Human remains representing, at minimum, 10 individuals were removed
from site 15MS01 (Fox Farm/Fox Field) in Mason, KY. This site was first
surveyed, surface collected and excavated by E.S. Maxwell and William
S. Webb between 1920 and 1930, and all materials were donated to the
University of Kentucky Museum of Anthropology. In 1969, an excavation
by Maysville Community College students took place. The excavated
materials from that excavation were initially donated to the Kentucky
Gateway Museum Center; in 2009, they were donated to the WSWM.
Additional donations to the WSWM were made by private collectors in
1960, 1991, and 2018. A Fort Ancient determination for these human
remains is based on diagnostic ceramic types, triangular projectile
points, and marine shell gorgets. The two associated funerary objects
are one engraved rattlesnake motif shell gorget, and one large copper
tube bead.
Human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed
from site 15MS47 (Unnamed) in Mason, KY. This mound site was disturbed
by construction activity in 1979. Ancestral remains were removed by the
construction crew and recovered by WSWM personnel during an
investigation of the site. A Fort Ancient determination for these human
remains is based on burial form and their proximity to other Fort
Ancient sites. No associated funerary objects are present.

[[Page 48916]]

Human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed
from site 15UN30 (Unnamed) in Union, KY. This site was excavated by the
University of Kentucky Museum of Anthropology in 1969. A Fort Ancient
determination for these human remains is based on diagnostic shell-
tempered ceramics and projectile points. No associated funerary objects
are present.
Human remains representing, at minimum, six individuals were
removed from site 15UN37 (Unnamed) in Union, KY. These human remains
were donated to WSWM by a private collector. A Fort Ancient
determination for these human remains is based on the proximity of site
to other Fort Ancient sites in Union County. No associated funerary
objects are present.
Human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed
from site 15UN39 (Unnamed) in Union, KY. This site was excavated by the
University of Kentucky Museum of Anthropology in 1969. A Fort Ancient
determination for these human remains is based on diagnostic shell-
tempered ceramics and projectile points. No associated funerary objects
are present.
Human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals were
removed from site 15UN42 (Unnamed) in Union, KY. This site was
excavated by the University of Kentucky Museum of Anthropology in 1969.
A Fort Ancient determination for these human remains is based on
diagnostic shell-tempered ceramics and projectile points. No associated
funerary objects are present.

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: anthropological, archeological, folkloric, geographical,
historical, linguistic, and oral traditional.

Determinations

Pursuant to NAGPRA and its implementing regulations, and after
consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian
organizations, the WSWM has determined that:
<bullet> The human remains described in this notice represent the
physical remains of 583 individuals of Native American ancestry.
<bullet> The 2,774 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 Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of
Indians of Oklahoma; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; and the Shawnee
Tribe.

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 August 28, 2023. If
competing requests for repatriation are received, the WSWM 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 WSWM 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.

Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2023-16068 Filed 7-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P

</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>

View on FederalRegister.gov →Plain-text source

Indexed from Federal Register on July 28, 2023.

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.