[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 82 (Friday, April 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18623-18624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10346]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Rome 
Historical Society, Rome, NY

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 
3003(d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains and 
associated funerary objects in the possession of the Rome Historical 
Society, Rome, NY.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Rome 
Historical Society professional staff and Hartgen Archeological 
Associates, Inc. professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Onondaga Indian Nation.
    In the early 1960s, human remains representing 85 individuals were 
recovered from the Onondaga County Penitentiary Site (Pen Site) in 
Jamesville, NY under a Fort Stanwix Museum (now Rome Historical 
Society) and Rochester Museum of Science project. No known individuals 
were identified. The 598 associated funerary objects include pottery, 
metal and stone tools, metal pots, beads, shell (wampum), silver 
(ornaments, bracelets, earrings). The Rochester Museum of Science has 
additional human remains and associated funerary objects from the Pen 
Site, and is conducting a separate inventory and consultation for these 
human remains and associated funerary objects.
    The Penn Site has been well-documented as the Onondaga Nation's 
capitol from c. 1682-1696 AD. The manner of internment and associated 
funerary objects are consistent with Onondaga practice during the late 
seventeenth century. Evidence presented by representatives of the 
Onondaga Indian Nation support the physical evidence.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Rome 
Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of 85 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Rome 
Historical Society have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 
3001 (3)(A), the 598 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 Rome Historical Society have determined that, pursuant

[[Page 18624]]

to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), 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 Onondaga Indian Nation.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Onondaga Indian 
Nation. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself 
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should contact Barbara L. Schafer, Curator of 
Collections, Rome Historical Society, 200 Church Street, Rome, NY 
13440; telephone: (315) 336-5870, before May 28, 1996. Repatriation of 
the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Onondaga 
Indian Nation may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
Dated: April 22, 1996
Francis P. McManamon
Departmental Consulting Archeologist
Chief, Archeology & Ethnography Program
[FR Doc. 96-10346 Filed 4-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F