[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 85 (Friday, May 2, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 23494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10916]


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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 Springfield 
Science Museum, Springfield, MA; Correction

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves 
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the 
completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary 
objects in the possession of the Springfield Science Museum, 
Springfield, MA. The human remains and associated funerary objects were 
recovered from an unnamed site in Santa Barbara County, CA.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003 (d)(3). 
The determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of 
the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the 
Native American human remains and associated funerary objects. The 
National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations within 
this notice.
    This notice and a companion notice of intent to repatriate 
correction replace the notice of inventory completion that was 
published in the Federal Register on April 16, 1996 (FR Doc. 96-9366, 
page 16643). The two correction notices revise the total number of 
human remains and funerary objects and provide additional evidence for 
cultural affiliation. These corrections are necessary as the result of 
reevaluation of the collection and accompanying documentation that 
reduces the numbers of cultural items considered culturally affiliated 
with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez 
Reservation, California. The total number of human remains is reduced 
from a minimum of two to one individual. The total number of funerary 
objects is reduced from 200 to 65 associated funerary objects and 39 
unassociated funerary objects. The human remains and associated 
funerary objects are described in this notice of inventory completion 
correction; the unassociated funerary objects are described in the 
companion notice of intent to repatriate.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects was made by the Springfield Science Museum professional staff 
in consultation with representatives of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash 
Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California. The Esselin 
Nation and Ti'at Society/Traditional Council of Pima (two nonfederally 
recognized Indian groups) also were consulted regarding the human 
remains and associated funerary objects.
    In 1909, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed by Dr. Jacob T. Bowne from an unnamed site in Santa 
Barbara County, CA. Dr. Bowne donated the human remains to the 
Springfield Science Museum in 1925. No known individual was identified. 
The 65 associated funerary objects are 46 obsidian, quartz, and flint 
flakes; 12 clam and snail shells; and 7 mammal and bird bones.
    Archeological evidence indicates that the site was used as a 
burial/funerary area from the Late Precontact period to the mid-19th 
century (A.D. 1400 to 1850). Analysis of the funerary practices, tools, 
ornamentation, and funerary objects at various components of the site 
indicates cultural continuity throughout the Late Precontact period to 
the mid-19th century. Consultation evidence presented by 
representatives of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of 
the Santa Ynez Reservation, California indicates that funerary 
practices, tool manufacture, ornamentation types, and funerary objects 
are identical to Chumash traditional practices documented in the 
Historic period. Overall evaluation of the totality of the 
circumstances and evidence indicates a probable cultural affiliation 
between the human remains and associated funerary objects and several 
Chumash Indian groups, including the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission 
Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California and several 
nonfederally recognized Indian groups.
    Officials of the Springfield Science Museum have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains described above 
represent the physical remains of one individual of Native American 
ancestry. Officials of the Springfield Science Museum also have 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the 65 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 a 
death rite or ceremony. Lastly, officials of the Springfield Science 
Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a 
relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced 
between the Native American human remains and associated funerary 
objects and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa 
Ynez Reservation, California.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact David Stier, Director, Springfield Science 
Museum, 236 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103, telephone (413) 263-
6800, extension 321, before June 2, 2003. Repatriation of the human 
remains and associated funerary objects to the Santa Ynez Band of 
Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California may 
proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Springfield Science Museum is responsible for notifying the 
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez 
Reservation, California; Esselin Nation; and Ti'at Society/Traditional 
Council of Pima that this notice has been published.

    Dated: April 8, 2003.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources.
[FR Doc. 03-10916 Filed 5-1-03; 8:45 am]
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