Notice2025-22907
Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Tonto National Forest, Phoenix, AZ
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
December 16, 2025
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Tonto National Forest (Tonto National Forest) has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and 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 239 (Tuesday, December 16, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 16, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58296-58300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-22907]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6630; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041363; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Tonto National Forest, Phoenix, AZ
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 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service, Tonto National Forest (Tonto National Forest) has completed an
inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and
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 January 15, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains
and associated funerary objects in this notice to Neil Bosworth, Tonto
National Forest, 2324 E McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9cf2f9f5f0b2fef3efebf3eee8f4dce9eff8fdb2fbf3ea"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="305e55595c1e525f43475f42445870454354511e575f46">[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
Tonto National Forest, and additional information on the determinations
in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in
the inventory or related records. The National Park Service is not
responsible for the determinations in this notice.
Abstract of Information Available
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, one individual have been reasonably identified. No associated
funerary objects are present. On June 29, 1954, Frances S. and Alan P.
Olson recorded AZ O:11:19(ASM) in Gila County, Arizona. The site was
described as a surface scatter of ceramic sherds and lithic materials
associated with the Central Arizona Tradition. No ancestral remains
were reported. A surface collection sample was conducted by the Olsons
and brought to the Arizona State Museum on an unknown date. In 2010,
isolated remains consistent with human remains were located within site
survey collection boxes housed at ASM. No known individuals have been
identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, one individual have been reasonably identified. The two
associated funerary objects are a ceramic jar and a ceramic bowl. In
1929, AZ O:15:1(ASM)/AR-03-12-06-54 was encountered by the Gila Pueblo
Archaeological Foundation (Gila Pueblo) at the junction of Rye and Deer
Creeks in Gila County, Arizona. The site was described by Gila Pueblo
as a four-to-five-story pueblo featuring more than 300 rooms and
ascribed to Hohokam/Salado archaeological traditions. Between 1929 and
1930, numerous burials were excavated and retained by Gila Pueblo. On
March 16, 1931, a donation of collected cultural items from this site
was made to ASM by Gila Pueblo. On December 16, 1950, Gila Pueblo
collections not previously dispositioned by the organization were
donated to ASM by Mr. and Mrs. Harold S. Gladwin. AZ O:15:1(ASM)/AR-03-
12-06-54 was previously reported in a 1996 Notice of Inventory
Completion and 1998 Amendment under the name ``Rye Creek Ruin.'' No
known individual has been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, 21 individuals have been reasonably identified. The 51
associated funerary objects are a lithic biface, a ceramic bowl, bulk
faunal bone, bulk flaked stone, bulk ground stone, bulk shell, lithic
projectile points, botanical samples, ceramic sherds, and a ceramic
vessel. From July 9 to October 5, 1971, AZ O:15:31(ASM)/AR-03-12-06-582
was excavated by ASM as part of a Highway Salvage Program. The site was
described as a large Hohokam Colonial Period habitation site located on
a small ridge north of Hardt Creek and east of Jake's Corner in Gila
County, Arizona. On April 17, 1972, collections from AZ O:15:31(ASM)/
AR-03-12-06-582 were received by ASM. This site was previously included
in a 1996 Notice of Inventory Completion under the name ``Ushklish
Ruin.'' No known individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, one individual have been reasonably identified. No associated
funerary objects are present. In 1988 and 1989, AZ O:15:52(ASM) was
excavated in Gila County, Arizona as part of the Rye Creek Testing and
Mitigation Project by Desert Archaeology. The site was described as a
small Hohokam pit house village located southwest of Rye Creek on the
northern terrace of Deer Creek. On April 1, 1990, ancestral remains
were loaned
[[Page 58297]]
to the ASM Human Identification Laboratory for the purpose of
documentation. On June 10, 1992, all other project collections were
accessioned by ASM via repository agreement. On November 5, 1999,
ancestral remains and funerary objects, were repatriated to the Salt
River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (DP-1999-8). In 2014, additional
remains consistent with ancestral remains were located by ASM staff in
bulk faunal collections associated with this project. No known
individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, four individuals have been reasonably identified. The 15
associated funerary objects are ceramic bowls, ceramic jars, ceramic
pitchers, organic material, and ceramic sherds. On an unknown date
prior to September 1929, AZ O:15:8(ASM)/AR-03-12-04-106 was recorded
and excavated by John Hughes and George Dennis for Gila Pueblo
Archaeological Foundation (Gila Pueblo) in Gila County, Arizona. The
site, located southeast of Payson on a small hill overlooking Round
Valley to the northeast, was described as a two-to-three-story Sinagua
pueblo of at least 150 contiguous and isolated rooms. On December 16,
1950, Gila Pueblo collections not previously dispositioned by the
institution were donated to ASM by Mr. and Mrs. Harold S. Gladwin.
