[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 52524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25368]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Sydney L.
Wright Museum, Jamestown, RI
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9,
of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated
funerary objects in the possession of the Sydney L. Wright Museum,
Jamestown, RI.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Sydney L.
Wright Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives
of the Narragansett Indian Tribe.
During 1966-1967, human remains representing 36 individuals were
excavated from the West Ferry site by Dr. William Simmons. No known
individuals were identified. The 173 associated funerary objects
include ceramics, glass beads, tools, cooking utensils, jewelry,
thimbles, iron trade artifacts, brass plates, projectile points, powder
horns, cloth fragments, and matting fragments.
Based on the associated funerary objects, these individuals have
been identified as Native American. Based on manner of interment and
types of associated funerary objects, the West Ferry site has been
identified as a historic Narragansett burial site and ancestral
Narragansett burial site. The presence of red ochre and bowls in both
the historic and Archaic burials indicate continuities of tradition
through time.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Sydney
L. Wright Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1),
the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of 36
individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Sydney L.
Wright Museum have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2
(d)(2), the 173 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 Sydney L. Wright Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR
10.2 (e), 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 Narragensett Indian Tribe.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Narragansett Indian
Tribe. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated
funerary objects should contact Stephen C. Baker, Sydney L. Wright
Museum, Jamestown Philomerian Library, 26 North Road, Jamestown, RI
02835-1438; telephone: (401) 423-7281, before October 29, 1999.
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects to
the Narragansett Indian Tribe may begin after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.
Dated: September 24, 1999.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 99-25368 Filed 9-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
