[Federal Register: February 27, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 39)]
[Notices]
[Page 8994-8996]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27fe02-112]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Notice of Intent to Repatriate Unassociated Funerary Objects in
the Possession of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of
Reclamation, Central Arizona Project Repository, Tucson, AZ, and in the
Control of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation,
Phoenix Area Office, Phoenix, AZ

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection
and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), of the intent to repatriate
cultural items in the possession of the U.S. Department of the
Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Central Arizona Project Repository,
Tucson, AZ, and in the control of the U.S. Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office, Phoenix, AZ, that meet the
definition of ``unassociated funerary object'' under Section 2 of the
Act.
    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

[[Page 8995]]

museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these
cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations within this notice.
    The 74 cultural items are whole and reconstructable ceramic
vessels; sherds; chipped stone artifacts and debitage; ground stone;
worked and unworked nonhuman bone; worked and unworked shell; and
archeomagnetic, pollen, and flotation samples that were collected
during legally authorized data recovery efforts by the Phoenix Area
Office and are now curated at the Central Arizona Project Repository.
    Between 1980 and 1981, legally authorized data recovery efforts
were undertaken by the Arizona State Museum for the Bureau of
Reclamation at the Las Fosas site, AZ U:15:19(ASM), in the Gila River
Valley east of Florence, Pinal County, AZ. The 13 unassociated funerary
objects that were recovered include 6 bowls (reconstructable from
sherds), 1 projectile point, 1 flake tool, and 5 flotation samples. On
the basis of archeological context, chronometric, architectural,
ceramic, and other types of artifactual evidence, the site represents a
Hohokam occupation of the Classic period (A.D. 1150-1450).
    Between 1980 and 1981, legally authorized data recovery efforts
were undertaken by the Arizona State Museum for the Bureau of
Reclamation at Frogtown, AZ U:15:61(ASM), west of Florence Junction,
Pinal County, AZ. The one unassociated funerary object is a carved
piece of shell. On the basis of archeological context, chronometric,
architectural, ceramic, and other types of artifactual evidence, the
site represents a Hohokam occupation of the Santa Cruz and Sacaton
Phases (A.D. 750-1150) of the Preclassic period.
    Between 1980 and 1981, legally authorized data recovery efforts
were undertaken by the Arizona State Museum for the Bureau of
Reclamation at the Dustbowl site, AZ U:15:76(ASM), on the Gila River
northeast of Florence, Pinal County, AZ. The two unassociated funerary
objects are one sherd disk and one bag of sherds. On the basis of
archeological context, architectural, ceramic, and other types of
artifactual evidence, the site represents a Hohokam occupation of the
Santa Cruz Phase (A.D. 750-900) of the Preclassic period.
     Between 1980 and 1981, legally authorized data recovery efforts
were undertaken by the Arizona State Museum for the Bureau of
Reclamation at the Saguaro site, AZ U:15:77(ASM), on the Gila River
northeast of Florence, Pinal County, AZ. The eight unassociated
funerary objects are three stone cores, two hammerstones, two manos,
and one bag of sherds. On the basis of archeological context,
architectural, ceramic, and other types of artifactual evidence, the
site represents a Hohokam occupation of the Preclassic period (A.D.
700-1150).
    Between 1986 and 1987, legally authorized data recovery efforts
were undertaken by Archaeological Consulting Services for the Bureau of
Reclamation at site AZ T:3:10(ASM), near the Agua Fria and New River
Valleys north of Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ. The three unassociated
funerary objects are one partial ceramic scoop and two flotation and
pollen samples. On the basis of archeological context, architectural,
ceramic, and other artifactual evidence, this site represents a Hohokam
occupation of the Preclassic period (A.D. 800-1150).
    In 1985, legally authorized data recovery efforts were undertaken
by the Museum of Northern Arizona for the Bureau of Reclamation at the
Brady Wash site, NA18003 (MNA), at the base of the Picacho Mountains in
Pinal County, AZ. The one unassociated funerary object is a Sacaton
Red/Buff ceramic censer. On the basis of archeological context,
chronometric, architectural, ceramic, and other artifactual evidence,
this site represents a Hohokam occupation of the Classic period (A.D.
1150-1450).
    In 1985, Arizona State University undertook legally authorized data
recovery for the Bureau of Reclamation at the Muchas Casas site, AZ
AA:12:2(ASU), north of Tucson, Pima County, AZ. The nine unassociated
funerary objects are one miniature ceramic bowl, one reconstructed
miniature ceramic jar, four bags of sherds, one faunal bone, and two
mineral samples. On the basis of archeological context, chronometric,
architectural, ceramic, and other artifactual evidence, this site
represents a Hohokam occupation of the Classic period (A.D. 1150-1450).
    Between 1982 and 1983, Arizona State Museum undertook a legally
authorized survey for the Bureau of Reclamation at site AZ
AA:12:331(ASM), at the base of the Picacho Mountains, Pima County, AZ.
The one unassociated funerary object is a bag of ochre that was
recovered in a soil matrix from a possible cremation exposed on the
surface. On the basis of archeological context, architectural, ceramic,
and other artifactual evidence, this site represents a Hohokam
occupation of the Classic period (A.D. 1150-1450).
    Between 1985 and 1986, legally authorized data recovery efforts
were undertaken by Northland Research for the Bureau of Reclamation at
the Hind site, AZ AA:1:62(ASM), in the lower Santa Cruz Valley, Pinal
County, AZ, in an area to be impacted by the Santa Rosa Canal. The two
unassociated funerary objects are two large Gila Plain bowl sherds. On
the basis of archeological context, chronometric dating (radiocarbon
and archeomagnetic), architectural, ceramic, and other artifactual
evidence, this site is dated to the Late Pioneer through Early
Sedentary Phases (A.D. 700-950) of the Preclassic period.
     Between 1985 and 1986, legally authorized data recovery efforts
were undertaken by Northland Research for the Bureau of Reclamation at
Shelltown, AZ AA:1:66(ASM), located in the lower Santa Cruz Valley,
Pinal County, AZ, in an area to be impacted by the Santa Rosa Canal.
The 34 unassociated funerary objects are 1 partially reconstructable
Snaketown Red/Buff bowl; 1 partial Gila Butte Red/Buff bowl; 1 partial
Red/Buff jar; 14 bags of sherds; 1 worked sherd; 4 bags of chipped
stone; 1 bag of unworked shell; 1 bag of unworked faunal bone; and 10
flotation, pollen, and radiocarbon samples. On the basis of
archeological context, chronometric dating (radiocarbon and
archeomagnetic), architectural, ceramic, and other artifactual
evidence, this site represents a Hohokam occupation of the Gila Butte
through Sacaton Phases (A.D. 600-1150) of the Preclassic period.
    Evidence provided by anthropological, archeological, biological,
geographical, historical, kinship, linguistics, and oral tradition
sources was considered in determining the cultural affiliation of these
cultural items. Bureau of Reclamation officials have determined that,
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2(e), the preponderance of the evidence suggests
that the historic O'odham groups (Ak-Chin Indian Community of the Ak-
Chin Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila River Indian Community of the
Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian
Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona; and Tohono O'odham
Nation of Arizona, including the San Xavier District) have a strong
cultural affiliation with the prehistoric Hohokam who occupied the
middle Gila Valley and surrounding areas. Great similarities in
settlement patterns, economic systems, architecture, and material
culture point to a close relationship between the Hohokam and the
O'odham groups. The O'odham were well established along the rivers and
in the deserts when the Spanish first arrived in northern Sonora and
southern Arizona.

