[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 166 (Wednesday, August 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 45440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22735]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession
of the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection
and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3005 (a)(2), of the intent to
repatriate cultural items in the possession of the Field Museum of
Natural History which meet the definition of ``sacred object'' under
Section 2 of the Act.
The cultural items consist of a stone mortar with a concave
indentation on one side, a small basketry ``hopper'' with a geometric
design covered with pitch which fits on top of the stone mortar, and a
smooth stone pestle. The basketry is a coiled weave with white sewing
of sumac, mottled sewing of bullrush, and black sewing of an unknown
fiber. These items are collectively catalogued as a basketry medicine
mortar (Accession 1490; Catalogue number 103496).
In 1923, these items were acquired by the Field Museum from Homer
E. Sargent. In 1913, Mr. Sargent purchased these items from Ernest Juan
who collected them at ``San Manuel and Banning.'' The items are
affiliated with the Serrano.
The form of these objects, their source, and the documentation
concerning its acquisition lead the Museum to believe that they
comprise a Serrano medicine mortar. Representatives of the San Manuel
Mission Band of Indians (Serrano) have verified this identification and
have stated that these objects are needed by traditional Native
American religious leaders for the practice of traditional Native
American religions by their present-day adherents.
Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Field
Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), these
three cultural items are specific ceremonial objects needed by
traditional Native American religious leaders for the practice of
traditional Native American religions by their present-day adherents.
Officials of the Field Museum have also 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 items and the San Manuel Band of
Mission Indians. Although officials of the Field Museum recognize the
significant importance of these cultural items to the San Manuel Band
of Mission Indians, the Field Museum asserts that it has right of
possession of these cultural items. However, the Field Museum is
willing to return the mortar under a compromise repatriation claim.
This notice has been sent to officials of the San Manuel Band of
Mission Indians. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these objects should
contact Jonathan Haas, MacArthur Curator of North American
Anthropology, Field Museum of Natural History, Roosevelt Road at Lake
Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605; telephone: (312) 922-9410, ext. 641,
before September 26, 1997. Repatriation of these objects to the San
Manuel Band of Mission Indians 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: August 14, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-22735 Filed 8-26-97; 8:45 am]
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