90 FR 130 pg. 30673 - Notice of Inventory Completion: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Type: NOTICEVolume: 90Number: 130Page: 30673
Page: 30673Docket number: [NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0040472; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2025-12826 Filed 7-9-25; 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-NPS0040472; 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 human remains and associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
DATES:
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice may occur on or after August 11, 2025.
ADDRESSES:
Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice to Zachary Garrett, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 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 SNOMNH, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in its inventory or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
Abstract of Information Available
Human remains representing, at least, two individuals have been identified. The three associated funerary objects are one lot of wood coffin fragments, and two lots of metal nails. These individuals and associated funerary objects were removed from the Eufaula Mound site (34Mi45), also known as the Groseclose site, in McIntosh County, OK. Following extensive damage to the site from agricultural activities and looting, excavations were carried out by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during May-August 1940. The site was later flooded following the construction of the Eufaula Dam in 1964. Collections removed during the excavations were split between the Creek Memorial Museum (now known as the Creek Nation Council House) and SNOMNH. This site has both pre-contact and historic components. This notice includes only the later, historic period component of 34Mi45. These individuals and associated funerary objects were interred around 1860-1890 CE. Cultural affiliation was determined through Tribal consultation and included consideration of archaeological, geographic, and historical information. To our knowledge, no potentially hazardous materials were used to treat the human remains or associated funerary objects.
Cultural Affiliation
Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is clearly identified by the information available about the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice.
Determinations
SNOMNH has determined that:
• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of two individuals of Native American ancestry.
• The three objects described in this notice are 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 human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice and The Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Requests for Repatriation
Written requests for repatriation of the human remains and 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.
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after August 11, 2025. If competing requests for repatriation are received, SNOMNH must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects are considered a single request and not competing requests. SNOMNH is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and any other consulting parties.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.
Dated: June 25, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-12826 Filed 7-9-25; 8:45 am]
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