[[Page 8996]]

     One of the two Pima moieties claims descent from the Hohokam,
while the other moiety is said to have descended from the ``emergers,''
those who overthrew the Hohokam leaders. Although the O'odham belong to
the same linguistic group (Piman) as communities in what is now
northern Mexico, shared vocabulary and syntax with Yuman language
groups along the Colorado River suggest a long-term history of
interaction that stretches back into prehistoric times in what is now
southern Arizona.
    Evidence also shows the interaction of ancestral Zuni and Hopi
groups with the prehistoric Hohokam. This interaction is indicated by
the presence of trade items, particularly ceramics. Such interaction
continued into protohistoric and early historic times. In addition to
trade, Hopi and Zuni migration traditions indicate that clans
originating from areas south of the Colorado Plateau joined the plateau
communities late in prehistoric times. These groups contributed
ceremonies, societies, and iconography to the plateau groups. Both
O'odham and Western Pueblo oral traditions indicate that some Hohokam
groups may have left the Salt-Gila River Basin after disastrous floods
and social upheaval. These groups traveled north and east, possibly to
be assimilated by the Hopi and Zuni. These ties are reflected in some
of the traditional ceremonies maintained as part of the annual
ceremonial cycle.
     Evidence suggests that the Hopi and Zuni are also culturally
affiliated with the Hohokam. Their ancestors had trade relationships
and other likely interactions with the Hohokam, similar to those found
between groups in the early historic period. Hopi and Zuni oral
traditions indicate that segments of the prehistoric Hohokam population
migrated to the areas occupied by the Hopi and Zuni and were
assimilated into the resident populations.
     Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Bureau
of Reclamation have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2
(d)(2)(ii), the 74 cultural items 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, and are
believed, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from
a specific burial site of a Native American individual. Officials of
the Bureau of Reclamation also 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 unassociated funerary objects and the
Ak-Chin Indian Community of the Ak-Chin Indian Reservation, Arizona;
Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation,
Arizona; Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian
Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona; Tohono O'odham Nation
of Arizona; and the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico.
    This notice has been sent to the Ak-Chin Indian Community of the
Ak-Chin Indian Reservation, Arizona; Chemehuevi Indian Tribe of the
Chemehuevi Indian Reservation, California; Cocopah Tribe of Arizona;
Colorado River Indian Tribes of the Colorado River Indian Reservation,
Arizona and California; Fort McDowell Mohave-Apache Community of the
Fort McDowell Indian Reservation, Arizona; Fort Mohave Indian Tribe of
Arizona, California & Nevada; Gila River Indian Community of the Gila
River Indian Reservation, Arizona; Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Pascua Yaqui
Tribe of Arizona; Quechan Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation,
California & Arizona; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the
Salt River Reservation, Arizona; San Carlos Apache Tribe of the San
Carlos Reservation, Arizona; Tohono O'Odham Nation of Arizona; Tonto
Apache Tribe of Arizona; White Mountain Apache Tribe of the Fort Apache
Reservation, Arizona; Yavapai-Apache Nation of the Camp Verde Indian
Reservation, Arizona; Yavapai-Prescott Tribe of the Yavapai
Reservation, Arizona; and the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New
Mexico. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself
to be culturally affiliated with these unassociated funerary objects
should contact in writing Jon Czaplicki or Bruce Ellis, Bureau of
Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office, P.O. Box 81169, Phoenix, AZ 85069-
1169, telephone (602) 216-3862, before March 29, 2002. Repatriation of
these unassociated funerary objects to the Ak-Chin Indian Community of
the Ak-Chin Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila River Indian Community of
the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona; Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Salt
River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt River Reservation,
Arizona; Tohono O'Odham Nation of Arizona; and the Zuni Tribe of the
Zuni Reservation, New Mexico may begin after that date if no additional
claimants come forward.

    Dated: January 25, 2002.
Robert Stearns,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 02-4581 Filed 2-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S