Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The University of Michigan (UMMAA) 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 no cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and any present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. 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 University of Michigan. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES:

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 University of Michigan at the address in this notice by October 24, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

Dr. Ben Secunda, NAGPRA Project Manager, University of Michigan, Office of the Vice President for Research, 4080 Fleming Building, 503 South Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340, telephone (734) 647-9085, email bsecunda@umich.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 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from the Wickcliffe Mounds (15.0001/15BA4) site, Ballard County, KY.

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3) and 43 CFR 10.11(d). 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 University of Michigan professional staff in consultation with representatives of The Chickasaw Nation and The Quapaw Tribe of Indians (hereafter referred to as “The Tribes”).

History and Description of the Human Remains

Between 1932 and 1935, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals were removed from the Wickcliffe Mounds site (15.0001/15BA4) in Ballard County, KY. The site is located near the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Between 1932 and 1939, an amateur collector conducted extensive excavations in the area. On June 2, 1933, the collector donated to the UMMAA ceramic sherds noted as coming from burials. Human remains from the site were donated by the collector to the UMMAA in May of 1935. UMMAA records for these collections and their excavation are minimal. The two individuals are one adult of indeterminate age and sex with a possible underlying infection, and one perinate child. The burials have been dated to the Mississippian Period (A.D. 1000-1400) based on the associated funerary objects and chronometric dating. No known individuals were identified. The eight associated funerary objects are five lots of ceramic sherds, two lots of shell-tempered ceramic sherds, and one lot of various archeological materials comprised of ceramic sherds, a possible lithic scraper, and a lithic flake.

Determinations Made by the University of Michigan

Officials of the University of Michigan have determined that:

• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described in this notice are Native American based on accession documentation and archeological context.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of two individuals of Native American ancestry.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the eight 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), a relationship of shared group identity cannot be reasonably traced between the Native American human remains and associated funerary objects and any present-day Indian Tribe.
• According to final judgments of the Indian Claims Commission or the Court of Federal Claims, the land from which the Native American human remains and associated funerary objects were removed is the aboriginal land of The Chickasaw Nation.
• Treaties, Acts of Congress, or Executive Orders, indicate that the land from which the Native American human remains and associated funerary objects were removed is the aboriginal land of The Tribes.
• Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the disposition of the human remains and associated funerary objects may be to The Tribes.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

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. Ben Secunda, NAGPRA Project Manager, University of Michigan, Office of the Vice President for Research, 4080 Fleming Building, 503 South Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340, telephone (734) 647-9085, email bsecunda@umich.edu, by October 24, 2019. After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to The Tribes may proceed.

The University of Michigan is responsible for notifying The Tribes that this notice has been published.