Collections from this site were previously published in a 1996 Notice
of Inventory Completion and a 1998 Amendment under the name ``Round
Valley Ruin.'' No known individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, one individual have been reasonably identified. The four
associated funerary objects are ceramic sherds and a drilled, ceramic
sherd. On an unknown date prior to January 8, 2001, an individual was
inadvertently encountered in a road cut of Forest Service Road 202
between Q Ranch and Bottle Springs from a location designated as AZ
P:--:Q Ranch Road. On January 8, 2001, ancestral remains and associated
cultural items were received by ASM from the Southwest Bird Laboratory.
No known individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, one individual have been reasonably identified. The two
associated funerary objects are a ceramic bowl fragment and a lithic
flake fragment. From October 11 to October 24, 1981, AZ P:9:6(ASM)/AR-
03-12-04-445 was excavated by the Cultural Resource Management Division
of ASM at the request of the Arizona Department of Transportation. The
site was located south of the Mogollon Rim and east of Christopher
Creek on a low terrace east of an unnamed tributary of Hunt Creek in
Gila County, Arizona. AZ P:9:6(ASM)/AR-03-12-04-445 was described as a
low-density lithic and sherd scatter belonging to the Sinagua
archaeological tradition. On October 22, 1981, collections from this
site were accessioned by ASM. Collections from this site were
previously published in a 1996 Notice of Inventory Completion and a
1998 Amendment. No known individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, one individual have been reasonably identified. The one
associated funerary object is a lot of ceramic sherds. On May 29, 1972,
a site designated as AZ U:12:21(ASM) was encountered in Gila County,
Arizona, during the Pinto Valley Archaeological Project. AZ
U:12:21(ASM) was described as a small Salado compound with adjoining
rooms and a circular, kiva-like structure. A disturbed funerary feature
was encountered during the project survey, and fragmentary ancestral
remains and associated items were recovered. From November 1972 to May
1988, ASM received objects and documentation from the project under an
accession agreement. In 2009, ancestral remains and associated funerary
belongings were identified in site survey boxes housed at ASM. No known
individual has been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, 34 individuals have been reasonably identified. The 32
associated funerary objects are bone awls, ceramic bowls, bulk faunal
bone, bulk flaked stone, bulk shell, a ceramic figurine fragment,
miscellaneous debitage, stone palettes, stone projectile points,
ceramic sherds, and reconstructable ceramic vessels. AZ U:6:23(ASM)/AR-
03-12-03-66, located in Maricopa County, Arizona, was excavated between
March and June 1990 by Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd., as
part of the Water Users Project. The site was defined as a Sedentary
period Hohokam settlement consisting of at least nine mounds with
associated lithic and ceramic scatters, one cemetery area, and five
discrete funerary features. On May 20, 1990, collections from the
project were received by ASM via repository agreement. In 1997 and
2015, additional remains consistent with human remains were identified
in bulk faunal collections at ASM. AZ U:6:23(ASM)/AR-03-12-03-66 was
previously reported in a 1996 Federal Register of Inventory Completion
under the name ``Water Users' Site.'' No known individuals have been
identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, five individuals have been reasonably identified. No associated
funerary objects are present. AZ U:6:40(ASM)/AR-03-12-03-51, located in
Maricopa County, Arizona, was recorded as a Hohokam site containing a
possible ball court, at least one pit house, 32 trash mounds, and sherd
and lithic scatters. On June 1, 1990, Archaeological Consulting
Services, Ltd. collected five surface samples from mounds at this site
as part of the Water Users Project. No excavations were conducted, and
no funerary features or belongings were reported. On November 8, 1991,
collections from the project were received by ASM under a repository
agreement. In November 2014, bone fragments consistent with human
remains were located in the project's bulk faunal collections housed at
ASM. No known individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, one individual has been reasonably identified. No associated
funerary objects are present. On an unknown date in the 1950s, isolated
ancestral remains were encountered on the ground surface of a sandy
wash on the dam side of Roosevelt Lake (AZ U:8:--Roosevelt Lake), in
either Gila or Maricopa County, Arizona. Based on the geographic area
of recovery, it is believed the individual is associated with Hohokam
or Salado archaeological traditions. On September 20, 2004, the
ancestral remains were received as an anonymous donation by ASM. No
additional information is available from records housed at ASM.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, one individual have been reasonably identified. The seven
associated funerary objects are ceramic bowls and ceramic jars. On an
unknown date prior to March 20, 1929, AZ U:8:480(ASM)/AR-03-12-06-0058
was encountered in Gila County, Arizona by John Hughes and George
Dennis for the Gila Pueblo Archaeology Foundation (Gila Pueblo).
