[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 46 (Monday, March 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 10878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5781]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects From Chautauqua and Onondaga Counties, 
NY, in the Possession of the Springfield Science Museum, Springfield, 
MA

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), 25 U.S.C. 
3003 (d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains and 
associated funerary objects in the possession of the Springfield 
Science Museum, Springfield, MA.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Springfield 
Science Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives 
of the Onondaga Nation, the Seneca Nation of Indians, and the Tonawanda 
Band of Senecas.
    In 1925, human remains representing two individuals were donated to 
the Springfield Science Museum by Mr. J.T. Bowne. No known individuals 
were identified. The approximately 165 associated funerary objects 
include mammal bone implements, stone implements; stone pendants; coral 
fossils; red ochre; a brass triangular point; a metal ax; glass beads; 
shells and shell beads; charred corn and beans; pottery; a red paint 
stick; and sheet brass.
    In 1907, Mr. J.T. Bowne purchased these human remains and 
associated funerary objects from M.R. Harrington, who obtained these 
remains from the Silverheels Site and the Page Jimmerson Site, in 
Chautauqua County, NY.
    These two sites, Silverheels Site and the Page Jimmerson Site were 
all used as cemetery areas between the late precontact period into the 
mid-nineteenth century. The associated funerary objects and manner of 
internments indicate a continuity of occupation throughout this period 
consistent with known traditional Iroquoian practices. Consultation 
evidence presented by the Seneca Nation indicates these associated 
funerary objects and burial practices are identical to Iroquoian, 
specifically Seneca, traditional practices.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the 
Springfield Science Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical 
remains of two individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of 
the Springfield Science Museum have also determined that, pursuant to 
25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the approximately 165 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 Springfield Science Museum have 
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 Native American human remains and associated funerary 
objects and the Seneca Nation of Indians.
    In 1861, human remains representing one individual was donated to 
the Springfield Science Museum by Mr. H.O. Marcy. No known individual 
was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    H.O. Marcy removed these human remains from the ``Fort Lot Site'', 
Onondaga County, NY. Consultation evidence presented by the Onondaga 
Nation and the Haudenosunee Standing Committee on Burial Rules and 
Regulations indicates that this site is likely one of several early 
Onondaga historic villages in Onondaga County, NY which dated from the 
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. These historic villages are often 
referred to as ``forts'' or ``lots'' in nineteenth century historical 
documents.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the 
Springfield Science Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical 
remains of one individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the 
Springfield Science 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 Native American human remains 
and associated funerary objects and the Onondaga Nation.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Haudenosaunee 
Standing Committee on Burial Rules and Regulations, the Onondaga 
Nation, the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, the Seneca Nation of 
Indians, and the Tonawanda Band of Senecas. Representatives of any 
other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated 
with these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact 
John Pretola, Curator of Anthropology, Springfield Science Museums, 236 
State Street, Springfield, MA 01103; telephone: (413) 263-6800, before 
April 7, 1997. Repatriation of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects to the Seneca Nation of Indians and the Onondaga 
Nation may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.

    Dated: February 24, 1997.

Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and 
Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-5781 Filed 3-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P