Native American human remains and associated funerary objects: Kansas State Historical Society, KS— Anchorage, Laboratory of Anthropology, AK; inventory from Alaska,

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Federal Register: August 26, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 165)NoticesPage 46717-46719From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr26au99-118

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects from Alaska in the Possession of the Laboratory of Anthropology, University of Alaska-Anchorage, Anchorage, AK

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 Laboratory of Anthropology, University of Alaska-Anchorage, Anchorage, AK.

A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Laboratory of Anthropology, University of Alaska-Anchorage professional staff in consultation with representatives of Chugach Alaska Corporation, the Chugach Heritage Foundation, the Cook Inlet Region, Inc. Foundation, and the Kenaitze Indian Tribe.

In 1974, human remains representing a minimum of 23 individuals were recovered at the Cottonwood Creek site (SEL 030) on the north shore of Kachemak Bay, south-central Alaska during archeological excavations conducted by Alaska Methodist University and the Anchorage Community College. No known individuals were identified. The 3,200 associated funerary objects include bone and shell beads, labrets, two bone knives, two diamond-shaped artificial eyes, a tiny bone inlay, and an edged slate scrap.

Based on the associated funerary objects; radiocarbon dating of the site; and manner of interment unique to the time period, these burials are estimated to date to between 2,000 and 1,500 years ago. Based on these dates, the Cottonwood Creek site has been identified as a late- stage Kachemak Tradition occupation.

In 1974, human remains representing a minimum of four individuals were recovered from the Chugachik Island site (SEL 033) on Chugachik Island during a test excavation conducted by Alaska Methodist University and the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks, Office of History and Archeology. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects were present.

In 1977, human remains representing a minimum of 13 individuals were

[Page 46718]recovered from the Chugachik Island site (SEL 033) during archeological excavations conducted by the University of Alaska-Anchorage and Anchorage Community College. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

In 1980, human remains representing a minimum of one individual were removed from an eroding midden face at the Chugachik Island site (SEL 033) by a unknown visitor and donated to the Laboratory of Anthropology, University of Alaska, Anchorage. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

In 1981, human remains representing up to 45 individuals were recovered from the Chugachik Island site (SEL 033) during archeological excavations conducted by the University of Alaska-Anchorage and Anchorage Community College. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

In 1982, human remains representing a minimum of three individuals were recovered from the Chugachik Island site (SEL 033) and an associated beach front by Peter Zollars under the supervision of the University of Alaska-Anchorage. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

In 1984, human remains representing one individual were recovered from the Chugachik Island site (SEL 033) by Peter Zollars under the supervision of the University of Alaska-Anchorage. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects were present.

In 1995, human remains representing a minimum of four individuals were recovered from the Chugachik Island site (SEL033) by a local resident. No known individuals were identified. The one associated funerary object is a birdbone tube cut at both ends.

At an unknown date, human remains representing one individual from a beach at the Chugachik Island site (SEL033) were recovered by an unknown person and donated to the University of Alaska-Anchorage. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

Based on radiocarbon dating, burial practices, intentionally modified human remains, and material culture, the Chugachik Island site has been identified as a Kachemak Tradition occupation dating to between 2400 to 1500 years ago.

In 1977, human remains representing one individual were recovered from the Yukon Island Fox Farm site (SEL041) on Yukon Island during excavations under the direction of William Workman (University of Alaska-Anchorage) and John Lobdell (Anchorage Community College). No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects were present.

In 1978, human remains representing one individual were recovered from the Yukon Island Fox Farm site (SEL041) during a house pit trench excavation conducted by Frederica De Laguna and Karen Workman which included this disturbed burial in slough deposits. No known individual was identified. In 1993, three associated funerary objects were recovered from this burial and consist of a whalebone dagger and two barbed darts.

In 1985, human remains representing a minimum of one individual were recovered from the Yukon Island Fox Farm site (SEL041) during excavations conducted by Peter Zollars. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

In 1986, human remains representing a minimum of three individuals were recovered from the Yukon Island Fox Farm site (SEL041) during excavations conducted by Peter Zollars. No known individual was identified. The one associated funerary object is a hammerstone.

In 1987, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals were recovered from the Yukon Island Fox Farm site (SEL041) during excavations conducted by William Workman (University of Alaska- Anchorage) and Peter Zollars. No known individuals were identified. The ten associated funerary objects include a porpoise skull and other non- human bones.

In 1978, human remains representing a minimum of one individual were recovered from preserved buried beach deposits at the Great Midden site (SEL001) on Yukon Island during excavations conducted by John Lobdell of Anchorage Community College and Frederica De Laguna. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

Based on radiocarbon dating and material culture, the Yukon Island Fox Farm site and the Great Midden site have been identified as Kachemak Tradition occupation dating to 1500--3000 years ago.

In 1984, human remains representing a minimum of one individual were collected from a burial eroding down a steep slope at the front of the North Bluff site on Yukon Island by William Workman of the University of Alaska-Anchorage. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

This site has not been investigated, however, a late Kachemak Tradition provenance seems likely based on the considerable depth of the exposed cultural deposits.

In 1978, human remains representing a minimum of three individuals were collected from an eroding midden site on Neptune Bay, Kachemak Bay by University of Alaska-Anchorage and Anchorage Community College archeologists. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

This site on Neptune Bay has not been investigated, however, a late Kachemak Tradition provenance seems likely based on the considerable depth of the exposed cultural deposits.

Although the people of the Kachemak Tradition withdrew from Kachemak Bay no later than around 1,000 years ago, they were closely related in biology and culture to contemporary Kachemak Tradition people in the Kodiak Archipelago, with whom it is probable that they amalgamated. The Kodiak version of the Kachemak Tradition has been clearly documented by detailed archeological study of cultural material from a number of archeological sites and human biological study of several hundred human remains as the primary cultural and biological ancestor of the contemporary Alutiiq people of the Kodiak Archipelago and adjacent areas. The Kachemak Bay manifestation of the Kachemak Tradition should thus be viewed as a regional expression of ancestral Alutiiq or Pacific Eskimo culture, a complex long-enduring (at least 3,800 years) regional mosaic of cultural patterns with living descendents in the Kodiak archipelago, Prince William Sound, and elsewhere in south central Alaska.

Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the University of Alaska-Anchorage have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of 108 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the University of Alaska-Anchorage have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the approximately 3,215 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 University of Alaska-Anchorage 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 Chugach Alaska Corporation, the Native Village of Port Graham, the Native Village of Nanwalek

[Page 46719](aka English Bay), and the Seldovia Village Tribe.

This notice has been sent to officials of the Chugach Alaska Corporation, the Chugach Heritage Foundation, the Cook Inlet Region, Inc. Foundation, the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, the Native Village of Port Graham, the Native Village of Nanwalek (aka English Bay), and the Seldovia Village Tribe. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact Professor William Workman, Department of Anthropology, University of Alaska-Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508; telephone: (907) 789-6842, before September 27, 1999. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Chugach Alaska Corporation on behalf of the Native Village of Port Graham, the Native Village of Nanwalek (aka English Bay), and the Seldovia Village Tribe may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Dated: August 10, 1999. Richard Waldbauer, Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Archeology and Ethnography Program.

FR Doc. 99-22167Filed8-25-99; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 4310-70-F

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