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 TARL, 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

Human remains representing at least 119 individuals have been identified. The 18,934 associated funerary objects include lithic tools, ceramic sherds, ceramic vessels, modified shell, glass and shell beads, faunal bone, ochre, copper covered wooden earspools, charcoal samples, soil samples, and historic materials.

Of the total individuals and materials, 11 individuals and 3,025 associated funerary objects are from archaeological site 41LR1 in Lamar County. Multiple archaeological projects conducted between 1929 and 1964 led to Native American human remains and associated funerary objects being removed from site. Between 1929 and 1995, the above human remains and associated funerary objects came to be held at TARL from excavations, surveys, and donations. The site has historically been associated with the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma.

Human remains representing at least 105 individuals and 15,826 associated funerary objects are housed at TARL from site 41LR2 in Lamar County. Multiple archaeological projects conducted between 1929 and 1961 led to Native American human remains and associated funerary objects being removed from site. Between 1929 and 1995, the human remains and associated funerary objects came to be held at TARL from excavations, surveys, and donations. The site has long been associated with the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma.

At least one individual and 81 associated funerary objects are from archaeological site 41LR3 in Lamar County. Several private collections made in 1934 and 1935 led to Native American human remains and associated funerary objects being removed from site. In 1934 and 1936 the above human remains and associated funerary objects came to be held at TARL. The site has historically been associated with the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma.

Private collections also resulted in Native American human remains and associated funerary objects being removed from an archaeological site in Lamar County referred to as the E.E. Sturdevant Farm. Lacking a trinomial designation, the site is listed as 41LR-. A total of two ancestors and two associated funerary objects were removed from this site. In 1936, the human remains and associated funerary objects from this collection came to be held at TARL. This area has historically been associated with the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma.

Cultural Affiliation

Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is clearly identified by the information available about the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice.

Determinations

TARL has determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of 119 individuals of Native American ancestry.
• The 18,934 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.
• There is a connection between the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice and the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco, & Tawakonie), Oklahoma.

Requests for Repatriation

Written requests for repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects 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 and associated funerary objects described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after September 23, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, TARL must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects are considered a single request and not ( printed page 54753) competing requests. TARL 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 54752