Notices. Notice
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/register/2025/07/29/2025-14278·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [N6358; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0040615; 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 August 28, 2025. ADDRESSES: Send written requests for repatriation of the associated funerary objects in this notice to Zachary Garrett, 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 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 Three associated funerary objects were removed from the Eufaula Mound site (34Mi45), also known as the Groseclose site, in McIntosh County, OK.
The three associated funerary objects are one lot of ceramic sherds, one lot of red ochre, and one lot of stone pipes. The site lies at the confluence of the North Canadian and Canadian Rivers, approximately 80 kilometers west of Spiro Mounds. Following extensive damage to the site from agricultural activities and looting, excavations were carried out by the Works Progress Administration in 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 objects from the pre-contact component. These associated funerary objects were most likely interred during the local Harlan through early Norman phases (1100-1300 CE) of the Mississippian Period. Cultural affiliation was established through Tribal Consultation, and is supported by archaeological information, ethnographic information, ethnohistorical information, and tribal oral histories.
To our knowledge, no potentially hazardous materials were used to treat the associated funerary objects. 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 January 27, 2020 (85 FR 4700). 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 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 associated funerary objects 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. Repatriation of the associated funerary objects described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after August 28, 2025.
If competing requests for repatriation are received, SNOMNH must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the 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: July 9, 2025. Melanie O'Brien, Manager, National NAGPRA Program. [FR Doc. 2025-14278 Filed 7-28-25; 8:45 am]
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- 43 CFR 10.10
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