[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10909-10910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4079]


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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

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 Archaeology 
and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
    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 was made by the Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology 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.
    Between 1844-1866, human remains representing one individual were 
recovered from near Mobile, Mobile County, AL, by Dr. Josiah C. Nott. 
In 1916, these human remains were gifted to the Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology and Ethnology by the Boston Society of Natural History as 
part of the White collection. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Museum documentation identifies this individual as a ``Choctaw 
youth.'' The attribution of such a specific cultural affiliation to the 
human remains indicates that the interment postdates sustained contact 
between indigenous groups and Europeans beginning in the 17th century. 
The human remains were recovered from an area commonly considered to be 
traditional Choctaw territory. Oral traditions and historic evidence 
support the cultural affiliation to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and 
the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Mississippi. The Jena Band of 
Choctaw Indians, Louisiana, does not consider Alabama to be part of 
their traditional territory.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology 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 Ethnology also have 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship 
of shared group identity

[[Page 10910]]

that can be reasonably traced between these Native American human 
remains and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and the Mississippi Band of 
Choctaw Indians.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Choctaw Nation of 
Oklahoma, and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Representatives 
of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally 
affiliated with these human remains should contact Barbara Isaac, 
Repatriation Coordinator, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, 
Harvard University, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, telephone 
(617) 495-2254, before March 20, 2001. Repatriation of the human 
remains to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and the Mississippi Band of 
Choctaw Indians may begin after that date if no additional claimants 
come forward.

    Dated: January 30, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-4079 Filed 2-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F