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 Indiana State University, 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, one individual has been identified from site 12-Gi-0011 (Berry Site aka Mussel Knoll) in Gibson Co., IN. The six associated funerary objects are lots of red ochre, chert, animal bone, rocks, ceramic sherds, and mussel shell. This site was a shell midden with a strong Middle Archaic component and a historic house built on top. It was surveyed by C. Dean Higgenbotham in 1978.

Human remains representing, at least, one individual has been identified from site 12-Gi-0014 in Gibson Co., IN. The five associated funerary objects are lots of chert, ceramic sherds, mussel shell, hardstone, and animal bone. The site is an Archaic shell midden that was surveyed by C. Dean Higgenbotham in 1978.

Human remains representing, at least, 16 individuals have been identified from 12-Gi-0017/0180 (Moore Bluff/Moore Rockshelter) in Gibson Co., IN. The eight associated funerary objects are lots of ceramic sherds, mussel shell, animal bone, chert, red ochre, rock, charcoal, and soil. The bluff and rockshelter are geographically close and material from the sites became co-mingled; therefore, they are treated as one site. The site is multicomponent, with evidence from the Archaic and Woodland periods. The region was excavated by C. Dean Higgenbotham in 1978.

Human remains representing, at least, one individual has been identified from site 12-Gi-0031 (White Pasture) in Gibson Co., IN. The two associated funerary objects are lots of chert and mussel shell. The Archaic (Riverton) site was surveyed by ISU staff in 1983 who surface collected material.

Human remains representing, at least, two individuals have been identified from site 12-Gi-0035 in Gibson Co., IN. There are no associated funerary objects. The site is pre-contact with no diagnostic artifacts. It was surveyed by Higgenbotham in 1978 and ISU staff in 1983.

Human remains representing, at least, one individual has been identified from site 12-Gi-0049 (Dripping Springs Hill) in Gibson Co., IN. The four associated funerary objects are lots of hardstone, chert, red ochre, and charcoal. The Archaic site was excavated by C. Dean Higgenbotham in 1978.

Human remains representing, at least, one individual has been identified from 12-Gi-0331 in Gibson Co, IN. There are no associated funerary objects. The pre-contact site had no diagnostic artifacts and was excavated by C. Dean Higgenbotham in 1979.

There are no known hazardous materials associated with any of the sites or materials.

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

Indiana State University has determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of 23 individuals of Native American ancestry.
• The 25 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 Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Quapaw Nation; Shawnee Tribe; and The Osage Nation.

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 December 14, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, Indiana State University 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. Indiana State University 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 72900