Nineteen Salado funerary features were encountered, and one individual
and their funerary items removed. On December 16, 1950, Gila Pueblo
collections not previously dispositioned by the institution were
donated to ASM by Mr. and Mrs. Harold S. Gladwin. AZ U:8:480(ASM)/AR-
03-12-06-0058 was previously reported in a 1996 Federal Register Notice
of Inventory Completion under the name ``Keystone Ruin.'' No known
individuals have been identified.
[[Page 58298]]
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, one individual have been reasonably identified. The five
associated funerary objects are a ceramic bowl, shell bracelet
fragments, and a stone palette fragment. On an unknown date prior to
February 2, 1929, AZ U:8:56(ASM) was encountered in Gila County,
Arizona by George Dennis for the Gila Pueblo Foundation (Gila Pueblo).
The site was then recorded on February 2, 1929, by Harold S. Gladwin.
From December 1930 to February 1931, John Hughes, George Dennis, and
Emil Haury carried out excavations at the site for Gila Pueblo. AZ
U:8:56(ASM) featured 14 semi-subterranean houses and one room of stone
masonry ascribed to Hohokam or Salado archaeological traditions.
Additionally, the site featured two refuse mounds and two cemetery
areas. A total of 32 mortuary features were identified, and one
individual and their associated funerary belongings were removed as
part of Gila Pueblo's excavations. It is unclear from archival records
if additional ancestral remains were recovered during this work. On
December 16, 1950, Gila Pueblo collections not previously dispositioned
by the institution were donated to ASM by Mr. and Mrs. Harold S.
Gladwin. AZ U:8:56(ASM) was previously reported in a 1996 Federal
Register Notice of Inventory Completion under the name ``Grapevine
Springs.'' No known individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, one individual have been reasonably identified. No associated
funerary objects are present. From October 29 to 30, 1984, AZ
V:1:166(ASM) in Gila County, Arizona was surveyed and recorded as part
of the Sierra Ancha Project. The site, located south of Banning Wash
and east of Cherry Creek on a small prominence, was described as a
Mogollon or Salado pueblo of at least 23 contiguous rooms of cobble
masonry walls. Looting disturbances were reported in most rooms, and
ancestral remains were located on the surface of the north slope of the
site. On October 12, 1998, ancestral remains recovered during the
project were received by ASM. No known individual has been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, two individuals have been reasonably identified. No associated
funerary objects are present. In January 1982, AZ V:1:167(ASM) was
surveyed and recorded as part of the Sierra Ancha Project in Gila
County, Arizona. AZ V:1:167(ASM) was described as a Mogollon or Salado
cliff dwelling located in Dripping Springs Canyon in the Sierra Ancha
Mountains. The site featured 17 rooms in two groups, including multi-
story rooms. Numerous looting disturbances were noted at the site. On
December 10, 1998, collections from this project were received by ASM
under a repository agreement. No known individuals have been
identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, two individuals have been reasonably identified. No associated
funerary objects are present. On July 17, 1978, AZ V:1:33(ASM)/AR-03-
12-05-383 was recorded as part of the Arizona Public Service Cholla-
Saguaro Transmission Line Mitigation Project in Gila County, Arizona.
