FR Doc 02-32175
[Federal Register: December 23, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 246)]
[Notices]
[Page 78248-78249]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23de02-73]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Williamson Museum,
Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection
and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3005, Sec. 7, of the intent to
repatriate cultural items in the possession of the Williamson Museum,
Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA, that meet the
definition of ``unassociated funerary objects'' under 25 U.S.C. 3001.
This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003, Sec. 5
(d)(3). The determinations within this notice are the sole
responsibility of the museum, institution, or Federal Agency that has
control of these cultural items. The National Park Service is not
responsible for the determinations within this notice.
In 1959-1960, Dr. Clarence H. Webb excavated approximately 32
graves at the Colfax Ferry site (16-NA-15), Rapids Parish, LA. Most of
the human remains were left in situ. Dr. Webb donated some of the
unassociated funerary objects to the Williamson Museum in two separate
gifts, one in 1961 and the second in 1991. Much of the first donation
was destroyed by fire in 1965. The 668 unassociated funerary objects
remaining in the Williamson Museum collection are 10 coffin nails, 5
coffin fragments, 4 sherds of European pottery (blackware, blue-edged
ware, or creamware), 1 Colono-ware pot sherd, 2 clay pipes, 1 French
glass bottle, 1 glass lens fragment (possibly from eyeglasses), 487
glass trade beads, 11 brass or copper bracelets, 1 brass button, 6
brass trigger guard fragments, 23 cut brass fragments (7 with
perforations), 1 cupreous object, 9 knives (butcher or clasp), 5
spoons, 4 pairs of scissors, 13 crushed cans, 39 nails, 1 spike, 2
pounds of nail fragments, 1 iron tripod,
[[Page 78249]]
2 iron kettle fragments, 2 wrought iron bars, 1 iron wedge, 4 iron rods
(possibly ramrods), 2 bags of iron fragments, 1 rust fragment, 1 lead
bar, 4 silver ear ornaments, 1 silver nose ring, 1 military hat plate
(ca. 1812-1820), 15 triangular silver ornaments, 5 silver disks, 1
worked silver strip (perforated), and 1 whetstone. Other items from the
Colfax Ferry site (16-NA-15) are believed to be in the collection of
the Louisiana Division of Archaeology, Baton Rouge, LA.
A detailed assessment of these associated funerary objects was
conducted by the Williamson Museum staff in consultation with
representatives of the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana and the
Louisiana Division of Archaeology.
The funerary objects recovered from the Colfax Ferry site (16-NA-
15) indicate that the 32 graves excavated by Dr. Webb were most likely
interred between 1764-1820. Historiographic data, oral traditions, and
information gained in consultation concerning the collection indicate
that the Colfax Ferry site (16-NA-15) is located in the area occupied
by the Pascagoula and Biloxi Indians during the late 18th and early
19th centuries. Descendants of the Pascagoula and Biloxi Indians are
represented by the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana.
Officials of the Williamson Museum have determined that, pursuant
to 25 U.S.C. 3001, Sec. 2 (3)(B), these 668 cultural items are
reasonably believed to have been placed with or near human remains at
the time of death as part of a death-rite or ceremony and are believed,
by a preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from burial
sites of Native American individuals. Officials of the Williamson
Museum also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001, Sec. 2
(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be
reasonably traced between these unassociated funerary objects and the
Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with these unassociated funerary objects
should contact Dr. Pete Gregory, Director, Williamson Museum,
Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA 71457, telephone (318)
357-4364, before January 22, 2003. Repatriation of these unassociated
funerary objects to the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana may
begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
The Williamson Museum is responsible for notifying the Tunica-
Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana that this notice has been published.
Dated: September 30, 2002.
Robert Stearns,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 02-32175 Filed 12-20-02; 8:45 am]
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