90 FR 122 pgs. 27665-27666 - Notice of Inventory Completion: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Type: NOTICEVolume: 90Number: 122Pages: 27665 - 27666
Pages: 27665, 27666Docket number: [NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0040446; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2025-11926 Filed 6-26-25; 8:45 am]
Agency: Interior Department
Sub Agency: National Park Service
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0040446; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
AGENCY:
National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (SNOMNH) has completed an inventory of associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
DATES:
Repatriation of the associated funerary objects in this notice may occur on or after July 28, 2025.
ADDRESSES:
Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice to Zachary Garrett, NAGPRA Program Coordinator, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, 2401 Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK 73072-7029, email zacgarrett@ou.edu.
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 the SNOMNH, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the inventory or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
Abstract of Information Available
Based on the information available, one associated funerary object was removed from the Moore site (34Lf31) in LeFlore County, OK. The one associated funerary object is one lot of ceramic vessels. This site is located approximately two miles north of the town of Spiro, OK, and within the floodplain of the Arkansas River. It was initially discovered-and severely disturbed-by a railroad that cut through the site in 1885 and was later impacted by extensive farming activities and looting. In 1938 and 1939, excavations were carried out by the Works Progress Administration, and the University of Oklahoma conducted additional salvage excavations in 1969. The associated finds were transferred to SNOMNH following each excavation season. This funerary object was likely interred during the Fort Coffee phase (1450-1650 CE). Cultural affiliation was determined through Tribal consultation, and included consideration of anthropological, archeological, geographical, and historical information. To our knowledge, no potentially hazardous materials were used to treat the associated funerary object. This list of objects is an addition to the group of associated funerary objects previously identified in a Notice of Inventory Completion published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2023 (88 FR 87803).
Cultural Affiliation
Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is clearly identified by the information available about the associated funerary objects described in this notice.
Determinations
SNOMNH has determined that:
• The one object described in this notice is 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 associated funerary object described in this notice and the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco, & Tawakonie), Oklahoma.
Requests for Repatriation
Written requests for repatriation of the 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.
[top] Repatriation of the associated funerary objects described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after July 28, 2025. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the SNOMNH must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the associated funerary objects are considered a single
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.
Dated: June 17, 2025
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-11926 Filed 6-26-25; 8:45 am]
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