[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 210 (Friday, October 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58417-58418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29093]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Peabody Museum
of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA and the
Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, MA
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9,
of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated
funerary objects in the possession of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology
and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA and the Plimoth
Plantation, Plymouth, MA.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Peabody
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and Plimoth Plantation professional
staff in consultation with representatives of the Wampanoag
Repatriation Confederation on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay
Head; and the Mashpee Wampanoag and the Assonet Band of the Wampanoag
Nation, two non-Federally recognized Indian groups.
In 1934, human remains representing two individuals were recovered
in Plymouth, MA by Henry and Ralph Hornblower and Jesse Brewer on
property owned by the Hornblowers adjacent to the Eel River. Also in
1934, these human remains were transferred to the Peabody Museum of
Archaeology and Ethnology. No known individuals were identified. The
five associated funerary objects include a triangular brass projectile
point with attached sinew, a box of yellow ochre, a Native-made ceramic
sherd, and two bark containers. During the 1950s, these objects were
donated to the Plimoth Plantation by Harry Hornblower.
The documentation associated with the objects indicates these
objects were associated with the human remains from the Hornblower
property at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Based on
the presence of the brass projectile point, the burials have been
estimated to date to the early historic period or later, post 1600 A.D.
Historic documents (including the 1606 Champlain Map of Port Saint
Louis) and oral tradition indicate the presence of Wampanoag in this
area during this time. The Eel River in Plymouth, MA is located within
the traditional territory of the Wampanoag during the early historic
period.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Peabody
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the Plimoth Plantation have
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains
listed above represent the physical remains of two individuals of
Native American ancestry. Officials of the Peabody Museum of
Archaeology and Ethnology and the Plimoth Plantation have also
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the five objects
listed above 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. Lastly, officials of the Peabody Museum of
Archaeology and Ethnology and the Plimoth Plantation have determined
that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared
group identity which can be reasonably traced between these Native
American human remains and associated funerary objects and the
Wampanoag Repatriation Confederation on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe
of Gay Head; and the Mashpee Wampanoag and the Assonet Band of the
Wampanoag Nation, two non-Federally recognized Indian groups.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Wampanoag
Repatriation Confederation on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay
Head; and the
[[Page 58418]]
Mashpee Wampanoag and the Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation, two
non-Federally recognized Indian groups. Representatives of any other
Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with
these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact
Barbara Isaac, Repatriation Coordinator, Peabody Museum of Archaeology
and Ethnology, 11 Divinity Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138; telephone: (617)
496-2254; and/or Karin Goldstein, Curator of Original Collections,
Plimoth Plantation, PO Box 1620, Plymouth, MA 02362; telephone (508)
746-1622, ext. 379, before November 30, 1998. Repatriation of the human
remains and associated funerary objects to the Wampanoag Repatriation
Confederation on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head; and the
Mashpee Wampanoag and the Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation, two
non-Federally recognized Indian groups may begin after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.
Dated: October 22, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-29093 Filed 10-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
