[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 45 (Monday, March 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 11452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5917]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence, RI

AGENCY: National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), of the intent to repatriate 
cultural items in the possession of the Rhode Island Historical Society 
which meet the definition of ``unassociated funerary objects'' under 
Section 2 of the Act.
    The four objects are a soapstone bowl, two soapstone bowl 
fragments, and a string of whelk shell beads. The accession information 
regarding these objects has been lost since the date of acquisition.
    Consultation evidence provided by representatives of the 
Narragansett Indian Tribe indicates the soapstone bowl is used for the 
Ceremony of the Green Corn, and would also be used in baptismal 
ceremonies. Consultation evidence provided by representatives of the 
Narragansett Indian Tribe also indicates that the inclusion of 
soapstone bowls, soapstone bowl fragments and whelk shell beads is 
consistent with traditional Narragansett burial practice.
    The three objects from Westerly, RI are glass bottles, beads, and a 
wampum bracelet. Museum documentation indicates they were recovered in 
1835 from burials at the railhead site in Westerly, RI; and were 
purchased by the Rhode Island Historical Society from Mr. Chesebrough 
that same year.
    Based on funerary objects, this railhead site has been determined 
to be a Narragansett burial site during the historic period 
(approximately 16th century until the late 1600s). Historical documents 
and archeological evidence indicates this area was occupied by the 
Narragansett Indian Tribe during this period.
    The 19 objects from Charlestown, RI are pewter latten spoons, glass 
rum bottles, a sword handle, copper pots, glass vials, a flute, gold 
effigy comb, man's gold ring, a disk, a stove ornament and hanging 
chain, two silver thimbles, a copper snuff box, a copper spoon, strings 
of glass beads, and loose glass beads. Museum documentation indicates 
these objects were excavated from the burial site in 1859; and were 
given to the Rhode Island Historical Society in 1877 by C.W. Parsons 
and Charles Cross, as well as other members of the Society.
    The site from which these objects were taken is a historically 
documented Narragansett burial site stated to be the grave of Princess 
Weunquesh, a daughter of Ninigret who died about 1660. The type and 
style of these objects date from that era. No human remains from this 
grave are in the possession of the Rhode Island Historical Society.
    The 14 objects from Charlestown, RI are pewter latten spoons. 
Museum documentation regarding the accession of these objects by the 
Rhode Island Historical Society has been lost.
    The site from which these objects were taken is a historically 
documented Narragansett burial site stated to be the grave of the 
second (unmarried) daughter of Ninigret who died in 1660. The type and 
style of these objects date from that era. No human remains from this 
grave are in the possession of the Rhode Island Historical Society.
    The 24 objects from the Arnolda site in Charlestown, RI are a 16th 
century Portuguese cannon, four blocks of ochre, 12 pipes and pipe 
fragments, a sword fragment, a buckshot mold, two glass rods, glass 
beads, and three ceramic sherds. Museum documentation indicates these 
objects were excavated in 1921 and 1925 from burials from the Arnolda 
site on the property of J. Arnold and were donated to the Rhode Island 
Historical Society about 1925.
    The Arnolda site is a historically documented Narragansett burial 
site used during the historic era, based on manner of interment and the 
types of funerary objects present.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Rhode 
Island Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(2)(ii), these 64 cultural items 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 and are believed, by a 
preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from a specific 
burial site of an Native American individual. Officials of the Rhode 
Island Historical Society have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be 
reasonably traced between these 64 items and the Narragansett 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 objects should contact Linda 
Eppich, Curator, or Albert T. Klyberg, Director, Rhode Island 
Historical Society, 110 Benevolent St., Providence, RI 02906, 
telephone: (401) 331-8575 before April 8, 1998. Repatriation of these 
objects to the Narragansett Indian Tribe may begin after that date if 
no additional claimants come forward.
    The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations 
within this notice.
Dated: March 3, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-5917 Filed 3-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F