97-1068. Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains and an Unassociated Funerary Object from Norwich, CT, in the Possession of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 11 (Thursday, January 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2384-2385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1068]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and an Unassociated Funerary Object from Norwich, CT, in the Possession 
of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 
Cambridge, MA

AGENCY: National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 
3003 (d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains and an 
unassociated funerary object in the possession of the Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology professional staff in consultation 
with representatives of the Mohegan Indian Tribe of Connecticut.
    In 1922, human remains representing three individuals were 
recovered from the Norwich, CT area by W.K. Morehead of the Robert S. 
Peabody Museum. These human remains were received by the Peabody Museum 
of Archaeology and Ethnology as a gift from the Robert

[[Page 2385]]

S. Peabody Museum, Andover, MA in 1937. Mohegan oral tradition and 
historical documents indicate Norwich, CT area was a traditional 
Mohegan burial area. The condition of the human remains indicate 
internment during the contact period ca. 1600-1800 AD. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    In 1910, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology purchased 
a large collection of objects and human remains from Mr. James Eddy 
Mauran. Included in this collection is one projectile point which is 
described in the original accession records as having come from ``the 
Grave of Uncas, Sachem of the Mohegans'' in Norwich, CT. Evidence 
presented by Mohegan representatives indicates that projectile points 
were commonly included in burials as part of Mohegan funerary 
practices. The Mohegan representatives also state that because ninety-
eight percent of Mohegan tribal members are descended from Uncas, no 
single lineal descendent can be identified.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology have determined that, pursuant to 
43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the 
physical remains of three individuals of Native American ancestry. 
Officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology have 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(B), this cultural item 
is 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 and is believed, by a preponderance of the evidence, to 
have been removed from a specific burial site of a Native American 
individual. Lastly, officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and 
Ethnology have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there 
is a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably 
traced between these Native American human remains and unassociated 
funerary object and the Mohegan Indian Tribe of Connecticut.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Mohegan Indian Tribe 
of Connecticut. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and 
unassociated funerary object should contact Ms. Barbara Issac, 
Repatriation Coordinator, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, 
Harvard University, 11 Divinity Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138; telephone 
[phone], before February 18, 1997. Repatriation of the human 
remains and the unassociated funerary object to the Mohegan Indian 
Tribe of Connecticut may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.
Dated: December 17, 1996.
Veletta Canouts,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Deputy Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-1068 Filed 1-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F