[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 101 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 36646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13162]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology, Phillips Academy, 
Andover, MA.

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Native American 
Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), 
of the intent to repatriate cultural items in the possession of the 
Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA, 
that meet the definition of ``sacred objects'' under Section 2 of the 
Act.
    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 
cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations within this notice.
    Between 1915 and 1929, these cultural items were recovered from 
several locations at Pecos Pueblo, NM, during excavations conducted by 
the Phillips Academy under the direction of Alfred Vincent Kidder. The 
63 objects are 16 pipes, fragments of 3 ceramic vessels, 4 effigies, 25 
whole and fragmented shell beads, 1 shell pendant, 8 bird bone flutes, 
3 fragments of quartz, 2 fragments of mica, and 1 fragment of 
turquoise.
    Based on the ceramic types recovered from this site, Pecos Pueblo 
was occupied between A.D. 1300 and 1700. Historic records document 
occupation at the site until 1838 when the last inhabitants left the 
pueblo and went to the Pueblo of Jemez. In 1936, an Act of Congress 
recognized the Pueblo of Jemez as a ``consolidation'' and ``merger'' of 
the Pueblo of Pecos and the Pueblo of Jemez; this act further 
recognizes that all property, rights, titles, interests, and claims of 
both pueblos were consolidated under the Pueblo of Jemez.
    In consultation with members of the Eagle Watcher's Society, as 
well as other traditional religious leaders of the Pueblo of Jemez, it 
has been determined by officials of the Robert S. Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology that these objects are integral to present-day religious 
practice at the Pueblo.
    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)(3), these cultural items are specific ceremonial objects 
needed by traditional Native American religious leaders for the 
practice of traditional Native American religions by their present-day 
adherents. 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 sacred objects and the Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico.
     This notice has been sent to officials of the Pueblo of Jemez, New 
Mexico. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself 
to be culturally affiliated with these sacred objects should contact 
Malinda Blustain, Interim Director, Robert S. Peabody Museum, Phillips 
Academy, Andover, MA, telephone (978) 749-4496 before June 24, 2002. 
Repatriation of these sacred objects to the Pueblo of Jemez, New 
Mexico, may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.

    Dated: April 16, 2002.
Robert Stearns,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 02-13162 Filed 5-23-02; 8:45 am]
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