[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 119 (Friday, June 20, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33676-33677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16165]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects From Maine in the Possession of the 
Maine State Museum, Augusta, ME

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 from Maine in the possession of the Maine 
State Museum, Augusta, ME.

[[Page 33677]]

    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Maine State 
Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives of the 
Aroostook Band of MicMacs, Houlton Band of Maliseets, Passamaquoddy 
Tribe, and the Penobscot Indian Nation.
    In the late 19th or early 20th century, human remains representing 
seven individuals were recovered from the Riverside/Sturgis Farm site 
(38.14) in Vassalboro, ME, and were donated to the Maine State Museum 
in 1986 by the Kennebec Historical Society. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1989, human remains representing three individuals were 
recovered from the Leta Young site (53.23) in Benton, ME, during 
legally authorized archeological testing. In 1995, these human remains 
were transferred to the Maine State Museum by the University of Maine 
at Farmington. No known individuals were identified. The associated 
funerary object is a strand of shell beads.
    The two sites listed above are located in Kennebec County, ME 
within the historically documented territory of the Etchemin, from whom 
the present-day Penobscot Indian Nation trace their descent. The 
individuals from these two sites date from the late precontact into the 
historic period (1335-1765 AD) based on radiocarbon dates of 405 +/- 
105 and 432 +/- 60 B.P. respectively. Osteological evidence indicates 
these individuals are morphologically consistent with contemporary 
Native Americans.
    In the early 1960s, human remains representing two individuals were 
recovered from the Fort Pemaquid site (16.49) in Bristol, ME, by the 
Maine Bureau of Parks and Recreation and were transferred to the Maine 
State Museum in 1982. No known individuals were identified. The 
fourteen associated funerary objects include sheet brass tubes, brass 
sheets, a copper or brass disk, leather, hide, and bark fragments.
    In 1995, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from the Fort Pemaquid site (16.49) by the Maine Historic Preservation 
Commission and transferred to the Maine State Museum. No known 
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects were present.
    Osteological evidence indicates these individuals are 
morphologically consistent with contemporary Native Americans. The Fort 
Pemaquid site is located in Lincoln County, ME within the historically 
documented territory of the Etchemin, from whom the present-day 
Penobscot Indian Nation trace their descent. Based on the associated 
funerary objects and a radiocarbon date of 660 +/- 50 B.P., these human 
remains are estimated to be from the late to terminal precontact period 
into the early historic period (ca. 1190-16th century AD.).
    During 1967-1969, human remains representing 23 individuals were 
recovered from the Goddard site (30.42) by Mr. Guy Mellgren and Mr. 
Edward Runge who donated them to the Maine State Museum in 1972 and 
1973. No known individuals were identified. The eighteen associated 
funerary objects include celts, ochre, copper beads, fragments of 
copper, leather, fur, plant material, and a shark tooth.
    In 1980, human remains representing five individuals were recovered 
from the Goddard site (30.42) during Maine State Museum excavations. No 
known individuals were identified. The seven associated funerary 
objects include copper beads, fragments of copper, plant material, fur, 
and leather.
    Osteological evidence indicates these individuals are 
morphologically consistent with contemporary Native Americans. The 
Goddard site is located in Hancock County, ME within the historically 
documented territory of the Etchemin, from whom the present-day 
Penobscot Indian Nation trace their descent. Based on cultural 
material, specifically the presence of European trade copper, and 
radiocarbon dates of 377+/- 57, 540 +/- 50, and 679 +/- 59 B.P., these 
human remains are estimated to be from the late precontact period to 
the terminal precontact period--early historic period (1153- 1707 AD.). 
Because there is so little European trade material, an earlier rather 
than later date is more likely for these human remains.
    In 1976, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from the Parson's site (29.47) by the Maine State Museum. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects were 
present.
    Osteological evidence indicates this individual is morphologically 
consistent with contemporary Native Americans. The Parson's site is 
located in Knox County, ME within the historically documented territory 
of the Etchemin, from whom the present-day Penobscot Indian Nation 
trace their descent. Although the radiocarbon dates are 400 +/- 110 
B.P. (1330--1770 AD.), these human remains are estimated to be from the 
late precontact period based on the precontact cultural material and 
absence of any cultural material of European or Euroamerican origin at 
Parson's site.
    In 1984 and 1985, human remains representing one individual were 
recovered from the Oak Island site (70.3) in Skowhegan, ME by the Maine 
State Medical Examiner's office and the University of Maine at 
Farmington (UMF). In 1994, these human remains were transferred to the 
Maine State Museum by UMF. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects were present.
    Osteological evidence indicates this individual is morphologically 
consistent with contemporary Native Americans. This site is located in 
Somerset County, ME, within the historically documented territory of 
the Etchemin, from whom the present-day Penobscot Indian Nation trace 
their decsent. Based on radiocarbon dates of 270+/- 60 B.P. from this 
site, this burial dates from the late precontact to the historic period 
(1560-1800 AD).
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Maine 
State Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the 
human remains listed above represent the physical remains of 43 
individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Maine State 
Museum have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), 
the 40 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 Maine 
State 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 Penobscot Indian Nation.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Aroostook Band of 
MicMacs, Houlton Band of Maliseets, Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the 
Penobscot 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 Dr. Bruce Bourque, Chief 
Archaeologist, Maine State Museum, 83 State House Station, Augusta, ME 
04333; telephone (207) 287-2301, before July 21, 1997. Repatriation of 
the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Penobscot 
Indian Nation may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
Dated: June 13, 1997.
Daniel Haas,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-16165 Filed 6-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F