[Federal Register: December 17, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 242)] [Notices] [Page 69650-69651] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr17de98-95] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains from Yavapai County, AZ in the Control of the Prescott National Forest, USDA Forest Service, Prescott, AZ AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior ACTION: Notice ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 from Yavapai County, AZ in the control of the Prescott National Forest, USDA Forest Service, Prescott, AZ. A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Arizona State University, Museum of Northern Arizona and USDA Forest Service professional staff in consultation with [[Page 69651]] representatives of the Camp Verde Yavapai-Apache Indian Community, the Havasupai Tribe, the Hopi Tribe, the Hualapai Tribe, the Navajo Nation, the Pueblo of Zuni, and the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe. Between 1965-1975, human remains representing 21 individuals were recovered from four sites (AZ N:04:0002; AZ N:04:0005; AZ N:04:0012; and AZ N:04:0017) within the Prescott National Forest during legally authorized excavations conducted by Arizona State University. No known individuals were identified. The 23 associated funerary objects include ceramic fragments; bone and stone tools; burned animal bones; ground stone; shell; clay; and a burned corn cob. Based on material culture, architecture, and site organization, these four sites have been identified as Southern Sinaguan large masonry pueblo, a small pueblo, a pithouse village, and a burial ground occupied between 900-1400 A.D. Continuities of ethnographic materials, technology, and architecture indicate affiliation of Southern Sinaguan sites in this portion of central Arizona with historic and present-day Puebloan cultures. Oral traditions presented by representatives of the Hopi Tribe support cultural affiliation with Southern Sinaguan sites in central Arizona. In 1985, human remains representing one individual were recovered from site NA 18494 during legally authorized salvage excavations conducted by Dr. Thomas R. Cartledge of Kaibab National Forest following disturbance of the burial. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Based on material culture, site NA 18494 has been identified as a Cohonina burial site dating between 700-900 A.D. Continuities of ethnographic materials, tecnology, and architecture indicate affiliation of Cohonina sites in north central Arizona with the Hopi Tribe. Oral traditions presented by representatives of the Hopi Tribe support Hopi cultural affiliation with Cohonina sites in this portion of Arizona. Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the USDA Forest Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of 22 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the USDA Forest Service have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 23 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 USDA Forest Service 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, the Hopi Tribe, and the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe. . This notice has been sent to officials of the Camp Verde Yavapai- Apache Indian Community, the Havasupai Tribe, the Hopi Tribe, the Hualapai Tribe, the Navajo Nation, the Pueblo of Zuni, and the Yavapai- Prescott Indian Tribe. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains should contact Dr. Frank E. Wozniak, NAGPRA Coordinator, Southwestern Region, USDA Forest Service, 517 Gold Ave. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102; telephone: (505) 842-3238, fax: (505) 842-3800, before January 19, 1999. Repatriation of the human remains to the Hopi Tribe and the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Dated: December 11, 1998. Veletta Canouts, Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Deputy Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program. [FR Doc. 98-33449 Filed 12-16-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-F