Notices. Notice
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/register/2025/12/17/2025-23005A 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 [N6660; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041397; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000] Notice of Inventory Completion: Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Mercyhurst University has completed an inventory of human remains and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the human remains in this notice may occur on or after January 16, 2026. ADDRESSES: Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains in this notice to Anne Marjenin, Mercyhurst University, 501 East 38th Street, Erie, PA 16546, email *nagpra@mercyhurst.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 Mercyhurst University, 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, one individual have been identified. No associated funerary objects are present. On April 16, 1961, the individual (VM-071) was removed from Adairville Cave located near the town of Adairville, Logan County, Kentucky. The individual was removed by Raymond C. Vietzen (1907-1995). While there is no record regarding potentially hazardous substances having been used to treat the human remains, an unidentified adhesive is present.
It is unknown when the adhesive was applied. A residue, likely from tape, is also present. Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been identified. No associated funerary objects are present. The individual (KY-LO-TIN-0001) was removed from a rockshelter at “Lost City” in Lewisburg, Logan County, Kentucky, by Raymond C. Vietzen (1907-1995). The individual was likely removed in the late 1930s or the 1940s. While there is no record regarding potentially hazardous substances having been used to treat the human remains, an unidentified adhesive is present.
It is unknown when the adhesive was applied. Vietzen, an avocational archaeologist, collector, and author, established the Indian Ridge Museum in Elyria, Ohio, and the Archaeological Society of Ohio (formerly the Ohio Indian Relic Collectors Society). The Indian Ridge Museum, founded in the 1930s, served as Vietzen's laboratory and repository, and it remained in operation until the mid-1990s. After Vietzen's death, the facility fell into disrepair, and most of the items he had acquired and housed at the museum were sold.
In 1998, the Ohio Historical Society (presently the Ohio History Connection) removed ancestral human remains and some of the remaining items from the facility and temporarily housed them at the Ohio Historical Society. In October of 2003, these remains were transferred from the Ohio Historical Society to Mercyhurst College (presently Mercyhurst University). Cultural Affiliation Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is reasonably identified by the geographical location or acquisition history of the human remains described in this notice.
Determinations Mercyhurst University has determined that: • The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of two individuals of Native American ancestry. • There is a connection between the human remains described in this notice and the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; Shawnee Tribe; The Osage Nation; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
Requests for Repatriation Written requests for repatriation of the human remains 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 described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after January 16, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, Mercyhurst University must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains are considered a single request and not competing requests. Mercyhurst University 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: November 21, 2025. Melanie O'Brien, Manager, National NAGPRA Program. [FR Doc. 2025-23005 Filed 12-16-25; 8:45 am]
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- 43 CFR 10.10
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