[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 14209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5936]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion of Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects in the control of the Robert S. Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology, Andover, 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 inventory of human remains and associated funerary 
objects in the control of the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology, 
Andover, 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 Robert 
S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology professional staff in consultation 
with representatives of the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island, 
the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe of Connecticut, and the Mohegan Indian 
Tribe of Connecticut.
    In 1921, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from the Niantic Shellheap Site in East Lyme, CT, by Warren King 
Moorehead under the auspices of the Robert S. Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    Stylistic attributes of ceramics excavated from the site indicate 
that the Niantic Shellheap Site was occupied in the Late Woodland-Early 
Contact period, circa A.D. 1550-1700. Based on cultural continuities, 
it is likely that the historic Niantic people in the Connecticut area 
developed out of Late Woodland culture. The population of Niantic 
people diminished after European contact due to disease and war, and 
the remaining tribal members joined neighboring tribes in A.D. 1850. 
Oral tradition and historic documentation indicate that the Niantic 
people joined the Mohegan Tribe and Narragansett Tribe at that time.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Robert 
S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology 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 
Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology also 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 Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island and the 
Mohegan Indian Tribe of Connecticut.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Narragansett Indian 
Tribe of Rhode Island, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe of Connecticut, 
and the Mohegan Indian Tribe of Connecticut. Representatives of any 
other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated 
with these human remains should contact James W. Bradley, Director, 
Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA 
01810, telephone (978) 749-4490, before April 9, 2001. Repatriation of 
the human remains to the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island and 
the Mohegan Indian Tribe of Connecticut may begin after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: February 9, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-5936 Filed 3-8-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F