Notice2026-09422
Notice of Inventory Completion: Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS
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Published
May 12, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS) 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 91 Issue 91 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25913-25915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09422]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N7148; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042766; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: Kansas State Historical Society,
Topeka, KS
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 Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS)
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 June 11, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains
and associated funerary objects in this notice to Dr. Nicole Klarmann,
Kansas State Historical Society, 6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-
1099, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c2a9b1aab1ecaca3a5b2b0a382a9b1eca5adb4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="412a3229326f2f2026313320012a326f262e37">[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
KSHS, 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, two individuals have been
identified from Atchison County, KS (UBS2002-08, UBS 2004-22). No
associated funerary objects are present. These remains were removed
from within or near the Delaware River with no other provenience
information.
Human remains representing, at least, three individuals have been
identified from Atchison County, KS (UBS 2006-03, UBS 2013-18) and
Pottawatomie
[[Page 25914]]
County, KS (UBS 2003-09). No associated funerary objects are present.
Remains from UBS 2006-03 were removed from White Clay Creek. Remains
from UBS 2013-18 were removed from Independence Creek. And remains from
UBS 2003-09 were removed from a gravel bar on the Republican River.
Provenience is limited to the rivers they were encountered by.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified from Atchison County, KS (UBS 2023-02). The five associated
funerary objects are rusted nails. Remains were removed from a dirt
pile from a recently dug grave in a local cemetery. The remains and
objects were transferred to KSHS in 2023.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified from Douglas County, KS (UBS 2001-16). The 40 associated
funerary objects include a dart point, a drill, a cast of a drill
point, stone, a grinding slab, bags of soil, and deer bone fragments. A
burial was found eroding at the edge of the lake and was excavated in
2001. Portions of the remains were reconstructed, however, the site
files do not state the substance used.
Human remains representing, at least, three individuals have been
identified from Jefferson County, KS (UBS 1991-51). The 16 associated
funerary objects include sherds, debitage, burned earth, and rock. This
village site was excavated by KSHS as part of the construction of Perry
Reservoir between 1971 to 1972.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified from Jefferson County, KS (UBS 2000-10). The 49 associated
funerary objects include sherds, stone tools, and fish bone.
Fragmentary remains and objects were removed during a KSHS survey of
Perry Lake in 1963.
Human remains representing, at least, seven individuals have been
identified from Morris County, KS (UBS 1991-55). The 101 funerary
objects include a pottery sherd, projectile points, shell beads, shell
fragments, stones, animal bones, and debitage. A rock-filled mound was
partially excavated by KSHS for the Council Grove Reservoir project in
1961 and 1962. Reconstruction of teeth and other remains have occurred,
however, the substance used is not noted in the site files.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified from Morris County, KS (UBS 2025-15B). The 80 associated
funerary objects include animal claws, an animal tooth, and shell
beads. A local individual removed remains and objects from a mound near
the Neosho River in the early to mid-1900s. Their relative then gave
these remains and objects to the Herington Historical Museum in 1986,
who then transferred everything to KSHS in 2026. Some of the remains
may have been reconstructed with plaster of Paris and some of the
objects have been repaired with an unspecified glue.
Human remains representing, at least, three individuals have been
identified from Pottawatomie County, KS (UBS 2001-14). The 13
associated funerary objects include chipped stone tools, a celt, and
flakes. The remains and objects were removed from a hilltop mound
around 1897 by J.V. Brower. He gave his collection to the Minnesota
State Historical Society who then transferred it to KSHS in 1923.
Human remains representing, at least, two individuals have been
identified from Pottawatomie County, KS (UBS 2001-21). The nine
associated funerary objects include a shell bead, projectile points, a
dart point, and an axe. Remains and objects were removed from a site
near the Big Blue River around 1897 by J.V. Brower. He gave his
collection to the Minnesota State Historical Society who then
transferred it to KSHS in 1923.
Human remains representing, at least, six individuals have been
identified from Shawnee County, KS (UBS 1990-24). No associated
funerary objects are present. An earthen/rock mound was excavated on a
ridgetop near the Kansas River by the University of Kansas in 1955. The
remains were transferred to KSHS in 1976.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified from Wyandotte County, KS (UBS 2010-05). The 25 associated
funerary objects include stone, animal teeth, and rock. A human tooth
and associated funerary objects were found in the collection from this
site by KSHS lab staff in 2010. This camp site was identified on a
terrace near Connor Creek around 1972.
Human remains representing, at least, nine individuals have been
identified from Wyandotte County, KS (UBS 1991-73). The 227 associated
funerary objects include chipped stone tools, pottery sherds, bird bone
beads, burned earth and wood, charcoal, snail shells, animal bone,
limestone, shell fossils, seeds, hematite, cores, iron nails, glass
sherds, and wire and metal pieces. A burial mound was excavated by KSHS
prior to a highway project in 1974. Some of the limestone slabs were
treated with a diluted glue solution and glue is also present on the
bird bones.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified from Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, or Leavenworth County, KS or
Richardson County, NE (UBS 2001-04). The 58 associated funerary objects
are glass beads. An amateur archeologist conveyed remains and objects
to KSHS in 1925. The noted counties are where he took remains and
objects from, which is the extent of the provenience information
available.