AZ V:1:33(ASM)/AR-03-12-05-383 was described as a Mogollon masonry
pueblo habitation site located on a bluff above Rock House Creek. The
site contained two-to-three room-blocks featuring 50-60 rooms
surrounding a plaza area. The plaza and several rooms were noted to be
heavily impacted by looting activities, erosion, and asbestos mining.
On April 7, 1983, collections from this project were accessioned by ASM
and later received on November 15, 1985. Ancestral remains were not
reported in the associated project report; however, ancestral remains
were recovered from disturbed areas of the site. These individuals were
previously reported in a 1996 NIC and a 1998 amendment under the site
name ``Rock House Pueblo.'' No known individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, one individual have been reasonably identified. No associated
funerary objects are present. On July 24, 1978, AZ V:1:61(ASM) was
recorded as part of the Cholla-Saguaro Transmission Line Mitigation
Project in Gila County, Arizona. The site was described as a Mogollon
habitation site of cobble and slab construction with an associated
ceramic and lithic scatter located south of Campbell Creek and
northeast of Forest Service Road 202. AZ V:1:61(ASM) was reported to be
heavily disturbed by looting and cattle grazing activities. On April 7,
1983, project collections were accessioned by ASM. In May 2015,
isolated remains consistent with human remains were located within the
project's bulk faunal collections housed at ASM. No known individuals
have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, one individual has been reasonably identified. No associated
funerary objects are present. On August 5, 1978, AZ V:1:70(ASM) was
recorded as part of the Cholla-Saguaro Transmission Line Mitigation
Project in Gila County, Arizona. The site was described as a Mogollon
habitation site featuring two structures of cobble masonry and an
associated lithic and sherd scatter situated on an erosional slope
above Campbell Bluff, west of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation and
south of Campbell Creek. On April 7, 1983, collections from the project
were received by ASM. In May 2015, isolated remains consistent with
human remains were located in the project's bulk faunal collections
housed at ASM. No known individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, two individuals have been reasonably identified. The 39
associated funerary objects are ceramic bowls, ceramic pitchers,
ceramic sherds, bulk lithic debitage, a lithic tool, bulk ground stone,
soil samples, pollen samples, and mineral samples. On July 16, 1975, AZ
V:5:14(ASM) was recorded by ASM as part of the Cholla-Saguaro
Transmission Line Mitigation Project in Gila County, Arizona. From May
16 to August 12, 1977, excavations were conducted at the site. AZ
V:5:14(ASM) was described as a part-time Salado habitation site
featuring five non-contiguous cobble structures. One funerary feature
was recovered. On April 7, 1983, collections associated with the
project were accessioned by ASM. In 2015, additional isolated remains
consistent with human remains were located within the project's bulk
faunal collections housed at ASM. The individual reported during the
1977 fieldwork was included in a 1996 NIC and a 1998 amendment under
the site number ``AZ V:05:0014(ASM)''. No known individuals have been
identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, six individuals have been reasonably identified. No associated
funerary objects are present. From April to August 1977, AZ V:5:49(ASM)
was excavated as part of the Cholla-Saguaro Transmission Line
Mitigation Project in Gila County, Arizona. The site was described as a
north-facing Mogollon rock shelter located on a saddle between two
small drainages. Sherd and lithic scatters were recorded within the
rock shelter. Collections from the project were accessioned by ASM on
April 7, 1983. On May 3, 2000, and May 13, 2015, remains consistent
with human remains were located within the project's faunal collections
housed at ASM. No known individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least,
[[Page 58299]]
one individual have been reasonably identified. No associated funerary
objects are present. From June 1, 1981, to July 1, 2004, the Cliff
