[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77907-77908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31658]
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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 Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe of
Louisiana; the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; the Jena Band of Choctaw
Indians; and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Mississippi.
In 1941, human remains representing six individuals were removed
during excavations at Nick's Place (16AV004), Avoyelles Parish, LA, by
Robert S. Nietzel. Mr. Neitzel donated the remains and objects to the
Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science in 1941. No known
individuals were identified. The 363 associated funerary objects are
Euroamerican bracelets, rings, glass beads, textiles, shell fragments,
gun flints, lead shot, iron nails, and iron nail fragments.
Unassociated funerary objects also were removed during these
excavations.
Nick's Place consists of a conical mound near the eastern
escarpment of the Marksville prairie, about a mile south of Marksville,
LA. The human remains and funerary objects described here were removed
from intrusive historic-age burials into the mound. The associated
funerary objects date the burials to the late 18th or early 19th
centuries. Archeological evidence and characteristics of the mortuary
program culturally affiliate the remains with the Choctaw. Oral history
evidence indicates that the Choctaw population occupying Nick's Place
during the 18th and 19th centuries were absorbed into the Tunica-Biloxi
Tribe.
In 1934-1935, human remains representing one individual were
removed from the Angola Farm Site (16WF002), West Feliciana Parish, LA,
by James Ford. The Angola Farm Site is currently on the grounds of the
Louisiana State Penitentiary. The remains and objects were removed from
``Burial 7.'' Dr. Ford donated these remains and objects to the
Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science in 1935 and 1939.
No known individual was identified. The 11 associated funerary objects
are an aboriginal pot, an iron spike, gun parts, gun flints, and iron
nails. Funerary objects interred with individuals whose remains are not
present in Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science
collections also were removed during these excavations.
The Angola Farm Site is an historic cemetery located below the
bluffs on the eastern side of the Mississippi River. The burial was
removed from a filled stream channel at the site. Archeological and
historic evidence indicate that the site was a small Tunica village and
cemetery occupied 1706-1731.
Based on archeological evidence, the human remains and objects from
the two sites described above date to the post-European contact period
in the late 17th-early 19th centuries. Historical documentation and
oral history indicate that the sites were occupied either by Tunica
groups or by groups that were absorbed into the Tunica-Biloxi Indian
Tribe of Louisiana. The geographical location of these sites during
this time period is consistent with the known traditional territory of
the Tunica-Biloxi people.
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 seven 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 (d)(2), the
374 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 Louisiana
State University Museum of Natural Science 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 Tunica-Biloxi
Indian Tribe of Louisiana; the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; the Jena
Band of Choctaw Indians; and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians,
Mississippi.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Tunica-Biloxi Indian
Tribe of Louisiana; the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; the Jena Band of
Choctaw Indians; and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians,
Mississippi. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes
itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and
associated funerary objects 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 the human remains and
associated funerary objects to the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe of
Louisiana; the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; the Jena Band of Choctaw
Indians; and the Mississippi Band of
[[Page 77908]]
Choctaw Indians, Mississippi 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. 00-31658 Filed 12-12-00 ; 8:45 am]
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