Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains, Associated Funerary Objects, and Unassociated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Museum of Anthropology, University of Missouri- Columbia, Columbia, MO

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 13035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6307]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains, 
Associated Funerary Objects, and Unassociated Funerary Objects in the 
Possession of the Museum of Anthropology, University of Missouri-
Columbia, Columbia, MO

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

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    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, associated funerary 
objects, and unassociated funerary objects in the possession of Museum 
of Anthropology, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Museum of 
Anthropology professional staff in consultation with representatives of 
the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma on behalf and as authorized NAGPRA 
representatives of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians.
    Between 1939-1950, human remains representing a minimum of six 
individuals were recovered from the Gumbo Point site south of the 
Missouri River in Van Meter State Park, Saline County, MO during 
archeological excavations conducted by the Missouri Archaeological 
Society. No known individuals were identified. The eleven associated 
funerary objects include pieces of brass, copper, iron, hematite; 
fragments of wood, cloth, glass; and soil samples from burial matrices.
    The five cultural items are a small ceramic pot, a necklace of 
shell and glass beads, a necklace of small blue trade beads, cloth 
fragments, and soil samples from unidentified burials.
    Based on oral tradition, types of associated funerary objects, and 
historical documents, these individuals have been identified as Native 
American. Based on the trade objects and historical documentation of 
this site, these burials are estimated to date to the eighteenth 
century, c. 1727-1777 A.D. Records indicate the five cultural items 
were recovered from burials, however, the human remains with these 
objects cannot be identified. Oral tradition and historical 
documentation further indicate this site was a village site of the 
Missouria during the eighteenth century.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the 
University of Missouri-Columbia have determined that, pursuant to 43 
CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical 
remains of a minimum of six individuals of Native American ancestry. 
Officials of the University of Missouri-Columbia have also determined 
that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the eleven 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. Officials of the University of Missouri-Columbia have also 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2)(ii), these five 
cultural items 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 and are believed, by a preponderance of the 
evidence, to have been removed from a specific burial site of an Native 
American individual. Lastly, officials of the University of Missouri-
Columbia 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, associated funerary 
objects, and unassociated funerary objects and the the Otoe-Missouria 
Tribe of Indians.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Iowa Tribe of 
Oklahoma, the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, and the Otoe-Missouria 
Tribe of Indians. Representatives of any other Indian Tribe that 
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains 
and associated funerary objects should contact Dr. Michael J. O'Brien, 
Director, Museum of Anthropology, 317 Lowry Hall, University of 
Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211; telephone: (573) 882-4421, before April 
15, 1999. Repatriation of the human remains, associated funerary 
objects, and unassociated funerary objects to the Iowa Tribe of 
Oklahoma on behalf and as authorized representatives of the Otoe-
Missouria Tribe of Indians may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.
Dated: March 9, 1999.
Veletta Canouts,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Deputy Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 99-6307 Filed 3-15-99; 8:45 am]
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