Notice of Inventory Completion: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (Museum) at the University of Oklahoma has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a written request to the Museum. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES:

Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a written request with information in support of the request to the Museum at the address in this notice by August 5, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Marc Levine, Associate Curator of Archaeology, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, 2401 Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK 73072-7029, telephone (405) 325-1994, email mlevine@ou.edu.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects under the control of the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from Marshall County, OK.

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Consultation

A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History professional staff in consultation with representatives of The Chickasaw Nation and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

History and Description of the Remains

On April 2, 1942, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed from the Wheeler Farm site (34Ma23) in Marshall County, OK. The site was excavated by the Works Progress Administration under the direction of the University of Oklahoma, and the excavated materials were transferred to the Museum the same year. The human remains include a complete skeleton, probably male, 35-50 years old. No known individual was identified. The 77 associated funerary objects are: One historic coarse earthenware vessel, one ceramic pipe, 36 faunal bones, two brass hooks with small leather fragments of a firearm holster, three brass rivets, nine brass buttons, one brass small rivet with leather fragments still attached, two unidentified brass fragments, five iron buckles, three iron 4-holed buttons, one unidentified iron fragment, one iron butcher knife, one iron muzzle loading pistol, one iron ramrod for the pistol, one iron screw, one iron spoon (found inside the vessel), and eight leather fragments.

The Wheeler Farm Site is Historic in age (1830s-1870s). The site has been determined to be culturally affiliated with The Chickasaw Nation and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, based on the location of the site, associated diagnostic cultural materials, historical documentation, and information provided by the consulting Indian Tribes.

Determinations Made by the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History

Officials of the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History have determined that:

• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 77 objects described in this notice 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.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the Native American human remains and associated funerary objects The Chickasaw Nation and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a written request with information in support of the request to Dr. Marc Levine, Associate Curator of Archaeology, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, 2401 Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK 73072-7029, telephone (405) 325-1994, email mlevine@ou.edu, by August 5, 2021. After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to The Chickasaw Nation and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma may proceed.

The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is responsible for notifying The Chickasaw Nation and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma that this notice has been published.