[Federal Register: December 10, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 237)]
[Notices]
[Page 68952-68953]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10de03-116]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Idaho, Alfred W.
Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology, Moscow, ID; and Washington State
University, Museum of Anthropology, Pullman, WA
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the
completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary
objects. The human remains are in the control of the University of
Idaho, Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology, Moscow, ID. The
associated funerary objects are in the possession of the Washington
State University, Museum of Anthropology, Pullman, WA. The human
remains and associated funerary objects were removed from the Asotin
cemetery site (45-AS-9) in Asotin County, WA.
This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native
American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations within this
notice.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the
professional staffs of the University of Idaho, Alfred W. Bowers
Laboratory of Anthropology in consultation with representatives of the
Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho. A detailed assessment of the associated
funerary objects was made by the professional staff of Washington State
University, Museum of Anthropology in consultation with representatives
of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation of Washington
and Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho.
In 1956, human remains representing a minimum of 25 individuals
were removed during archeological excavations at the Asotin cemetery
site (45-AS-9). The Asotin cemetery site is located on private property
in Asotin County, WA. The excavations were conducted under the
direction of Dr. Richard D. Daughtery. No known individuals were
identified. The 921 associated funerary items are 1 lot (0.1 g) of wood
fragments; 14 stone flakes; 1 chalcedony geode; 2 projectile points; 1
basalt blade; 1 pestle in 2 pieces; 1 basalt scraper; 19 flat shell
beads; 175 whole dentalia shell beads; 1 lot (58.4 g) of dentalia shell
bead fragments; 1 lot (3.3 g) of olivella shell fragments, 6 shell
pendants; 218 elk tooth beads; 1 lot (62.9 g) of red ochre, 11 coffin
nails; 105 brass beads; 1 metal bracelet covered with cotton canvas; 4
brass bracelets; 48 buttons; 2 coiled wire necklaces; 1 brass hook and
eye set; 1 brass bead necklace; 1 lot (36.4 g) of hawk bell fragments;
1 brass powder horn cap; 1 powder or snuff can; 1 wire spring-like
coil; 1 fragment of an ear or finger ring; 1 leather belt (in pieces)
with a small brass buckle; 2 small unidentified metal fragments; 285
glass beads; 1 lot (68.6 g) of very small glass beads; 1 round mirror
glass; 1 lot (40.0 g) of beadwork on leather backing; 1 crockery
marble; 1 complete necklace of glass, olivella, and metal beads; 1 lot
(34.6 g) of leather fragments; 1 lot (50.9 g) of fabric fragments; 1
lot (1.2 g) of ribbon fragments; 1 lot (0.1 g) of cotton string; 1 lot
(31.9 g) of elk tooth bead fragments; and 4 hackberry seeds.
The human remains were kept at the Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of
Anthropology until 2000 when they were moved to Nez Perce National
Historical Park, Spalding, ID. The Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of
Anthropology has maintained control of the human remains. The National
Park Service does not have sufficient legal interest to lawfully treat
the human remains as part of its collection.
Burial patterns and artifacts found at the site indicate that the
burials removed from the Asotin cemetery site were interred between
A.D. 1000 and the mid-19th century. Oral tradition and historical
evidence indicate that the cemetery was used by two Nez Perce bands
that inhabited the villages of Hasotino and Hesweiwewipu. Descendants
of the two bands are known to be members of the Confederated Tribes of
the Colville Reservation, Washington and Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho. The
Asotin cemetery site is located within the area reserved by the Nez
Perce under the Treaty of 1855, but was deleted from tribal lands in
the Treaty of 1863. The Indian Claims Commission determined that the
area in which the Asotin cemetery site is located was occupied
exclusively by the Nez Perce at least since the mid-19th century.
Officials of the University of Idaho, Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory
of Anthropology have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-
10), the human remains described above represent the physical remains
of 25 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the
Washington State University, Museum of Anthropology have determined
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 921 objects described above
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. Officials of the University of Idaho, Alfred W. Bowers
Laboratory of Anthropology and Washington State University, Museums of
Anthropology have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there
is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably
traced between the Native American human remains and associated
funerary objects and the Confederated Tribes and the Colville
Reservation, Washington and Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Leah
Evans-Janke, Alfrew W. Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology, University of
Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-1111, telephone (208) 885-3733, before January
9, 2004.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the associated funerary objects should
contact Mary Collins, Associate Director, Museum of Anthropology,
Washington State University, P.O. Box 62291, Pullman, WA 99164-4910,
telephone (509) 335-4314, before January 9, 2004.
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects
to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Washington and
Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho may proceed after that date if no additional
claimants come forward.
The Museum of Anthropology, Washington State University is
responsible for notifying the Confederated Tribes of the Colville
Reservation, Washington; Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho; Alfred W. Bowers
Laboratory of Anthropology, University of Idaho; and U.S. Department of
Interior, National Park Service, Nez Perce National Historical Park
that this notice has been published.
[[Page 68953]]
Dated: November 7, 2003.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources.
[FR Doc. 03-30566 Filed 12-9-03; 8:45 am]
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