97-22735. Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession of the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL

[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: [phone], 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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