84 FR 18316 - Notice of Inventory Completion: University of South Alabama, Center for Archaeological Studies, Mobile, AL

The University of South Alabama, Center for Archaeological Studies has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a written request to the University of South Alabama, Center for Archaeological Studies. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 83 (Tuesday, April 30, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18316-18317]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2019-08742]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0027662; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: University of South Alabama, 
Center for Archaeological Studies, Mobile, AL

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The University of South Alabama, Center for Archaeological 
Studies has completed an inventory of human remains and associated 
funerary objects, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or 
Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is a 
cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary 
objects and present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. 
Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
request transfer of control of these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should submit a written request to the University of 
South Alabama, Center for Archaeological Studies. If no additional 
requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and 
associated funerary objects to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, 
or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or 
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
request transfer of control of these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should submit a written request with information in 
support of the request to the University of South Alabama, Center for 
Archaeological Studies at the address in this notice by May 30, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Phil Carr, Director, Center for Archaeological Studies, 
University of South Alabama, 6052 USA Drive South, Mobile, AL 36688, 
telephone (252) 460-6907, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 under the control of the University of 
South Alabama, Center for Archaeological Studies, Mobile, AL. The human 
remains and associated funerary objects were removed from two sites in 
Mobile County, AL.
    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 in 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 in this notice.

Consultation

    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the 
University of South Alabama, Center for Archaeological Studies 
professional staff in consultation with representatives of Alabama-
Coushatta Tribe of Texas (previously listed as the Alabama-Coushatta 
Tribes of Texas); Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town; Chitimacha Tribe of 
Louisiana; Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana; Miccosukee Tribe of Indians; 
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians; Poarch Band of Creeks (previously 
listed as the Poarch Band of Creek Indians of Alabama); Seminole Tribe 
of Florida (previously listed as the Seminole Tribe of Florida (Dania, 
Big Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood & Tampa Reservations)); The Choctaw 
Nation of Oklahoma; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; The Seminole Nation of 
Oklahoma; Thlopthlocco Tribal Town; and the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe 
(hereafter referred to as ``The Consulted Tribes'').

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1949, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual was 
removed by Francis Walter from Site 1MB158 in Mobile County, AL. In 
2004, the human remains and associated funerary objects were donated to 
the University of South Alabama, Center for Archaeological Studies. In 
January 2019, the human remains were inventoried by Bioarchaeologist 
Dr. Lesley Gregoricka. She determined that this individual is 
represented by a relatively complete skull, including the cranium, 
detached maxilla, mandible, and 22 in situ permanent teeth. The enamel 
crowns were worn, but were otherwise in a good state of preservation. 
Prior to Dr. Gregoricka's analysis, an unknown individual had used glue 
to reconstruct the fragmentary cranial vault. The maxilla and mandible 
had been similarly reconstructed, and are currently adhered to one 
another with glued bamboo skewers. Additional small fragments from the 
maxilla, zygomatic, and temporal bone of the skull appear to have once 
been reattached to the skull, but have since broken off and placed in a 
small, clear plastic box. All the teeth exhibit moderate to significant 
wear. The cranial remains are most consistent with a middle-aged adult 
male. Numerous Wormian bones and an Inca bone, which are found in 
higher frequencies among Native American populations were present along 
the lambdoidal suture. Also, the back of the skull (plagiocephaly) was 
flattened and likely reflects cradle boarding and resultant cranial 
vault modification (tabular). No known individuals were identified. The 
58 associated funerary objects are 43 large pottery sherds and 15 small 
pottery sherds or sherdlets. Based on the pottery temper and design, 
the site dates from the Woodland to Mississippian

[[Page 18317]]

periods, or possibly the Protohistoric period.
    In July of 1982, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed by archeologist Reed Stowe from Nannahubba 
Bluff, located on the Tombigbee River and adjacent to archeological 
site 1MB071 in Mobile County, AL. The human remains consist of 36 skull 
fragments, one pelvic (illa) fragment, and one intermediate phalange #3 
or #4. No known individuals were identified. The one associated 
funerary object is a probable fishbone found in context with burial.
    Site 1MB071 is a prehistoric/historic Native American Village on 
the west bank of the Tombigbee River. It is dated by the pottery types 
of Mulberry Creek Cord Marked (Late Woodland-Early Mississippian) and 
Chickachae Combed (Histoic) found at the site location.

Determinations Made by the University of South Alabama, Center for 
Archaeological Studies

    Officials of the University of South Alabama, Center for 
Archaeological Studies have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 2 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 59 objects described 
in this notice 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.
     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 
Consulted Tribes.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
request transfer of control of these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should submit a written request with information in 
support of the request to Dr. Phil Carr, Director, Center for 
Archaeological Studies, University of South Alabama, 6052 USA Drive 
South, Mobile, AL 36688, telephone (252) 460-6907, email 
[email protected], by May 30, 2019. After that date, if no 
additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to The Consulted Tribes 
may proceed.
    The University of South Alabama, Center for Archaeological Studies 
is responsible for notifying The Consulted Tribes that this notice has 
been published.

    Dated: April 9, 2019.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2019-08742 Filed 4-29-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P