Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the University of Nebraska State Museum, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 222 (Wednesday, November 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 64100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30683]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the University of 
Nebraska State Museum, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9, 
of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated 
funerary objects in the possession of the University of Nebraska State 
Museum, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE.
    A detail assessment of the human remains was made by University of 
Nebraska professional staff in consultation with representatives of the 
Omaha Tribe of Nebraska.
    In 1939, human remains representing an unknown number of 
individuals were removed from a historic Omaha cemetery (25 DK 2a) in 
Dakota County, NE during excavations under the direction of Stanley 
Bartos, Jr. No known individuals were identified. During NAGPRA 
inventory activity in 1994-1995, five individuals from this site were 
found in the University's collections.
    In 1940, human remains representing an unknown number of 
individuals were removed from a historic Omaha cemetery (25 DK 10) in 
Dakota County, NE during excavations under the direction of John 
Champe. No known individuals were identified. During NAGPRA inventory 
activity in 1994-1995, three individuals from this site were found in 
the University's collections.
    Prior to November 16, 1990, the University of Nebraska, Lincoln and 
the Omaha Tribe agreed to repatriate all individuals and associated 
funerary objects then identified from these two sites. Consultations 
with representatives of the Omaha Tribe during this time identified 
these two sites as historic Omaha cemeteries.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the 
University of Nebraska have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical 
remains of eight individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of 
the University of Nebraska have not determined the cultural affiliation 
of these Native American human remains because, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 
3009(2), these human remains are part of an action on a repatriation 
request pending on the date of enactment of NAPGRA and will therefore 
be repatriated to the Omaha Tribe.
    In 1941, human remains representing two individuals were recovered 
from the Maxwell site (25 DK 13) near Homer, NE during excavations 
conducted by S. Bartos Jr. under the direction of John L. Champe and 
Paul Cooper. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Based on the degree of preservation and skeletal morphology, these 
individuals have been determined to be Native American from the 
historic period. Based on the apparent age of the remains and the 
location of this burial, this individual has been determined to be 
affiliated with the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska.
    During the 1910s, human remains representing one individual were 
recovered during construction activity at 13th and I Street in Omaha, 
NE by Robert Gilder who donated the human remains to the University of 
Nebraska State Museum. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on the condition of the remains and copper staining on a hand 
phalanx, this individual has been determined to be Native American. A 
historic Omaha village site is located several miles to the south of 
this burial site. Based on the apparent age of the remains and the 
location of this burial, this individual has been determined to be 
affiliated with the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska.
    In 1940, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from Emil Entenmann's cornfield in Stanton County, NE, and acquired by 
the Museum. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    Because glass beads are reported to have been associated with the 
burial, these human remains have been determined to be Native American 
from the historic period. During the historic period, the Omaha Tribe 
occupied the immediate vicinity of this burial. Consultation with 
representatives of the Omaha Tribe confirms this information that this 
burial is attributable to the Omaha Tribe.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent that physical 
remains of four individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of 
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have determined that, pursuant to 43 
CFR 10.2(e), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can 
be reasonably traced between these Native American human remains and 
the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Omaha Tribe of 
Nebraska. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and 
associated funerary objects should contact Dr. Priscilla Grew, Vice 
Chancellor for Research, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 302 Canfield 
Administration Building, Lincoln, NE 68588-0433; telephone (402) 472-
3123, before December 18, 1998. Repatriation of the human remains to 
the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.
    The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations 
within this notice.

    Dated: November 10, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and 
Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-30683 Filed 11-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M