[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 45 (Monday, March 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11452-11453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5918]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects from Westerly, RI in the Possession of
the Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence, RI
AGENCY: National Park Service.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
[[Page 11453]]
remains and associated funerary objects from Westerly, RI in the
possession of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence, RI.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Rhode Island
Historical Society, Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, and the Public
Archaeology Lab professional staffs in consultation with
representatives of Narragansett Indian Tribe.
In 1835, human remains representing one individual (a hair lock)
were recovered from a railhead site in Westerly, RI and sold to the
Rhode Island Historical Society by Mr. Chesebrough. No known
individuals were identified. The three associated funerary objects
include a string of beads, wampum, and a wampum shell bracelet.
Based on funerary objects, this railhead site has been determined
to be a Narragansett burial site during the historic period
(approximately 16th century until the late 1600s). Historical documents
and archeological evidence indicates this area was occupied by the
Narragansett Indian Tribe during this period.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Rhode
Island Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains
of one individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Rhode
Island Historical Society have also determined that, pursuant to 25
U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the three 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 Rhode Island Historical Society 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 associated funerary
objects and the Narragansett Indian Tribe.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Narragansett Indian
Tribe. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated
funerary objects should contact Linda Eppich, Curator, or Albert T.
Klyberg, Director, Rhode Island Historical Society, 110 Benevolent St.,
Providence, RI 02906, telephone (401) 331-8575, before April 8, 1998.
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects to
the Narragansett Indian Tribe may begin after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.
The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations
within this notice.
Dated: March 3, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-5918 Filed 3-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
