[Federal Register: November 26, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 228)]
[Notices]
[Page 66481-66482]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26no03-103]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion: Arkansas Department of Parks and
Tourism, Arkansas State Parks, Little Rock, AR, and Arkansas
Archeological Survey, Fayetteville, AR
AGENCY: National Park Service.
ACTION: Notice.
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Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the
completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary
objects in the control of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism,
Arkansas State Parks, Little Rock, AR, and in the possession of the
Arkansas Archeological Survey, Fayetteville, AR. The human remains and
associated funerary objects were removed from Toltec Mounds
Archeological State Park, Lonoke County, AR.
This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003 (d)(3).
The determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of
the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the
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 Arkansas
Archeological Survey professional staff in consultation with
representatives of the Quapaw Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma and Arkansas
Department of Parks and Tourism, Arkansas State Parks, Little Rock, AR.
In 1979, 1989, 1998, and 1999, human remains representing 15
individuals were removed by the Arkansas Archeological Survey from site
3LN42 at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park. No known individuals
were identified. The two associated funerary objects are one plain
shell-tempered ceramic bottle and one red-filmed shell-tempered ceramic
bowl.
The remains of five individuals have been dated to the Plum Bayou
Culture (A.D. 750 to 950), a local tradition that developed in the late
Woodland period. The Plum Bayou Culture is characterized by common
vessel shapes and a predominance of plainware; minor amounts of Larto
Red, Officer Punctated, Coles Creek Incised (Keo variety), and French
Fork Incised vessels; particular styles of lithic tools; and use of
some lithic raw materials from central Arkansas sources. The Plum Bayou
Culture has been extensively studied by Martha Rolingson, the
archeologist at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park since its
establishment in 1976.
The remains of one individual and the two associated funerary
objects have been dated to the Menard Complex (A.D. 1450 to 1700), a
local tradition that developed along the lower Arkansas River during
the Mississippian period. The Menard Complex is characterized by an
increased prevalence of painted ware, and common vessel shapes
including globular neck bottles and helmet bowls.
The remains of nine individuals cannot be precisely dated, but are
believed to have been interred at some point during the late Woodland,
Mississippian, or historic period.
Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park is located along an oxbow of
the lower Arkansas River. Archeological evidence from the park
indicates a continuity of human occupation from A.D. 750 into the
historic period. French explorers documented Quapaw villages at the
mouth of the Arkansas River around 1700. The Quapaw are known to have
hunted and traveled along the central Arkansas River in the vicinity of
Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park during the historic period. In
1818, the Quapaw ceded this portion of the central Arkansas River
valley, including the land that became Toltec Mounds Archeological
State Park, to the United States. The continuity of archeological and
historical evidence supports a relationship of shared group identity
between the prehistoric occupants of Toltec Mounds Archeological State
Park and the Quapaw Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma.
The Quapaw Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma maintains a strong link to
Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park, and has negotiated an agreement
with the Arkansas State Parks to establish a Keepsafe Cemetery at the
park for the reburial of Native American human remains and associated
funerary objects recovered from the Arkansas River valley. Quapaw
traditional religious leaders have sanctified an area of the site for
reburial of human remains.
[[Page 66482]]
Officials of Arkansas State Parks and the Arkansas Archeological
Survey have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the
human remains described above represent the physical remains of 15
individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of Arkansas State
Parks and the Arkansas Archeological Survey also have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the two 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 Arkansas State Parks and the Arkansas
Archeological Survey have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001
(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be
reasonably traced between the Native American human remains and
associated funerary objects and the Quapaw Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary
objects should contact Patricia Murphy, Director, Historical Resources
and Museum Services, Arkansas State Parks, One Capitol Mall, Little
Rock, AR 72201, telephone (501) 682-3603, before December 26, 2003.
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects to
the Quapaw Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma may proceed after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.
The Arkansas Archeological Survey in conjunction with Arkansas
State Parks is responsible for notifying the Quapaw Tribe of Indians,
Oklahoma, that this notice has been published.
Dated: October 28, 2003.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources.
[FR Doc. 03-29503 Filed 11-25-03; 8:45 am]
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