98-18689. Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items From Taunton, MA in the Possession of the Robbins Museum of Archaeology, Middleboro, MA

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 37906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18689]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items From Taunton, MA in 
the Possession of the Robbins Museum of Archaeology, Middleboro, MA

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), of the intent to repatriate 
cultural items from Taunton, MA in the possession of the Robbins Museum 
of Archaeology, Middleboro, MA which meet the definition of 
``unassociated funerary objects'' under Section 2 of the Act.
    The cultural items consist of a small castellated pot and a copper 
or brass sheet metal spoon.
    In 1952, Maurice Robbins removed these cultural items from a burial 
at the Wampanucket site, Taunton and Lakeville, MA. In 1985, Mr. 
Robbins donated these items to the Robbins Museum of Archaeology.
    Based on continuities of material culture and manner of interments, 
the Wampanucket site has been identified as a Wampanoag cemetery area 
used from the early Woodland period into the early postcontact period. 
Consultation with representatives of the Wampanoag Repatriation 
Confederacy indicate these cultural items are consistent with 
traditional Wampanoag burial practices.
    Officials of the Robbins Museum of Archaeology have determined 
that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2)(ii), these two cultural items 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 and are believed, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have 
been removed from a specific burial site of an Native American 
individual. Officials of the Robbins Museum of Archaeology have also 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship 
of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between these 
items and the Wampanoag Repatriation Confederacy on behalf of the 
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Wampanoag 
Repatriation Confederacy on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head 
(Aquinnah). Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these objects should contact 
John Pretola, c/o Robbins Museum of Archaeology, P.O. Box 700, 
Middleboro, MA 2346099005; telephone [phone] before August 13, 
1998. Repatriation of these objects to the Wampanoag Repatriation 
Confederacy on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) may 
begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: July 8, 1998.
Veletta Canouts,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Deputy Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-18689 Filed 7-13-98; 8:45 am]
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