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 KSHS, 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, two individuals have been identified from Lyon County, KS (UBS 1997-04). The one associated funerary object is a catlinite pipestone gorget fragment. Human remains were exposed by chisel plowing and removed by the landowner. They were then transferred to KSHS on March 11, 1997. An unspecified glue is present on the bone fragments.

Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been identified from Barton County, KS (UBS 2025-07). The 161 associated funerary objects include animal bone, chipped stone, ceramics, and burned earth. A human tooth was found in the donated items from an excavation that took place in 1962 by Orrie Graves and Robert Button. The collection was transferred from Kansas State University to KSHS in 2025.

Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been identified from Rice County, KS (UBS 2026-03). The 5,554 associated funerary objects include a bison skull, shell, modified shell, modified bone tools, and faunal remains. A human tooth was found in this site collection during review by the KSHS lab director. The items found near the tooth in a bell-shaped storage pit were determined to be associated funerary objects.

Unless noted, and to the best of our knowledge, no hazardous substances were used to treat any of the human remains or 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

The KSHS has determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of four individuals of Native American ancestry.
• The 5,716 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 Kaw Nation, 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 October 30, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the KSHS 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. The KSHS 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 61870