[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 187 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 51589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25807]



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
from New London County, CT in the Possession of the Robert S. Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology, Phillips Academy, Andover, 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 New London 
County, CT in the possession of the Robert S. Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Robert S. 
Peabody Museum of Archaeology professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe of Connecticut.
    In 1921 or 1922, human remains representing six individuals were 
recovered from the Ecclestone site, Noank, CT during Robert S. Peabody 
Museum excavations conducted by Warren K. Moorehead, museum curator. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    Based on the Ecclestone site report, these individuals have been 
determined to be Native American. A 1921 newspaper article indicates 
the Ecclestone site is an ``Indian burying ground'' located along the 
Mystic River, southwest of Mystic, CT. The Ecclestone site is located 
centrally in the area where principal Pequot villages existed from the 
late Woodland to the early historic period.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Robert 
S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology have determined that, pursuant to 43 
CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical 
remains of six individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of 
the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology 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 Mashantucket Pequot Indian Tribe of Connnecticut.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Mashantucket Pequot 
Indian Tribe of Connnecticut. Representatives of any other Indian tribe 
that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human 
remains should contact James W. Bradley, Director, Robert S. Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA 01810; telephone: 
(978) 749-4490, before October 28, 1998. Repatriation of the human 
remains to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe of Connecticut may begin after 
that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: September 14, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-25807 Filed 9-25-98; 8:45 am]
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