2021-27363. Notice of Inventory Completion: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University has completed an inventory of 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 associated funerary object 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 this associated funerary object should submit a written request to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the associated funerary object 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 this associated funerary object should submit a written request with information in support of the request to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at the address in this notice by January 18, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

Patricia Capone, Curator and NAGPRA Director, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

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 associated funerary objects under the control of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. The associated funerary object was removed from De Soto County, MS.

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 associated funerary object. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Consultation

A detailed assessment of the associated funerary object was made by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; The Chickasaw Nation; The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma (hereafter referred to as “The Consulted Tribes”).

History and Description of the Associated Funerary Object

Sometime prior to 1887, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed from the mound at the Lake Cormorant Site (22Ds501), in DeSoto County, MS, by F. H. Bierbower. In 1887, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology purchased these human remains from Mr. Bierbower. The human remains from this site were previously listed in a Notice of Inventory Completion published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2018 (83 FR 65724-65725, December 21, 2018) and transferred to The Chickasaw Nation.

The one associated funerary object is a chipped flint projectile point.

Determinations Made by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University

Officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University have determined that:

• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the one object described in this notice 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.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), a relationship of shared group identity cannot be reasonably traced between the associated funerary object and any present-day Indian Tribe.
• According to final judgments of the Indian Claims Commission or the Court of Federal Claims, Treaties, Acts of Congress, or Executive Orders, the land from which the associated funerary object was removed is the aboriginal land of The Chickasaw Nation.
• Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the disposition of the associated funerary object may be to The Chickasaw Nation.

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 the associated funerary object should submit a written request with information in support of the request to Patricia Capone, Curator and NAGPRA Director, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, telephone [phone], email [e-mail], by January 18, 2022. After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the associated funerary object to The Chickasaw Nation may proceed.

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University is responsible for notifying The Consulted Tribes that this notice has been published.

Dated: December 10, 2021.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.