[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 15, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 8733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3687]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects from the Titicut Site in Bridgewater,
MA in the Possession of the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology,
Andover, 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, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d), of
completion of the inventory of human remains and associated funerary
objects, presently in the possession of the Robert S. Peabody Museum of
Archaeology, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA, from the Titicut Site in
Bridgewater, MA.
A detailed inventory and assessment of these human remains has been
made by the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology. Human remains of
one individual, a ten to twelve year old female, were recovered in 1947
from the Titicut site. This site is believed to have been occupied for
several thousand years prior to European Contact. The human remains
were recovered with glass and shell beads, a felsite biface, an iron
axe, awl, and knife handle, a large ceramic vessel, several antler
spoons and hafts, and several whelk shells. The burial can be dated
between 1600 and 1620, based on the European trade items recovered with
the individual. This site is located within the aboriginal territory of
the Wampanoag Tribe at the time of European contact.
Based on the available archaeological and ethnohistorical evidence,
as well as the geographical and oral tradition of the Wampanoag people,
officials of the Robert S. Peabody Museum 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 human remains and
associated funerary objects from the Titicut Site and the Wampanoag
people. The nearest group of identifiable Wampanoag people are located
in Mashpee, MA. The Federally recognized Gay Head Wampanoag concur that
Mashpee is the closest community of Wampanoag people to be identified
with the Titicut Site. However, the Mashpee Wampanoag are not
recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided
by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
Since the Mashpee Wampanoag are not Federally-recognized, the
Robert S. Peabody Museum included these remains and associated funerary
objects on an inventory of ``culturally unidentifiable'' human remains
and requested the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation
Act Review Committee's recommendation as to their disposition.
On December 21, 1994, officials of the Robert S. Peabody Museum
were formally notified of the recommendation from the Review Committee
stating that, ``(A)fter careful consideration of the evidence provided
in your letter and in testimony at their most recent meeting, the
Review Committee recommends that the Robert S. Peabody Museum of
Archaeology proceed to repatriate the above mentioned human remains and
associated funerary objects to the Mashpee Wampanoag.''
This notice has been sent to officials of the Mashpee Wampanoag
Tribe. Representatives of any other Indian tribe which believes itself
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated
funerary objects should contact James W. Bradley, Director of the
Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA
01810; telephone: (508) 749-4490, before March 17, 1995. Repatriation
of these human remains and associated funerary objects to the Mashpee
Wampanoag Tribe may begin after that date if no additional claimants
come forward.
Dated: February 9, 1995
Francis P. McManamon
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Chief, Archeological Assistance Division
[FR Doc. 95-3687 Filed 2-14-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
