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 Cherokee National Forest, and additional information on the cultural items in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the identifications in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

Based on the information available, no human remains have been identified. The 25,150 unassociated funerary objects are pottery, lithics, faunal bone, shell, charcoal, associated feature soils and one lot (1,167 kilograms) of burned rocks.

In 1994, archaeological investigations of the southwestern portions site 40WG17 in Washington County, Tennessee, were carried out by the Cherokee National Forest and Appalachian State University. Fieldwork consisted of controlled surface collection, systematic auger sampling, and systemic plow zone ( printed page 52349) excavation. Although human remains were observed on the surface, they were not disturbed or collected. Pottery, lithic artifacts, animal bone and shell, and burned rocks were collected within each 10 x 10-meter collection sample square and from corresponding auger tests and excavation units. In total, one lot (1,167.720 kg) of burned rocks; 7,492 lithic artifacts; 17,405 prehistoric ceramic artifacts; 80 animal bone and shell fragments; and 170 historic artifacts were collected. In addition, one lot of soil samples and one lot of charcoal samples were collected.

Determinations

The Cherokee National Forest has determined that:

• The 25,150 unassociated funerary objects described in this notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near human remains, and are connected, either at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony of a Native American culture according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. The unassociated funerary objects have been identified by a preponderance of the evidence as related to human remains, specific individuals, or families, or removed from a specific burial site or burial area of an individual or individuals with cultural affiliation to an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
• The Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma have priority for disposition of the cultural items described in this notice.

Claims for Disposition

Written claims for disposition of the cultural items 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 13, 2027, the cultural items in this notice will become unclaimed cultural items. 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 cultural items in this notice may occur on or after September 14, 2026. If competing claims for disposition are received, the Cherokee National Forest must determine the most appropriate claimant prior to disposition. Claims for joint disposition of the cultural items are considered a single claim and not competing claims. The Cherokee National Forest 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 52348