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 TPWD, 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

TARL houses human remains and materials from multiple sites in Nueces County, all associated with the Rockport material culture associated with the Texas Central Gulf Coast region.

Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County, TX

In 1995, a park visitor identified one Native American individual within the Mustang Island State Park. The human remains were turned over to TPWD. No associated funerary objects were identified with the individual.

Webb Island (41NU1)

From 1929-1955, human remains representing, at least, two Native American individuals were removed from site 41NU1 in Nueces County, Texas. No associated funerary objects were recorded from site 41NU1.

Oso Bay (41NU2)

From 1900-2004, human remains representing, at least, 161 Native American individuals and 1,299 associated funerary objects were removed from site 41NU2 in Nueces County, Texas. The 1,299 associated funerary objects represent asphaltum clumps, faunal bones, bone tool, charcoal samples, soil samples, daub, debitage, marine shells, modified shell, and ochre.

Bill Jenkins Farm (41NU3)

In 1936, human remains representing, at least, two Native American individual was removed from site 41NU3 in Nueces County, Texas. No associated funerary objects were recorded from site 41NU3.

Jesse Hunter Farm (41NU8)

In 1936, human remains representing, at least, two Native American individual was removed from site 41NU8 in Nueces County, Texas. No associated funerary objects were recorded from site 41NU8.

41NU23

From 1967-1973, two Native American individuals were removed from site 41NU23 in Nueces County, Texas. No associated funerary objects were recorded from site 41NU23.

Erving Phillips Farm; W.E. (Buck) Richardson Farm (41NU71)

From 1931-1932, human remains representing, at least, 13 Native American individuals were removed from site 41NU71 (also referred to as 41NU74) in Nueces County, Texas. No associated funerary objects were recorded from site 41NU71.

Hog Island (41NU298)

From 2004-2005, human remains representing, at least, one Native American individual and 19 associated funerary objects were removed from site 41NU298 in Nueces County, Texas. The 19 associated funerary objects are represented by unmodified faunal bones.

Unknown Nueces County, Texas (41NU)

Human remains representing, at least, nine Native American individuals and two shells were identified associated with Nueces County. The remains are associated with “Rincon Point,” a location within Nueces County, but have no site identification, nor are they associated with any records with further information currently available at TARL. The two associated funerary objects are two shells.

TARL has no knowledge or record of any potentially hazardous substances being used to treat the human remains or associated funerary objects within this notice. However, wooden dowels, glue residue, metal wires, ink, and shellac have been noted in and on human remains and associated funerary objects.

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 human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice.

Determinations

TARL and TPWD have determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of 193 individuals of Native American ancestry.
• The 1,320 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 Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas; Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, Oklahoma; Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas; Kiowa Tribe (previously listed as Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma); Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico; Thlopthlocco Tribal Town; Tonkawa Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco, & Tawakonie), Oklahoma. ( printed page 55906)

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 30, 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 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 55905