Dwellings of the Sierra Ancha Project was periodically conducted by ASM
to relocate cliff dwellings originally recorded by the Gila Pueblo
Archaeological Foundation. AZ V:5:61(ASM), a north-facing Mogollon
cliff dwelling and associated ceramic scatter, was re-located on the
west bank of Coon Creek in Gila County, Arizona. Ancestral remains
associated with looting activity were recovered and received by ASM on
October 12, 1998, for repatriation. No known individuals have been
identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, two individuals have been reasonably identified. The 44
associated funerary objects are lithic debitage, ground stone, ceramic
sherds, a rock sample, and botanical samples. From April to October
1977, AZ V:9:105(ASM) was excavated as part of the Cholla-Saguaro
Transmission Line Mitigation Project. The site was described as a
Salado habitation site situated on a northeast-southwest trending ridge
west of Devore Wash in Gila County, Arizona. One disturbed funerary
feature was excavated and recovered during data recovery. On April 7,
1983, project collections were accessioned by ASM. No known individuals
have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, two individuals have been reasonably identified. The one
associated funerary object is a pottery sherd. On June 21, 1977, AZ
V:9:108(ASM) was recorded as part of the Cholla-Saguaro Transmission
Line Mitigation Project. The site was described as a Salado habitation
featuring a 10-room pueblo, artifact scatter, and probable agave pit
located in the Upper Devore Wash on a steep granite and limestone ridge
in Gila County, Arizona. AZ V:9:108(ASM) was noted to be heavily
impacted by looting, erosion, and grazing activities at the time of
recording. From October 3 to November 16, 1977, data recovery was
conducted at AZ V:9:108(ASM). On April 7, 1983, project collections
were accessioned by ASM under a repository agreement. In April 1997,
ancestral remains were located within collections housed at ASM. No
known individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, three individuals have been reasonably identified. The six
associated funerary objects are ground stone, ceramic sherds, and
faunal bone. On July 9, 1971, AZ V:9:13(ASM) was recorded by ASM as
part of an archaeological survey of Tonto National Forest lands slated
for land exchange with Cities Service Company of Miami, Arizona. The
site was described as a Hohokam campsite including a low refuse mound
and associated sherd scatter located on a flat above Miller Springs and
northwest of Miami in Gila County, Arizona. From December 20 to
December 31, 1971, the site was fully mitigated prior to mining
development. Excavation revealed large roasting pits, multiple rock
concentrations of various sizes, and three funerary features. On April
1, 1972, project collections were accessioned by ASM. No known
individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, two individuals have been reasonably identified. The four
associated funerary objects are a lithic flake, a lithic biface
fragment, faunal bone hairpin, ceramic bowl. On July 10, 1971, AZ
V:9:14(ASM) was recorded as part of the Pinto Valley Archaeological
Project. The site was described as a Salado pueblo compound of cobble
construction featuring three rooms and a large plaza located on a ridge
at the junction of Gold Gulch and an unnamed tributary in Gila County,
Arizona. From March 25 to April 8, 1972, excavation took place at AZ
V:9:14(ASM) and one funerary feature was recovered. On April 4, 1972,
project collections were accessioned by ASM. In February 1974, a second
individual was identified during the inventory of ancestral remains at
ASM. No known individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, three individuals have been reasonably identified. The 17
associated funerary objects are ceramic sherds, lithic chipped stone,
ground stone, a shaft straightener, a polishing stone, a ceramic jar,
ceramic bowls, a lithic hand stone, lithic cobbles, and lithic manos.
On July 17, 1971, AZ V:9:21(ASM) was recorded as part of the Pinto
Valley Archaeological Project in Gila County, Arizona. The site was
described as a Salado habitation site featuring noncontiguous pueblo
rooms constructed of sandstone slab and water-worn cobble masonry.
