Notice2025-01004
Notice of Inventory Completion: Tennessee Department of Conservation and Environment, Division of Archaeology, Nashville, TN
Primary source
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Published
January 16, 2025
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Tennessee Department of Conservation and Environment, Division of Archaeology (TDEC-TDOA) 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 10 (Thursday, January 16, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 10 (Thursday, January 16, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4796-4797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01004]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0039310; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: Tennessee Department of
Conservation and Environment, Division of Archaeology, Nashville, TN
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 Tennessee Department of Conservation and
Environment, Division of Archaeology (TDEC-TDOA) 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.
DATES: Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary
objects in this notice may occur on or after February 18, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Phillip R. Hodge, Tennessee Department of Environment and
Conservation, Division of Archaeology (TDEC-TDOA), 1216 Foster Avenue,
Cole Building #3, Nashville, TN 37243, telephone (615) 626-2025, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#94c4fcfdf8badcfbf0f3f1d4e0fabaf3fbe2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="23734b4a4f0d6b4c47444663574d0d444c55">[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
TDEC-TDOA, and additional information on the determinations in this
notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in its
inventory or related records. The National Park Service is not
responsible for the determinations in this notice.
Abstract of Information Available
Human remains representing, at least 13 individuals have been
identified. The six associated funerary objects are two deer ulnae, one
lot of faunal material, one lot of ceramic sherds, one lot of
freshwater shell fragments, and one lot of associated funerary objects
that have not been inventoried.
Sweetwater Island (40LD186), Loudon County, TN
Ancestral remains of at minimum two individuals were recovered by
TDEC-TDOA personnel from Sweetwater Island in the Tennessee River in
1974. No record exists as to the specific circumstances surrounding
their collection. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians claimed these
ancestors on June 10, 2021. Consultation took place on May 24, June 6,
and June 24, 2024. There is no known exposure to hazardous substances
or treatments.
Unknown Site, Lenoir City, Loudon County, TN
Ancestral remains of at minimum two individuals and three
associated funerary objects consisting of one lot of ceramic sherds,
one lot of freshwater shell fragments, and one lot of faunal material
were recovered during construction in Lenoir City, Tennessee in June
2023. Those were turned over to local law enforcement, transferred to
the Knox County Forensic Center, and then transferred to the TDEC-TDOA
for repatriation. These ancestors and associated funerary objects had
not been previously reported to National NAGPRA. Consultation took
place on May 24, June 6, and June 24, 2024. There is no known exposure
to hazardous substances or treatments. In consultation on May 24, 2024
TDEC-TDOA suggested that these ancestors be included in the current
claim. All Tribal Partners have agreed to this course of action.
McMahan Mound (40SV1), Sevierville, Sevier County, TN
Ancestral remains of at minimum two individuals and one lot of
associated funerary objects that have not been inventoried were
recovered by TDEC-TDOA in 1976 prior to construction of a highway
bypass. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians claimed these ancestors on
June 10, 2021. The original TDEC-TDOA NAGPRA inventory lists a single
individual from this site. During review of site documentation prior to
consultation, TDEC-TDOA staff identified a second ancestor as well as
artifacts from associated feature fill. Consultation took place on May
24, June 6, and June 24, 2024. Tribal partners requested in
consultation on May 24, 2024 that the associated funerary objects be
lotted and not formally inventoried. There is no known exposure to
hazardous substances or treatments.
Great Smoky Mountain Children's Home (40SV53), Sevierville, Sevier
County, TN
Ancestral remains of a minimum number of three commingled
individuals were exposed by mechanical excavation at the Great Smoky
Mountain Children's Home in Sevierville, Tennessee in 2014. Those
remains were transferred to the Division of Archaeology for
repatriation. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians claimed these
ancestors on June 10, 2021. Consultation took place on May 24, June 6,
and June 24, 2024. There is no known exposure to hazardous substances
or treatments.
Unknown Site, Sevierville, Sevier County TN
Ancestral remains of a minimum of four individuals and two
associated funerary objects consisting of two deer ulnae, originate
from an unknown site in Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee. Original
NAGPRA inventory sheet suggest they were collected in 1931. No
additional records exist as to the timing, donor, or circumstances of
acquisition. Consultation took place on May 24, June 6, and June 24,
2024. In consultation on May 24, 2024 TDEC-TDOA suggested that these
ancestors be included in the current claim. All Tribal Partners have
agreed to this course of action. There is no known exposure to
hazardous substances or treatments.
Cultural Affiliation
Based on the information available and the results of consultation,
cultural affiliation is reasonably identified by the geographical
location or acquisition history of the human remains and associated
funerary objects described in this notice.
Determinations
The TDEC-TDOA has determined that:
[[Page 4797]]
<bullet> The human remains described in this notice represent the
physical remains of at least 13 individuals of Native American
ancestry.
<bullet> The two associated funerary objects and four lots of
associated funerary objects described in this notice are reasonably
believed to have been placed intentionally 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 connection between the human remains and
associated funerary objects described in this notice and the Cherokee
Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation,
and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
Requests for Repatriation
Written requests for repatriation of the human remains and
associated funerary objects in this notice must be sent to the
authorized representative identified in this notice under 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 an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with
cultural affiliation.
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects
described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after February
18, 2025. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the
TDEC-TDOA 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 TDEC-TDOA is responsible for sending a copy of
this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations
identified in this notice.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,
25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.
Dated: January 6, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-01004 Filed 1-15-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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