[Federal Register: February 23, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 35)]
[Notices]
[Page 8853-8854]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23fe99-107]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
from Cass, Gage and Saunders Counties in the Possession of the Nebraska
State Historical Society, Lincoln, NE
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), 43 CFR 10.9,
of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated
funerary objects from Nebraska in the possession of the Nebraska State
Historical Society, Lincoln, NE.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Nebraska
State Historical Society professional staff in consultation with
representatives of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma; the
Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska; the Kaw Nation, Oklahoma; and the
Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma.
In 1937, human remains representing one individual were excavated
at site 25GA2, Gage County, NE by Nebraska State Historical Society
archaeologist A.T. Hill. No known individual was identified. The
approximately 400 associated funerary objects include clay pipe
fragments, thimbles, dangles, earrings, cartridge cases, bullets, iron
hardware, nails, pencil leads, glass beads, ceramic buttons, crockery,
a seed, and a ground stone tool.
Site 25GA2 is located in the immediate vicinity of a major Otoe-
Missouri village occupied from 1854 to 1881. The recovered funerary
objects are consistent with this time frame. The remains are most
likely to be that of an Otoe-Missouri person. Based on material
culture, ethnohistoric and cartographic evidence site 25GA2 is
associated with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma.
In 1958, fragmentary human remains representing a minimum of
fifteen individuals were excavated at site 25CC60, Cass County, NE by
Nebraska State Historical Society archeologists. No known individuals
were identified. The 64 associated funerary objects include glass
beads, wampum beads, ceramic sherds, wood fragments, and copper and
other metal items.
Site 25CC60 is located very near to a series of Otoe-Missouri
villages established in the 18th and 19th centuries. This time period
is consistent with the time range of the associated funerary objects.
These two tribes were
[[Page 8854]]
closely aligned and in regular contact during the 18th and 19th
centuries in the lower Platte valley of eastern Nebraska. Based on
material culture, ethnohistoric and cartographic evidence, site 25CC60
is associated with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma.
In 1969 and 1970, human remains representing a minimum of two
individuals were excavated at site 25SD31, Saunders County, NE,
discovered during construction on a very prominent bluff overlooking
the Platte River valley by Nebraska State Historical Society
archaeologists. No known individuals were identified. The approximately
2,400 associated funerary objects include approximately 2,000 glass
beads, modified and unmodified animal bone, shell, gun parts, metal
rings, metal bracelets, metal ear ornaments, a kettle, wood/metal
knives, ocher, blanket fragments, modified shell, metal pins, chipped
stone debris, a stone human effigy pipebowl, catlinite and ceramic pipe
fragments, wooden bowl fragments, furniture drawer pull and charcoal.
Site 25SD31 is located very near to an Otoe-Missouri village
established in the 18th century. Funerary objects suggest a mid 18th
century affiliation for 25SD31. Based on material culture ethnohistoric
and cartographic evidence, site 25SD31 is associated with the Otoe-
Missouria Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma.
In 1970, human remains representing a 20-27 year old female were
excavated at site 25CC131 (King Hill site) Cass County, NE by Nebraska
State Historical Society archeologists. No known individual was
identified. The 35 associated funerary objects include iron tools,
animal bone, glass and shell beads, brass rings, sheet metal, and
chipped stone flaking debris.
Site 25CC131 is located very near to a series of Otoe-Missouri
villages established in the 18th and 19th centuries. This time period
is consistent with the time range of the associated funerary objects.
These two tribes were closely aligned and in regular contact during the
18th and 19th centuries in the lower Platte valley of eastern Nebraska.
Based on material culture, ethnohistoric and cartographic evidence,
site 25CC131 is associated with the Otoe-Missouria tribe.
In 1992, human remains representing a minimum of one individual
were collected during construction at site 25SD82, Saunders county, NE,
by a Nebraska State Historical Society archeologist and the Saunders
County Sheriff. The site is not located on Federal Land. In accordance
with Nebraska State law, further disturbance of burials at the site was
avoided. The site is on a prominent bluff overlooking the Platte River
valley near, and perhaps is an extension of, site 25SD31. No known
individuals were identified. The ten associated funerary objects
include a stone pipe, modified animal bone, glass beads, ground stone
abraders, and a ceramic sherd.
Site 25SD82 is located very near to an Otoe-Missouri village
established in the 18th century. Funerary objects suggest a mid 18th
century affiliation for 25SD82. Based on material culture,
ethnohistoric and cartographic evidence, site 25SD82 is associated with
the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Nebraska
State Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains
of nineteen individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the
Nebraska State Historical Society have also determined that, pursuant
to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the approximately 3,000 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. Officials of the Nebraska State Historical Society have also
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
Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma.
This notice has been sent to officials of the the Otoe-Missouria
Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma; the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska; the
Kaw Nation, Oklahoma; and the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma. Representatives
of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally
affiliated with these human remains should contact Rob Bozell,
Associate Director, Nebraska State Historical Society, 1500 R Street,
P.O. Box 82554, Lincoln, NE 68501-2554; telephone: (402) 471-4789,
before March 25, 1999. Repatriation of the human remains and associated
funerary objects to the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma may
begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: February 11, 1999.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 99-4471 Filed 2-22-99 ; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
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