Between July and September 1973, excavations were conducted at AZ
V:9:21(ASM) and yielded a long L-shaped rock wall alignment, field
check dams, an artifact scatter, and a midden. On April 4, 1972,
collections from the project were accessioned by the Arizona State
Museum. No known individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, one individual has been reasonably identified. No associated
funerary objects are present. From October 29, 1996, to March 24, 1999,
AZ V:9:367(ASM)/AR-03-12-02-78 was excavated by ACS as part of the SR
88 Wheatfields Testing and Data Recovery Project. AZ V:9:367(ASM)/AR-
03-12-02-78 was located on a broad ridge northwest of Pinal Creek and
immediately north of Gerald Wash in Gila County, Arizona. The site was
described as a Late Formative period habitation site. Three funerary
features were reported during fieldwork and repatriated by November
2002. In November 2003, collections from this project were accessioned
by ASM under a repository agreement. In July 2015, additional remains
consistent with human remains were located within the project's bulk
faunal collections housed at ASM. No known individuals have been
identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, one individual have been reasonably identified. The one
associated funerary object is a ceramic bowl. On March 14, 1974, AZ
V:9:59(ASM)/AR-03-12-02-206 was identified and recorded by ASM. The
site was described as a Salado habitation on a terrace on the west side
of Pinal Creek in Gila County, Arizona. From May 7 to August 9, 1974,
AZ V:9:59(ASM)/AR-03-12-02-206 was excavated by ASM under the statewide
archaeological highway salvage program as part of the Miami Wash
Project. On August 9, 1974, collections from the project were
accessioned by ASM. No known individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, six individuals have been reasonably identified. The eight
associated funerary objects are faunal bone, chipped lithic stone,
shell beads, a ceramic bowl, a vegetation sample, a flotation sample, a
rock or mineral fragment. On March 14, 1974, AZ V:9:60(ASM)/AR-03-12-
02-207 was recorded by ASM. The site was described as a Salado
habitation featuring a two-to-three room cobble pueblo on the west bank
of Miami Wash in Gila County, Arizona. From May 30 to June 25, 1974, AZ
V:9:60(ASM) was excavated as part of the Miami Wash Project. Two
funerary features were reported. On August 9, 1974, collections from
the project were received and accessioned by ASM. Between 1974 and
1978, additional human remains were identified within bulk faunal
collections during an analysis of faunal remains from this project. On
November 6, 2015,
[[Page 58300]]
further remains consistent with human remains were located within bulk
faunal collections housed at ASM. The site was previously reported in a
1996 NIC and a 1998 amendment under the site name ``Multigrade Site''.
No known individuals have been identified.
Based on the information available, human remains representing, at
least, four individuals have been reasonably identified. The five
associated funerary objects are shell bracelets. In 1923, Fred Hawley
and Norman MacDonald, located AZ V:9:68(ASM) on a north-south oriented
ridge northeast of Miami and northwest of Burch, in Gila County,
Arizona. The site was described as a Salado habitation featuring a
large pueblo with approximately a hundred ground floor rooms and
evidence of at least ten rooms of probable two-story construction.
Between 1923-1930, the site was periodically excavated by Fred Hawley
and family, and Dr. and Mrs. Cron. Funerary features were reported by
Fred Hawley and Dr. Cron; however, adequate notes on excavations or
specific proveniences were not recorded. On July 4, 1927, partial
remains and associated funerary objects were excavated and recovered by
Fred Hawley. On an unknown date this individual and their associated
funerary belongings were given to Florence Hawley Ellis, daughter of
Mr. Hawley. On an unknown date, from an unknown source, ancestral
remains were received by the Arizona State Museum prior to August 1953.
In 1974, ASM carried out archaeological testing at AZ V:9:68(ASM) as
part of the Miami Wash project. No funerary features were reported
during this project. On August 9, 1974, collections from the Miami Wash
Project were accessioned by ASM. On June 1, 1987, collections excavated
by Fred Hawley were donated by Florence Hawley Ellis and accessioned by
ASM. In April 2000, additional remains consistent with human remains
were identified within faunal collections housed at ASM. No known
individuals have been identified.
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 Tonto National Forest has determined that:
<bullet> The human remains described in this notice represent the
physical remains of 113 individuals of Native American ancestry.
<bullet> The 244 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 reasonable connection between the cultural
items described in this notice and the Ak-Chin Indian Community; Gila
River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona;
Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the
Salt River Reservation, Arizona; Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona; and
the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico.
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 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 15, 2026.
If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Tonto National
Forest 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 Tonto National Forest 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: November 19, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-22907 Filed 12-15-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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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.