SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in its inventory or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

Ancestor remains representing, at least, one individual have been identified. No associated funerary objects are present. The Ancestor was originally housed in the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Anthropology's Osteological Collection. The label “FRC-1” is associated with the Ancestor. This label likely refers to archaeological site 1Fr1, “Little Bear Cave,” Franklin County, AL. UAB has no records relating to this site or to the removal of this Ancestor. Site 1Fr1 is a limestone cave located in western Franklin County. The site was discovered in 1936 by Mr. W.A. Barksdale while setting traps in the area. He removed the remains of 10 Ancestors in January 1936. The site was subsequently visited in February of that year by archaeologists from the University of Alabama, who removed additional Ancestors, two pottery vessels, and other artifacts. The association of the pottery and other artifacts with the Ancestor burials at the site is unknown; therefore, the age of the Ancestor is unknown. To our knowledge, no potentially hazardous substances have been used to treat the Ancestor.

Cultural Affiliation

Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is reasonably identified by the geographical location or acquisition history of the humans remains described in this notice.

Determinations

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry.
• There is a connection between the human remains described in this notice and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas; Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Poarch Band of Creek Indians; The Chickasaw Nation; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town.

Requests for Repatriation

Written requests for repatriation of the human remains in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under ADDRESSES . Requests for repatriation may be submitted by:

1. Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice.

2. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal descendant or an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation.

Repatriation of the human remains described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after August 31, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the University of Alabama at Birmingham must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint ( printed page 48422) repatriation of the human remains are considered a single request and not competing requests. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and any other consulting parties.

Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.

91 FR 48421