[Federal Register: November 25, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 227)] [Notices] [Page 65218-65219] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr25no98-127] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects from Bernalillo, Cibola, and Socorro Counties, NM in the Control of the Cibola National Forest, United States Forest Service, Albuquerque, NM AGENCY: National Park Service ACTION: Notice ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9, of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects from Bernalillo, Cibola, and Socorro Counties, NM in the control of the Cibola National Forest, United States Forest Service, Albuquerque, NM. A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Maxwell Museum (University of New Mexico), the Museum of New Mexico, Northern Arizona University, and U.S. Forest Service professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Pueblo of Acoma, the Hopi Tribe, the Pueblo of Isleta, the Pueblo of Sandia, and the Pueblo of Zuni. Between 1977 and 1979, human remains representing 28 individuals were recovered from sites NA 21566, NA 23177, and NA 23178 during legally authorized excavations conducted by J. Richard Ambler of Northern Arizona University. No known individuals were identified. The 11 associated funerary objects include ceramic vessels, sherds, and chipped stone. Based on material culture, architecture, and site organization, sites NA 21566, NA 23177, and NA 23178 have been identified as small Anasazi pueblos occupied between 800-1150 A.D. Continuities of ethnographic materials, technology, and architecture indicate affiliation of Anasazi sites in [[Page 65219]] west-central New Mexico with historic and present-day Puebloan cultures. Oral traditions presented by representatives of the Pueblo of Acoma, the Hopi Tribe, and the Pueblo of Zuni support cultural affiliation with Anasazi sites in west-central New Mexico. Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the USDA Forest Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of 28 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the USDA Forest Service have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 11 objects listed 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. Lastly, officials of the USDA Forest Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between these Native American human remains and associated funerary objects and the Pueblo of Acoma, the Hopi Tribe, and the Pueblo of Zuni. Between 1948 and 1976, human remains representing 124 individuals were recovered from Tijeras Pueblo (LA 581) during legally authorized excavations and collections conducted by the University of New Mexico Archeological Field School, the Museum of New Mexico, and the Cibola National Forest. These human remains are currently curated at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology (University of New Mexico) and the Museum of New Mexico. No known individuals were identified. The approximately 360 associated funerary objects include ceramic vessels, sherds, stone tools and jewelry, bone tools, botanical samples, corn cobs, and projectile points. Based on material culture, architecture, and site organization, Tijeras Pueblo has been identified as a large masonry pueblo occupied between 1300-1600 A.D. Between 1974 and 1977, human remains representing 33 individuals were recovered from Gallinas Springs Ruin (LA 1178 and LA 1180) during legally authorized excavations and collections conducted by the Western Michigan University Archeological Field School and the University of New Mexico Archeological Field School. These human remains are currently curated at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology (University of New Mexico). No known individuals were identified. The approximately 20 associated funerary objects include ceramic vessels, sherds, stone tools, groundstone, and shell beads. Based on material culture, architecture, and site organization, Gallinas Springs Ruin has been identified as a large masonry pueblo occupied between 1300-1600 A.D. Between 1982 and 1983, human remains representing four individuals were recovered from Two Dead Juniper Village (LA 87432) during legally authorized excavations and collections by the Center for Anthropological Studies. These human remains are currently curated at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology (Univerity of New Mexico). No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects were present. Based on material culture, architecture, and site organization, Two Dead Juniper Village has been identified as an Anasazi pithouse village occupied between 1150-1250 A.D. In 1987, human remains representing one individual were recovered from the Bear Canyon site (LA 61032) during legally authorized excavations conducted by University of New Mexico personnel. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Based on material culture, architecture, and site organization, the Bear Canyon site has been identified as a small Anasazi pueblo occupied between 1200-1600 A.D. Continuities of ethnographic materials, technology, and architecture indicate affiliation of Anasazi sites in portions of central New Mexico with historic and present-day Puebloan cultures. Oral traditions presented by representatives of the Pueblo of Isleta and the Pueblo of Sandia support cultural affiliation with Anasazi sites in the portions of central New Mexico where the preceeding sites are located. Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the USDA Forest Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of 162 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the USDA Forest Service have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the minimum of 380 objects listed 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. Lastly, officials of the USDA Forest Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between these Native American human remains and associated funerary objects and the Pueblo of Isleta, the Pueblo of Sandia, and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. This notice has been sent to officials of the Pueblo of Acoma, the Hopi Tribe, the Pueblo of Zuni, the Pueblo of Isleta, the Pueblo of Sandia, and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact Dr. Frank E. Wozniak, NAGPRA Coordinator, Southwestern Region, USDA Forest Service, 517 Gold Ave., SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102; telephone: (505) 842-3238, fax (505) 842-3800, before December 28, 1998. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Hopi Tribe, the Pueblo of Acoma, the Pueblo of Isleta, the Pueblo of Sandia, the Pueblo of Zuni, and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Dated: November 18, 1998. Veletta Canouts, Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Deputy Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program. [FR Doc. 98-31483 Filed 11-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-F