[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 11077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4826]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
from Georgia in the Possession of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and 
Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, 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 Georgia in the 
possession of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard 
University, Cambridge, MA.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Peabody 
Museum of Arhcaeology and Ethnography professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; 
the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, Louisiana; and the Mississippi Band 
of Choctaw Indians, Mississippi.
    In 1959, human remains representing one individual were permanently 
loaned to the Peabody Museum by the Warren Anatomical Museum, Harvard 
Medical School. No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Based on museum documentation, these human remains are believed to 
have been collected from an unknown location in Georgia, possibly by an 
individual names Hoyt. Museum documentation further describes these 
human remains as Choctaw. The attribution of such a specific cultural 
affiliation to these human remains indicates that the interment post-
dates sustained contact between indigenous groups and Europeans 
beginning in the 17th century.
    Although these human remains were from an area commonly thought to 
be outside traditional Choctaw territory, oral traditions and historic 
evidence support cultural affiliation with the Choctaw Nation of 
Oklahoma. Representatives of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma have 
described wide-ranging population movements by Choctaw individuals from 
Georgia. Representatives of the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, Louisiana 
and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians of Mississippi have 
indicated they were not part of those population movements. Based on 
consultation evidence, the condition of the human remains, and the 
occupation of this region by Choctaw people, these human remains have 
been affiliated solely with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Peabody 
Museum of Arhcaeology and Ethnography have determined that, pursuant to 
43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the 
physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry. 
Officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography 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 Choctaw Nation of 
Oklahoma.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Choctaw Nation of 
Oklahoma; the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, Louisiana; and the 
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Mississippi. 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, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Ave., Cambridge, MA 
02138; telephone: (617) 495-2254, before March 31, 2000. Repatriation 
of the human remains to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma may begin after 
that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: February 9, 2000.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and 
Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 00-4826 Filed 2-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F