Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 48 (Friday, March 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12349-12351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6110]


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

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 Kansas State 
Historical Society, Topeka, KS

AGENCY: National Park Service

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 Kansas State Historical 
Society, Topeka, KS.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Kansas State 
Historical Society (KSHS) professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes.
    In 1959, human remains representing one individual were excavated 
from the Anthony site (14HP1, or Dow Mandeville site), Harper County, 
KS by University of Kansas archeologist James Chism. At some time 
during the 1960s, these human remains were transferred from the 
University of Kansas to KSHS. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing one individual were 
removed from the Anthony site (14HP1, or Dow Mandeville site), Harper 
County, KS reportedly following their exposure during road construction 
by Sydney Large, who donated the human remains to KSHS in 1988. No 
known individual was identified. The seven associated funerary objects 
are pottery sherds.
    Based on the estimated age of the human remains; and their 
osteological identification as Mongoloid, both individuals have been 
identified as Native American. Based on material culture and geographic 
location, the Anthony site has been identified as a Bluff Creek complex 
occupation dating from c. 1020 A.D. Based on temporal position, 
geographic location, and the general character of material culture, the 
Bluff Creek complex has been identified as possibly being ancestral to 
the Wichita tribe.
    In 1969, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from site 14BA401, Barber County, KS during excavations conducted by 
KSHS archeologists. No known individual was identified. The eight 
associated funerary objects include ceramics, a catlinite pipe 
fragment, bison bone, turtle shell, and a mollusc shell.
    Based on the archeological context and associated funerary objects, 
this individual has been identified as Native American. Based on 
material culture, site 14BA401 has been identified as a Pratt Complex 
occupation dating to the late precontact period. Based on temporal 
position; geographic location; and the general character of material 
culture, particularly the use of grass houses, the Pratt Complex has 
been identified as possibly being ancestral to the Wichita tribe.
    In 1967, human remains representing two individuals were recovered 
from site 14HP5 in Harper County, KS by KSHS archeologists following 
the exposure of the remains due to roadwork. No known individuals were 
identified. The 37 associated funerary objects include shell disc beads 
and one piece of ocher.
    Based on archeological context, burial location, and associated 
funerary objects, these individuals have been identified as Native 
American. Based on

[[Page 12350]]

