[Federal Register: May 20, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 97)]
[Notices]
[Page 35578-35579]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20my02-105]

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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 Phoebe A.
Hearst Museum of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley,
Berkeley, CA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

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 Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of
Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA.
    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.
    An assessment of the human remains, and catalogue records and
associated documents relevant to the human remains, was made by Phoebe
A. Hearst Museum professional staff in consultation with the Mechoopda
Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, California; Mooretown Rancheria of
Maidu Indians of California; and the Round Valley Indian Tribes of the
Round Valley Reservation, California.
    In 1952, human remains representing at least one individual were
removed during excavations at site CA-But-48, Butte County, CA, by Mr.
and Mrs. A.B. Elsasser and J.A. Bennyhoff of the University of
California, Berkeley, and were donated to the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum
of Anthropology by Charles Collier the same year. No known individuals
were identified. The 15 associated funerary objects are saddle olivella
beads, whole olivella beads, and clamshell disc beads.
    In 1956, human remains representing at least one individual were
recovered during excavations at site CA-Teh-210, Tehama County, CA, by
A.B. Elsasser and J.A. Bennyhoff of the University of California,
Berkeley, and were accessioned into the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of
Anthropology the same year. No known individual was identified. The 89
funerary objects are clamshell disc beads, olivella beads, pine seed
beads, and a steatite bead.
    The presence of clamshell disk beads among the associated funerary
objects from CA-But-48 and CA-Teh-210 indicate that both sites were
occupied during the Protohistoric period, post-A.D. 1500. Archeological
and linguistic evidence indicates that the Maidu peoples, represented
by the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, California; Mooretown
Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California; and the Round Valley Indian
Tribes of the Round Valley Reservation, California moved into north-
central California by circa A.D. 1400.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Phoebe
A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology have determined that, pursuant to 43
CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical
remains of

[[Page 35579]]

at least two individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the
Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology also have determined that,
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 104 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 Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology
have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a
relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced
between these Native American human remains and associated funerary
objects and the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, California;
Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California; and the Round
Valley Indian Tribes of the Round Valley Reservation, California.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Mechoopda Indian
Tribe of Chico Rancheria, California; Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu
Indians of California; and the Round Valley Indian Tribes of the Round
Valley Reservation, California. Representatives of any other Indian
tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human
remains and associated funerary objects should contact C. Richard
Hitchcock, NAGPRA Coordinator, Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology,
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley CA 94720, telephone (510)
642-6096, before July 19, 2002. Repatriation of the human remains and
associated funerary objects to the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico
Rancheria, California; Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians of
California; and the Round Valley Indian Tribes of the Round Valley
Reservation, California may begin after that date if no additional
claimants come forward.

    Dated: April 25, 2002.
Robert Stearns,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 02-12561 Filed 5-17-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S