[Federal Register: September 26, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 188)]
[Notices]
[Page 50505-50506]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Control of Gila Cliff Dwellings
National Monument, National Park Service, Silver City, NM
AGENCY: National Park Service
ACTION: Notice
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Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C.
3003 (d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains and
associated funerary objects in the control of the National Park
Service, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Silver City, NM.
A detailed assessment of the human remains and associated funerary
objects was made by National Park Service professional staff in
consultation with representatives of the Apache Tribe, Fort McDowell
Mohave-Apache Indian Community, Fort Sill Apache Business Committee,
Hopi Tribe, Jicarilla Apache Tribe, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians,
Mescalero Apache Tribe, Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of
Jemez, Pueblo of Laguna, Pueblo of Pojoaque, Pueblo of San Ildefonso,
Pueblo of Taos, Pueblo of Tesuque, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute
Mountain Tribe, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Yavapai-Apache Indian
Nation, and Zuni Tribe. The Piro-Manso-Tiwa, a non-federally recognized
Native American group, was also consulted. The Pueblo of Cochiti,
Pueblo of Isleta, Pueblo of Picuris, Pueblo of San Felipe, Pueblo of
Sandia, Pueblo of Santa Ana, Pueblo of Santa Clara, Pueblo of Santo
Domingo, and Pueblo of Zia were invited to consultation meetings but
did not attend. The Tortugas, a non-federally recognized Native
American group, was also invited to consultation meetings but did not
attend.
In 1963 and 1968, human remains representing 45 individuals were
recovered from the Main Group site during legally authorized
excavations. No known individuals were identified. The associated
funerary objects include one blanket wrapped with fur strips and
feathers, three cordage remnants, three unworked feathers, one fur
artifact, three matting fragments, one yucca leaf paho, and three
textile fragments. The Main Group site consists of several masonry
cliff structures located off the Gila River. Based on the associated
funerary objects, this site dates to the Pueblo III period (ca. 1250-
1300 AD).
In the 1980s, human remains representing one individual were
recovered through surface collecting at the TJ Ruin site. No known
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are
present. Based on other non-funerary material culture evidence, this
site is dated to the Pueblo I period (ca. 900-1100 AD).
Both the Main Group and TJ Ruin sites are classified as Mogollon.
However, the Main Group is associated
[[Page 50506]]
with the Cibola Mogollon culture group and TJ Ruin is associated with
the Mimbres Mogollon culture. As noted by scholars, Mimbres sites are
most likely related to the pueblo cultures to the north and east of the
Gila River area. These cultures are particularly the Zuni and, to a
lesser degree, the Pueblo of Acoma. Based on archeological evidence,
the Pueblo of Laguna, like Acoma, are regarded as peripheral to the
Mogollon culture area. Zuni affiliation to the Mogollon cultural area
is supported by origin and migration stories. Oral tradition of the
Hopi and the Piro-Manso-Tiwa indicate a cultural affiliation with the
Gila Cliff Dwelling Mogollon sites.
Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the National
Park Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the
human remains listed above represent the physical remains of 46
individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the National Park
Service have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A),
the 15 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 National
Park Service have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2),
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 Hopi Tribe, Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo
of Laguna, Zuni Tribe. Further, officials of the National Park Service
recognze that 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 Piro-Manso-Tiwa, a non-
federally recognized Indian group.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Apache Tribe, Fort
McDowell Mohave-Apache Indian Community, Fort Sill Apache Business
Committee, Hopi Tribe, Jicarilla Apache Tribe, Kaibab Band of Paiute
Indians, Mescalero Apache Tribe, Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo
of Cochiti, Pueblo of Isleta, Pueblo of Jemez, Pueblo of Laguna, Pueblo
of Picuris, Pueblo of Pojoaque, Pueblo of San Felipe, Pueblo of San
Ildefonso, Pueblo of Sandia, Pueblo of Santa Ana, Pueblo of Santa
Clara, Pueblo of Santo Domingo, Pueblo of Taos, Pueblo of Tesuque,
Pueblo of Zia, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Tribe, White
Mountain Apache Tribe, Yavapai-Apache Indian Nation, and Zuni Tribe. It
has also been sent to the Piro-Manso-Tiwa and the Tortugas, two non-
federally recognized Indian groups. Representatives of any other Indian
tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these
remains should contact Susan Kozacek, Superintendent, Gila Cliff
Dwellings National Monument, Route 11, Box 100, Silver City, NM 88061;
telephone: (505) 536-9461, before October 28, 1996. Repatriation of the
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Hopi Tribe, Pueblo
of Acoma, Pueblo of Laguna, and Zuni Tribe may begin after that date if
no additional claims come forward.
Dated: September 20, 1996.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist Manager, Archeology and
Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 96-24685 Filed 9-25-96; 8:45 am]
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