[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 210 (Friday, October 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58417-58418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29093]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Peabody Museum 
of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA and the 
Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, MA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

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 and associated 
funerary objects in the possession of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology 
and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA and the Plimoth 
Plantation, Plymouth, MA.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and Plimoth Plantation professional 
staff in consultation with representatives of the Wampanoag 
Repatriation Confederation on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay 
Head; and the Mashpee Wampanoag and the Assonet Band of the Wampanoag 
Nation, two non-Federally recognized Indian groups.
    In 1934, human remains representing two individuals were recovered 
in Plymouth, MA by Henry and Ralph Hornblower and Jesse Brewer on 
property owned by the Hornblowers adjacent to the Eel River. Also in 
1934, these human remains were transferred to the Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology and Ethnology. No known individuals were identified. The 
five associated funerary objects include a triangular brass projectile 
point with attached sinew, a box of yellow ochre, a Native-made ceramic 
sherd, and two bark containers. During the 1950s, these objects were 
donated to the Plimoth Plantation by Harry Hornblower.
    The documentation associated with the objects indicates these 
objects were associated with the human remains from the Hornblower 
property at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Based on 
the presence of the brass projectile point, the burials have been 
estimated to date to the early historic period or later, post 1600 A.D. 
Historic documents (including the 1606 Champlain Map of Port Saint 
Louis) and oral tradition indicate the presence of Wampanoag in this 
area during this time. The Eel River in Plymouth, MA is located within 
the traditional territory of the Wampanoag during the early historic 
period.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the Plimoth Plantation 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 the Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology and Ethnology and the Plimoth Plantation have also 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the five 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 
Archaeology and Ethnology and the Plimoth Plantation have 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 associated funerary objects and the 
Wampanoag Repatriation Confederation on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe 
of Gay Head; and the Mashpee Wampanoag and the Assonet Band of the 
Wampanoag Nation, two non-Federally recognized Indian groups.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Wampanoag 
Repatriation Confederation on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay 
Head; and the

[[Page 58418]]

Mashpee Wampanoag and the Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation, two 
non-Federally recognized Indian groups. Representatives of any other 
Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with 
these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact 
Barbara Isaac, Repatriation Coordinator, Peabody Museum of Archaeology 
and Ethnology, 11 Divinity Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138; telephone: (617) 
496-2254; and/or Karin Goldstein, Curator of Original Collections, 
Plimoth Plantation, PO Box 1620, Plymouth, MA 02362; telephone (508) 
746-1622, ext. 379, before November 30, 1998. Repatriation of the human 
remains and associated funerary objects to the Wampanoag Repatriation 
Confederation on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head; and the 
Mashpee Wampanoag and the Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation, two 
non-Federally recognized Indian groups may begin after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
Dated: October 22, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-29093 Filed 10-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F