[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 15751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6851]


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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, 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 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 and associated funerary 
objects was made by Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology 
professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Pawnee 
Nation of Oklahoma.
    In 1915, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from the Genoa site in Nance County, NE, by Frederick H. Sterns during 
excavations conducted under the auspices of the Peabody Museum Missouri 
Valley Expedition. No known individual was identified. The 11 
associated funerary objects are fragmentary brass rings.
    Museum documentation, historic, and archeological evidence indicate 
that the interment post-dates sustained contact between indigenous 
groups and Europeans beginning in the 18th century.
    The archeological and historical evidence and the location of the 
Genoa site within the traditional territory of the Pawnee tribe 
indicate that the individual is Native American and is culturally 
affiliated with the present-day Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma.
    In 1915, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from the Burkett site in Nance County, NE, by Frederick H. Sterns 
during excavations conducted under the auspices of the Peabody Museum 
Missouri Valley Expedition. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Museum documentation, historic, and archeological evidence indicate 
that the interment post-dates sustained contact between indigenous 
groups and Europeans beginning in the 18th century. Oral history and 
the location of the Burkett site within the traditional territory of 
the Pawnee tribe indicate that the individual is Native American and is 
culturally affiliated to the present-day Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma.
    In 1915, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from the Hookstra Farm in Butler County, NE, by Frederick H. Sterns 
during excavations conducted under the auspices of the Peabody Museum 
Missouri Valley Expedition. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Museum documentation, historic, and archeological evidence indicate 
the interment post-dates sustained contact between indigenous groups 
and Europeans beginning in the 18th century. Oral history and the 
location of the Hookstra Farm within the traditional territory of the 
Pawnee tribe indicate that the individual is Native American and is 
culturally affiliated to the present-day Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma.
    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 three individuals of Native American ancestry. 
Officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology also have 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 11 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 Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology and Ethnology 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 Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Pawnee Nation of 
Oklahoma. 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, 11 Divinity 
Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, telephone (617) 495-2254, before April 19, 
2001. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects 
to the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma may begin after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: February 28, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-6851 Filed 3-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F