[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 193 (Wednesday, October 4, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 59199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25398]


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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 Haffenreffer 
Museum of Anthropology, Brown University, Bristol, RI

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 Haffenreffer Museum of 
Anthropology, Brown University, Bristol, RI.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2 (c). The 
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these human 
remains and associated funerary objects. The National Park Service is 
not responsible for the determinations within this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Haffenreffer 
Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives of the 
Wampanoag Repatriation Confederation, representing the Wampanoag Tribe 
of Gay Head, the Mashpee Wampanoag (a non-Federally recognized Indian 
group), and the Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation (a non-Federally 
recognized Indian group); the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode 
Island; and the Council of Seven/Royal House of Pokanoket/Pokanoket 
Tribe/Wampanoag Nation (a non-Federally recognized Indian group).
    In 1913, human remains representing one individual were excavated 
at Burr's Hill in Warren, RI. During the 1920's, Rudolf Haffenreffer 
acquired these remains as part of the Drown collection. No known 
individual was identified. The seven associated funerary objects are 
five small brass kettle fragments and two wool blanket fragments.
    Burr's Hill is believed to be located on the southern border of 
Sowams, a Wampanoag village. Sowams is identified in historic documents 
of the 17th and 18th centuries as a Wampanoag village, and was ceded to 
the English in 1653 by Massasoit and his eldest son Wamsutta 
(Alexander). Sporadic finds and excavations have been made at this site 
from the middle of the 19th century through the early 20th century. 
Based the presence of European trade goods and types of cultural items, 
these cultural items have been dated to between A.D. 1600-1710.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the 
Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology 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 Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology also have 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the seven 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 Haffenreffer Museum of 
Anthropology have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there 
is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably 
traced between these Native American human remains and associated 
funerary objects and the Wampanoag Repatriation Confederation, 
representing the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, the Mashpee Wampanoag (a 
non-Federally recognized Indian group), and the Assonet Band of the 
Wampanoag Nation (a non-Federally recognized Indian group). This notice 
has been sent to officials of the Wampanoag Repatriation Confederation, 
representing the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, the Mashpee Wampanoag (a 
non-Federally recognized Indian group), and the Assonet Band of the 
Wampanoag Nation (a non-Federally recognized Indian group); the 
Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island; and the Council of Seven/
Royal House of Pokanoket/Pokanoket Tribe/Wampanoag Nation (a non-
Federally recognized Indian group). Representatives of any other Indian 
tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human 
remains and associated funerary objects should contact Thierry Gentis, 
NAGPRA Coordinator, Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, Mount Hope 
Grant, Bristol, RI 02805, telephone (401) 253-8388, facsimile (401) 
253-1198, before November 3, 2000. Repatriation of the human remains 
and associated funerary objects to the Wampanoag Repatriation 
Confederation, representing the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, the 
Mashpee Wampanoag (a non-Federally recognized Indian group), and the 
Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation (a non-Federally recognized Indian 
group) may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.

    Dated: September 21, 2000.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 00-25398 Filed 10-03-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F