[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 134 (Monday, July 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 37593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18431]


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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 Connecticut in the Possession of 
the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven, CT

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 Connecticut in the possession of the 
Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven, CT.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Yale Peabody 
Museum of Natural History professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Mohegan Tribe.
    In 1913, human remains representing two individuals were excavated 
on the property of Ulmer Leather Company, Norwich, CT and donated to 
the Yale Peabody Museum by Henry Ulmer. No known individuals were 
identified. The nine associated funerary objects include an incomplete 
copper vessel, two incomplete copper spoons, four trade metal spoons, a 
trade clay pipe with a broken stem, and a stone pestle.
    In 1973, human remains representing one individual recovered from 
Norwich, CT were donated to the Yale Peabody Museum by Mr. Max Miller 
of Norwich, CT. No known individual was identified. The one associated 
funerary object is a bronze vessel.
    Morphological evidence indicates these human remains are Native 
American based on dentition. Based on the types of associated funerary 
objects, these human remains most likely date from the proto-historic 
into the early historic period. Historic documents indicate that the 
Mohegan occupied Norwich into the historic period.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Yale 
Peabody Museum of Natural History have determined that, pursuant to 43 
CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical 
remains of three individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of 
the Peabody Museum of Natural History have also determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the ten 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 Peabody Museum of Natural History 
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 Mohegan Tribe.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Mohegan Tribe. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact Dr. Richard Burger, Director, Yale Peabody 
Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Avenue, P.O. Box 208118, New 
Haven, CT 06520-8118; telephone: (203) 432-3752, before August 13, 
1997. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects 
to the Mohegan Tribe may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.
Dated: July 8, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-18431 - Filed 7-11-97 ; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F