2022-10265. 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 human remains, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a written request to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES:

Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains 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 June 13, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Patricia Capone, Curator and NAGPRA Director, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, 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 human remains under the control of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. The human remains were removed from an unknown location.

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native American human remains. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Consultation

A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology professional staff in consultation with representatives of The Chickasaw Nation.

History and Description of the Remains

At an unknown time, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed from an unknown location. These human remains were originally part of the American Institute of Phrenology (formerly the American Craniological Museum). The collection of the American Institute of Phrenology was donated to the American Museum of Natural History in the late 1920s by Jessie Y. Loomis in the name of Ernest Yates Loomis. In 1932, these human remains were transferred to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology as part of an exchange with the American Museum of Natural History. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

Osteological characteristics indicate that, more likely than not, these human remains are Native American. Furthermore, museum documentation describes the human remains as a “Chickasaw Indian.” This specific cultural attribution suggests that these human remains likely date to the Contact period. Consequently, a preponderance of the evidence shows that a relationship of shared group identity exists between The Chickasaw Nation and the earlier group to which these Native American human remains belong.

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(9), the human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the Native American human remains and The Chickasaw Nation.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains 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, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, telephone [phone], email [e-mail], by June 13, 2022. After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to The Chickasaw Nation may proceed.

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

Dated: May 4, 2022.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.