[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 82 (Friday, April 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18623-18624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10346]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Rome
Historical Society, Rome, NY
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
associated funerary objects in the possession of the Rome Historical
Society, Rome, NY.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Rome
Historical Society professional staff and Hartgen Archeological
Associates, Inc. professional staff in consultation with
representatives of the Onondaga Indian Nation.
In the early 1960s, human remains representing 85 individuals were
recovered from the Onondaga County Penitentiary Site (Pen Site) in
Jamesville, NY under a Fort Stanwix Museum (now Rome Historical
Society) and Rochester Museum of Science project. No known individuals
were identified. The 598 associated funerary objects include pottery,
metal and stone tools, metal pots, beads, shell (wampum), silver
(ornaments, bracelets, earrings). The Rochester Museum of Science has
additional human remains and associated funerary objects from the Pen
Site, and is conducting a separate inventory and consultation for these
human remains and associated funerary objects.
The Penn Site has been well-documented as the Onondaga Nation's
capitol from c. 1682-1696 AD. The manner of internment and associated
funerary objects are consistent with Onondaga practice during the late
seventeenth century. Evidence presented by representatives of the
Onondaga Indian Nation support the physical evidence.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Rome
Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains
of 85 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Rome
Historical Society have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C.
3001 (3)(A), the 598 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 Rome Historical Society have determined that, pursuant
[[Page 18624]]
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 Onondaga Indian Nation.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Onondaga Indian
Nation. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated
funerary objects should contact Barbara L. Schafer, Curator of
Collections, Rome Historical Society, 200 Church Street, Rome, NY
13440; telephone: (315) 336-5870, before May 28, 1996. Repatriation of
the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Onondaga
Indian Nation may begin after that date if no additional claimants come
forward.
Dated: April 22, 1996
Francis P. McManamon
Departmental Consulting Archeologist
Chief, Archeology & Ethnography Program
[FR Doc. 96-10346 Filed 4-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
