[Federal Register: December 13, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 240)]
[Notices]
[Page 77910]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13de00-80]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Louisiana
State University Museum of Natural Science, Baton Rouge, LA

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 in the possession of the Louisiana State University
Museum of Natural Science, Baton Rouge, LA.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2(c). The
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these 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 Louisiana
State University Museum of Natural Science professional staff in
consultation with representatives of the Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma;
and the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana.
    In 1937, human remains representing one individual were removed
from the Glenn McCullogh Place (``the Burial Ground'') (22LE011), Lee
County, MS, by Moreau B. Chambers. Mr. Chambers donated these human
remains to the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science the
same month. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary
objects are present.
    Recent archeological research, including a review of the site
records and the artifact assemblage, suggests that Site 22LE011 was the
site of the short-lived Chickasaw village of ``Etoukouma,'' inhabited
during the early 1700's. The burial, presumably, dates to this
occupation.
    In 1937, human remains representing one individual were removed
from the Alston Place Site (22LE014), Lee County, MS, by Moreau B.
Chambers. Mr. Chambers donated these human remains to the Louisiana
State University Museum of Natural Science the same year. No known
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
Unassociated funerary objects from the Alston Place Site in the
Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science also were removed
during these excavations.
    The Alston Place Site is a fortified habitation site. Archeological
evidence dates the latest occupation to the 18th century. The site has
been identified both as an unnamed Chickasaw village and as the Natchez
village of ``Falatchao.'' Falatchao was established after the Natchez
fled their lands following defeat by the French in 1729. The Chitimacha
Tribe of Louisiana is the sole remaining Federally recognized tribe
that share cultural attributes with the late prehistoric Delta-
Natchezan complex from which both the Natchez and the Chitimacha
derived. On the basis of linguistic and sociocultural evidence, the
Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana is considered to be the most closely
related of the Federally recognized Native American groups.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, Louisiana State
University Museum of Natural Science officials have determined that,
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent
the physical remains of two individuals of Native American ancestry.
Officials of the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science
also have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2(e), there is a
relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonabley traced
between these Native American human remains and the Chickasaw Nation,
Oklahoma; and the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Chickasaw Nation,
Oklahoma; and the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana. Representatives of any
other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated
with these human remains should contact Dr. Rebecca Saunders, Assistant
Curator of Anthropology, Louisiana State Museum of Natural Science, 119
Foster Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, telephone (225) 578-6562, before
January 12, 2001. Repatriation of these human remains to the Chickasaw
Nation, Oklahoma; and the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana may begin after
that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: November 30, 2000.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources, Stewardship, and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 00-31660 Filed 12-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F-M