[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 247 (Friday, December 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80956-80957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32659]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects from Connecticut in the Possession of 
the Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, CT

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 and associated 
funerary objects in the possession of the Peabody Museum of Natural 
History, Yale University, New Haven, CT.
    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 Native 
American 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 and associated funerary 
objects was made by Peabody Museum of Natural History professional 
staff in consultation with representatives of the Mashantucket Pequot 
Tribe.
    In 1873, human remains representing one individual were donated to 
the Peabody Museum of Natural History by J. D. Fish. The remains were 
recovered near Mystic, CT. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on the documentary evidence, examination of the human 
remains, and consultation with representatives of the Mashantucket 
Pequot Tribe, this individual is identified as Native American. The 
remains appear to be prehistoric or protohistoric in age. Cultural 
affiliation has been determined on the basis of geographic origin of 
the remains, physical characteristics that identify them as Native 
American, published accounts of the traditional territory of the 
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, and historical information provided by the 
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. Historical documents indicate that the 
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe has occupied the area where the remains were 
recovered since the Late Woodland period, circa A.D. 1000.
    In 1874, human remains representing three individuals were donated 
to the Peabody Museum of Natural History by Mrs. E. O. Dunning. The 
remains were recovered near Mystic, CT. No known individuals were 
identified. The one associated funerary object is a metal spoon.
    Based on the documentary evidence, examination of the human 
remains, and consultation with representatives of the Mashantucket 
Pequot Tribe, these individuals are identified as Native American. The 
remains and the spoon probably date to the period of Euro-American 
contact. Cultural affiliation has been determined on the basis of 
geographic origin of the remains, physical characteristics that 
identify them as Native American, published accounts of the traditional 
territory of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, and historical information 
provided by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. Historical documents 
indicate that the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe has occupied the area where 
the remains were recovered since the Late Woodland period, circa A.D. 
1000.
    In 1948, human remains representing one individual was donated to 
the Peabody Museum of Natural History by Eva Butler. The remains were 
recovered near Groton, CT, on the property of the Spicer Ice and Coal 
Co. during excavation for a drain. No known individual was identified. 
No associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on the documentary evidence, examination of the human 
remains, and consultation with representatives of the Mashantucket 
Pequot Tribe, this individual is identified as Native American. The 
remains appear to be prehistoric or protohistoric in age. Cultural 
affiliation has been determined on the basis of geographic origin of 
the remains, physical characteristics that identify them as Native 
American, published accounts of the traditional territory of the 
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, and historical information provided by the 
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. Historical documents indicate that the 
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe has occupied the area where the remains were 
recovered since the Late Woodland period, circa A.D. 1000.

[[Page 80957]]

    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Peabody 
Museum of Natural History have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of five individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the 
Peabody Museum of Natural History also 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 a part of the death rite or ceremony. 
Lastly, officials of the Peabody Museum of Natural History 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 the associated funerary object and 
the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Mashantucket Pequot 
Tribe. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself 
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and the associated 
funerary object should contact Dr. Richard Burger, Director, Peabody 
Museum of Natural History, Yale University, 170 Whitney Avenue, P.O. 
Box 208118, New Haven, CT 06520-8118, telephone (203) 432-3752, before 
January 22, 2001. Repatriation of the human remains and the associated 
funerary object to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe may begin after that 
date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: December 14, 2000.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 00-32659 Filed 12-21-00; 8:45 am]
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