[Federal Register: September 18, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 181)]
[Notices]
[Page 49025-49026]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18se97-76]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects from Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise
Counties, AZ in the Control of the Coronado National Forest, United
States Forest Service, Tucson, AZ
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 from Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise
Counties, AZ in the control of the Coronado National Forest, United
States Forest Service, Tucson, AZ.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by U.S. Forest
Service, Amerind Foundation, and Arizona State Museum professional
staff in consultation with representatives of the Ak-Chin Indian
Community, the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, the Gila River
Indian Community, the Mescalero Apache Tribe, the Salt River Pima-
Maricopa Indian Community, the San Carlos Apache Tribe, the Tohono
O'odham Nation, and the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
During the early 1950s, human remains representing one individual
were recovered from Ramanote Cave, Santa Cruz County during legally
authorized excavations by Dr. Charles C. DiPeso, Amerind Foundation. No
known individual was identified. The one associated funerary object, a
woven fiber mat, can not be located at present.
The Ramanote Cave site was utilized during the protohistoric period
1450-1700 A.D. based on ceramic seriation. Continuities of ethnographic
materials indicate affiliation between this protohistoric site and
historic and present day Piman and O'odham cultures. Oral traditions of
the Tohono O'odham Nation, Gila River Indian Community, Ak-Chin Indian
Community, and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community support
the cultural affiliation of these four Indian tribes with Hohokam sites
in this area of southeastern Arizona.
In 1976, human remains representing two individuals were recovered
from the Patagonia School site, Santa Cruz County during legally
authorized excavations conducted by Donald G. Wood. No known
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are
present.
The Patagonia School site has been identified as a small Hohokam
habitation occupied between 850-1300 A.D. based on architecture and
material culture. Continuities of ethnographic materials, technology,
and architecture indicate the affiliation of Hohokam sites in the area
with historic and present day Piman and O'odham cultures. Oral
traditions of the Tohono O'odham Nation, Gila River Indian Community,
Ak-Chin Indian Community, and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian
Community support the cultural affiliation of these four Indian tribes
with Hohokam sites in this area of southeastern Arizona.
[[Page 49026]]
Between 1979-1980, human remains representing 75 individuals were
recovered from ten precontact sites within the Anamax-Rosemont Project
in the Santa Rita Mountains, Coronado National Forest during legally
authorized excavations by Dr. Alan Ferg, University of Arizona. No
known individuals were identified. The 105 associated funerary objects
include ceramic bowls, jars, and sherds, shell, bone and turquoise
ornaments, bone and stone tools, metates, and a projectile point.
These sites within the Anamax-Rosemont Project have been identified
as Hohokam village occupations dating between 500-1300 A.D. based on
architecture and material culture. Continuities of ethnographic
materials, technology, and architecture indicate the affiliation of
Hohokam sites in the area with historic and present day Piman and
O'odham cultures. Oral traditions of the Tohono O'odham Nation, Gila
River Indian Community, Ak-Chin Indian Community, and the Salt River
Pima-Maricopa Indian Community support the cultural affiliation of
these four Indian tribes with Hohokam sites in this area of
southeastern Arizona.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the U.S.
Forest Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1),
the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of 81
individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the U.S. Forest
Service have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A),
the 105 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
U.S. Forest 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 Ak-Chin Indian Community, the Gila
River Indian Community, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community,
and the Tohono O'odham Nation.
In 1976, human remains representing one individual were recovered
from the Pothole Canyon site, Cochise County during legally authorized
excavations by Dr. Alan Ferg, University of Arizona. No known
individual was identified. The 27 associated funerary objects include a
gourd jar, iron knife, textile fragment, and cord.
The Pothole Canyon site has been identified as a 19th century
Chiricahua Apache encampment based on historical and ethnographical
information. Historical documents, ethnographic evidence, and oral
traditions indicate this site is affiliated with the Chiricahua Apache,
represented by the present day tribes of the Fort Sill Apache Tribe and
Mescalero Apache Tribe.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the U.S.
Forest Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1),
the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of one
individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the U.S. Forest
Service have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A),
the 27 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 U.S.
Forest 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 Fort Sill Apache Tribe and the
Mescalero Apache Tribe.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Ak-Chin Indian
Community, the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, the Gila River
Indian Community, the Mescalero Apache Tribe, the Salt River Pima-
Maricopa Indian Community, the San Carlos Apache Tribe, the Tohono
O'odham Nation, and the White Mountain Apache Tribe. 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 October 20, 1997.
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects to
the culturally affiliated tribes may begin after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.
Dated: September 12, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-24823 Filed 9-17-97 ; 8:45 am]
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