[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 157 (Friday, August 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 43722]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21834]



[[Page 43722]]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
from Plymouth, MA and an Associated Funerary Object from Barnstable, MA 
in the Possession of Pilgrim Hall Museum, Plymouth, MA

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), 43 CFR 10.9, 
of the completion of an inventory of human remains from Plymouth, MA in 
the possession of Pilgrim Hall Museum, Plymouth, MA.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Pilgrim Hall 
Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives of the 
Wampanoag Repatriation Confederation on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe 
of Gay Head (Aquinnah).
    In 1861, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from Cummaquid, Barnstable, MA by Amos Otis while plowing a field. No 
known individual was identified. The associated funerary objects 
include a copper kettle, a canister of metal fragments and nails, and 
other grave goods.
    Although these human remains had been believed to be those of 
Sachem Iyannough, examination of the remains indicated they were 
actually of a young woman. In 1974, this individual and most of the 
associated funerary objects were repatriated to Frank James 
(Wampanoag). This remaining container of metal fragments and nails 
which is clearly associated with the burial, was accidentally 
overlooked at that time and recently found during inventorying the 
collections. Based on the associated funerary objects, this burial has 
been determined to be from the historic period. Several 17th-century 
colonial sources indicate the presence of Wampanoag people in the 
Barnstable area during the early contact period.
    The associated funerary object listed above constitutes a newly-
found item from a previously repatriated collection. Because the 
previously repatriated collection was returned prior to the enactment 
of NAGPRA, this item is being published to document the return of an 
associated funerary object as part of an action on a repatriation 
request pending on the date of NAGPRA's enactment.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of Pilgrim Hall 
Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the one 
object listed above is 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. Officials of Pilgrim Hall Museum have also 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3009 (2), this object is part of 
an action on a repatriation request pending on the date of enactment of 
NAGPRA and will therefore be repatriated to the Wampanoag Repatriation 
Confederation on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).
    In 1884, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
by Mr. Paulding from Watson's Hill in Plymouth, MA during house 
construction. In 1962, these human remains, consisting of hair 
fragments, were donated to Pilgrim Hall Museum by Eunice Paulding 
Bassett. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    In 1884, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
by Dr. Edward B. Stephens from Watson's Hill in Plymouth, MA during 
house construction. At some time after 1884, Dr. Stephens donated a 
large Native collection to Pilgrim Hall Museum which contained the 
human remains, consisting of hair fragments. Documents note that during 
the house construction, Dr. Stephens recovered a skeleton, some hair, 
and a stone tablet. The location of the skeleton and stone tablet is 
unknown. No associated funerary objects are present in the collections 
of Pilgrim Hall Museum.
    Based on historical documents, Watson's Hill in Plymouth, MA is a 
known settlement of the Patuxet Wampanoag who lived in the Plymouth 
area prior to the arrival of Europeans on the Mayflower and other 
ships. Early historic documents list the Native place name as 
Cantaugheantiest, a Wampanoag term meaning ``planted fields.'' Based on 
the discovery of many human remains in this area, Watson's Hill is 
likely to have been a Patuxet Wampanoag burial ground in the late pre-
contact and early historic periods.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of Pilgrim Hall 
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 Pilgrim Hall Museum 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 
Native American human remains and the Wampanoag Repatriation 
Confederation on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Wampanoag 
Repatriation Confederation on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head 
(Aquinnah). Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains should 
contact Karin J. Goldstein Curator, Pilgrim Hall Museum, 75 Court 
Street, Plymouth, MA 02360; telephone (508) 746-1620, ext. 4, before 
September 14, 1998. Repatriation of the human remains to the Wampanoag 
Repatriation Confederation on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head 
(Aquinnah) may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
Dated: August 4, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-21834 Filed 8-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F