Human remains representing, at least, 39 individuals have been
identified in Douglas County, KS (UBS 1995-31, UBS 2007-19, UBS 2008-
03, UBS 2016-09, UBS 2020-08, UBS 2020-09, UBS 2021-07, UBS 2021-11),
Jefferson County, KS (UBS 1997-01, UBS 2012-04), Johnson County, KS
(UBS 1999-02, UBS 2013-10, UBS 2015-10, UBS 2020-01), Pottawatomie
County, KS (UBS 1996-08, UBS 1998-05, UBS 1999-17, UBS 2000-01, UBS
2000-02, UBS 2007-17), Shawnee County, KS (UBS 1993-24, UBS 1995-01,
UBS 1996-19, UBS 1998-03, UBS 1998-09, UBS 1999-28, UBS 2003-28, UBS
2008-01, UBS 2008-04, UBS 2008-09, UBS 2008-10, UBS 2016-11), and
Wyandotte County, KS (UBS 1992-18, UBS 1992-26, UBS 1995-27, UBS 1998-
10). No associated funerary objects are present. All remains were
removed from within or along the Kansas River and have no other
provenience information.
Human remains representing, at least, two individuals have been
identified in Douglas County, KS (UBS 2023-12) and Shawnee County, KS
(UBS 2023-08). No associated funerary objects are present. These human
remains were removed from within or along unnamed rivers and have no
other provenience information.
Human remains representing, at least, 14 individuals have been
identified from Doniphan County, KS (UBS 2019-04), Douglas County, KS
(UBS 2004-15, UBS 2017-11, UBS 2017-12), Johnson County, KS (UBS 2017-
07, UBS 2020-05), Pottawatomie County, KS (UBS 1991-63), Shawnee
County, KS (UBS 2005-24, UBS 2023-15), and Wyandotte County, KS (UBS
1989-11, UBS 1994-05, UBS 2001-05, UBS 2016-04, UBS 2020-04). No
associated funerary objects are present. These remains were transferred
to KSHS with county-level provenience only. UBS 2004-15 was likely
preserved with a coat of Gelva (a polyvinyl acetate polymer) or PVA
(polyvinyl acetate) and some of the teeth appear to be adhered to the
mandible using a resin glue. UBS 2017-07 has resin or shellac present,
a yellowed glue/adhesive, and remnants of a white plaster-like
substance on some of the remains. UBS 2020-04 has glue reconstructing
parts of a mandible.
[[Page 25915]]
Human remains representing, at least, five individuals have been
identified from Brown and Doniphan County, KS (UBS 1991-76A). No
associated funerary objects are present. These remains were brought to
the Iowa Sac and Fox Mission/Highland Mission over time and their
provenience is limited. They were transferred to KSHS in 1991.
Human remains representing, at least, 19 individuals have been
identified from unknown locations across Kansas, and potentially
Nebraska and North Dakota (UBS 1996-10, UBS 2013-07, UBS 2021-02, UBS
2021-03, UBS 1995-34A, UBS 1995-34C, UBS 2001-12, UBS 2001-19, UBS
2005-11, UBS 2024-13, UBS 1989-19C, UBS 1992-02, UBS 2023-25). No
associated funerary objects are present. Provenience is unknown for
these remains. UBS 1989-19C may have shellac on the remains.
Human remains representing, at least, two individuals have been
identified from Kansas, Nebraska, or North Dakota (UBS 2007-02). The 16
associated funerary objects are animal bone fragments. Fragmented
remains and objects were removed in the late 1800s or early 1900s by
J.V. Brower, likely from a mound. Brower removed remains and objects
from these states, however, no other provenience information is
available. He gave his collection to the Minnesota State Historical
Society who then transferred it to KSHS in 1923.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified, possibly from Oklahoma (UBS 1991-83). No associated
funerary objects are present. A label attached to the remains said,
``Indian Territory.'' A military captain gave the remains to KSHS in
1882 with no other provenience information.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified, possibly from Oklahoma (UBS 1991-95). No associated
funerary objects are present. Human remains were transferred to KSHS
from the Harvey County Museum in Newton, KS in 1992. The label for the
remains said, `D.S. Estate-OKLA' but no other provenience information
was provided. Visible wire and holes present indicate that these
remains may have been used in a medical setting.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified (UBS 1992-24B). No associated funerary objects are present.
Father Felix Nolte, a priest and professor at Benedictine College in
Atchison, KS had these remains in the College museum collections with
no provenience or catalog information. They were transferred to KSHS in
1992.
Human remains representing, at least, two individuals have been
identified (UBS 1989-18E, UBS 1996-33B). The one associated funerary
object (from UBS 1989-18E) is a rusted metal piece. These remains and
object do not have any provenience information, however, they were
transferred to KSHS from the Ft. Hays State University/Sternberg Museum
collections in 1989 and 1996 respectively.
Human remains representing, at least, two individuals have been
identified (UBS 1996-25) from Woodson, Wilson, Greenwood, Allen and
Anderson counties in KS. No associated funerary objects are present. A
local individual began surface collecting in these counties from 1919
onward and transferred these remains to KSHS in 1985 and 1986.
Unless noted above, and to the best of our knowledge, no hazardous
substances were used to treat any of the human remains or associated
funerary objects.
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 KSHS has determined that:
<bullet> The human remains described in this notice represent the
physical remains of 129 individuals of Native American ancestry.
<bullet> The 640 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 Kaw
Nation, 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 June 11,
2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the KSHS
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 KSHS is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to
the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this
notice and any other consulting parties.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,
25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.
Dated: May 5, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-09422 Filed 5-11-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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