material culture, site 14HP5 has been identified as a Bluff Creek 
Complex occupation dating from ca. 1020 A.D. Based on temporal 
position, geographic location, and the general character of material 
culture, the Bluff Creek Complex has been identified as possibly being 
ancestral to the Wichita tribe.
    During the 1960s, human remains representing one individual from 
the Saxman site (14RC301), Rice County, KS were donated to KSHS by 
Ralph Thode, who reportedly removed the remains from the site's 
surface. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    Based on the reported association of these remains with the Saxman 
site, this individual has been identified as Native American. Based on 
material culture, the Saxman site has been identified as a village 
occupation of the Little River Focus of the Great Bend Aspect (1400-
1600 A.D). Based on temporal position, geographic location, material 
culture, radiocarbon dates, and historic documents originating with the 
Coronado expedition of 1541, the Little River Focus is considered to be 
a proto-historic manifestation of the present-day Wichita tribe.
    In 1934, human remains representing one individual from the Paint 
Creek site (14MP1) were excavated by Nebraska State Historical Society 
personnel. In 1987, these human remains were transferred from the 
Nebraska State Historical Society to the KSHS. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on the archeological context of the human remains, this 
individual has been identified as Native American. Based on material 
culture, the Paint Creek site has been identified as a village 
occupation of the Little River Focus of the Great Bend Aspect (1400-
1600 A.D.). Based on temporal position, geographic location, material 
culture, radiocarbon dates, and historic documents originating with the 
Coronado expedition of 1541, the Little River Focus is considered to be 
a proto-historic manisfestation of the present-day Wichita tribe.
    In 1995, human remains representing two individuals from the 
Country Club site (14CO3), Cowley County, KS were recovered during 
legally authorized excavations conducted by KSHS archeologists. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects were 
present.
    Based on archeological context, these individuals have been 
identified as Native American. Based on material culture, the Country 
Club site has been identified as a village occupation of the Lower 
Walnut Focus of the Great Bend Aspect (1400-1700 A.D.). Based on 
temporal position, geographic location, material culture, radiocarbon 
dates, and historic documents originating with the Onate expedition of 
1601, the Lower Walnut Focus is considered to be a proto-historic 
manifestation of the present-day Wichita tribe.
    In 1995, human remains representing two individuals from site 
14CO331, Cowley County, KS were recovered during legally authorized 
excavations conducted by KSHS archeologists. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects were present.
    Based on archeological context, these individuals have been 
identified as Native American. Based on material culture and 
radiocarbon dates, site 14CO331 has been identified as a village 
occupation of the Lower Walnut Focus of the Great Bend Aspect (1400-
1700 A.D.). Based on temporal position, geographic location, material 
culture, radiocarbon dates, and historic documents originating with the 
Onate expedition of 1601, the Great Bend Aspect culture is considered 
to be a proto-historic manifestation of the present-day Wichita tribe.
    In 1995, human remains representing one individual from site 
14CO1509, Cowley County, KS were recovered during legally authorized 
excavations conducted by KSHS archeologists. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects were present.
    Based on archeological context, this individual has been identified 
as Native American. Based on material culture and radiocarbon dates, 
sit 14CO1509 has been identified as a village occupation of the Lower 
Walnut Focus of the Great Bend Aspect (1400-1700 A.D.). Based on 
temporal position, geographic location, material culture, radiocarbon 
dates, and historic documents originating with the Onate expedition of 
1601, the Great Bend Aspect culture is considered to be a proto-
historic manifestation of the present-day Wichita tribe.
    In 1995, human remains representing five individuals from site 
14CO385, Cowley County, KS were recovered during legally authorized 
excavations conducted by KSHS archeologists. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects were present.
    Based on archeological context, these individuals have been 
identified as Native American. Due to the extremely fragmented nature 
of the human remains from this site, the minimum number of individuals 
was based on one individual per each storage pit for this village. 
Based on material culture and radiocarbon dates, site 14CO385 has been 
identified as a village occupation of the Lower Walnut Focus of the 
Great Bend Aspect (1400-1700 A.D.). Based on temporal position, 
geographic location, material culture, radiocarbon dates, and historic 
documents originating with the Onate expedition of 1601, the Great Bend 
Aspect culture is considered to be a proto-historic manifestation of 
the present-day Wichita tribe.
    In 1994, human remains representing two individuals from site 
14CO501 were recovered during legally authorized excavations conducted 
by KSHS archeologists. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects were present.
    Based on archeological context, these individuals have been 
identified as Native American. Based on material culture and 
radiocarbon dates, site 14CO501 has been identified as a village 
occupation of the Lower Walnut Focus of the Great Bend Aspect (1400-
1700 A.D.). Based on temporal position, geographic location, material 
culture, radiocarbon dates, and historic documents originating with the 
Onate expedition of 1601, the Great Bend Aspect culture is considered 
to be a proto-historic manifestation of the present-day Wichita tribe.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Kansas 
State Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of 19 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Kansas 
State Historical Society have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (d)(2), the 52 objects listed above are reasonably believed to 
have been placed with or near individual human remains at the time of 
death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony. Lastly, officials 
of the Kansas State Historical Society 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 associated funerary objects and the Wichita and Affiliated 
Tribes.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Wichita and 
Affiliated Tribes. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that 
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains 
and associated funerary objects should contact Randall Thies, 
Archeologist, Kansas State Historical Society, 6425 SW Sixth Avenue, 
Topeka, KS 66606-1099; telephone: (913) 272-8681, ext. 267, before 
April 12, 1999. Repatriation of the human remains and associated

[[Page 12351]]

funerary objects to the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes may begin after 
that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: March 1, 1999.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 99-6110 Filed 3-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F