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 Petersburg National Battlefield, and additional information on the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the related records.

Abstract of Information Available

Based on the information available, human remains representing at least one individual have been reasonably identified. The one lot of associated funerary objects include lithic flakes. The human remains and funerary objects were recovered during archeological excavations within the Grant's Headquarters unit at Petersburg National Battlefield in Hopewell, VA. The human remains and associated funerary objects were recovered from two separate discoveries at the same park unit. The March 2024 discovery is represented by at least one individual and no associated funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony are present. The July 2024 discovery is represented by one lot of lithic associated funerary objects, no sacred objects or objects of cultural patrimony present.

Determinations

The Petersburg National Battlefield has determined that:

• The March 2024 human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry.
• The one lot of objects described in this notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony.
• The Catawba Indian Nation; Chickahominy Indian Tribe; Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division; Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Oklahoma; Delaware Nation, Oklahoma; and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe have priority for disposition of the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice.

Claims for Disposition

Written claims for disposition of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice must be sent to the appropriate official identified in this notice under ADDRESSES . If no claim for disposition is received by August 2, 2027, the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice will become unclaimed human remains and associated funerary objects. Claims for disposition may be submitted by:

1. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization identified in this notice.

2. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows that they have priority for disposition.

Disposition of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice may occur on or after August 31, 2026. If competing claims for disposition are received, the Petersburg National Battlefield must determine the most appropriate claimant prior to disposition. Claims for joint disposition of the human remains and associated funerary objects are considered a single claim and not competing claims. The Petersburg National Battlefield is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and to any other consulting parties.

Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3002, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.7.

91 FR 48406