[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 230 (Monday, December 1, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67213-67214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-29776]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and 
Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

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 in the possession of the 
Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 
Cambridge, MA. The human remains were removed from Apache County, AZ.
    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. 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 Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Navajo Nation, 
Arizona, New Mexico & Utah; Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico; and Pueblo of 
Laguna, New Mexico.
    In 1884, human remains representing one individual were removed 
from Fort Defiance, Apache County, AZ, by Dr. Sampson. The human 
remains were donated to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology 
the same year. Museum documentation describes the human remains as 
``Navajo?''. No known individual was identified. No funerary objects 
are present.
    In 1903, human remains representing a minimum of three individuals 
were removed from Massacre Cave, Canyon del Muerto, Apache County, AZ, 
by Stewart Cullin on behalf of the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY. In 
1938, the human remains were permanently loaned to the Peabody Museum 
of Archaeology and Ethnology. Museum documentation describes the human 
remains as probably Navajo. Massacre Cave is the site of the 1805 
massacre of Navajo people by Spanish colonial military forces. Two of 
the human remains exhibit gun shot wounds, which indicate a postcontact 
date consistent with the 1805 massacre. No known individuals were 
identified. No funerary objects are present.
    Cranial morphology indicates that the human remains from Fort 
Defiance and Canyon del Muerto, AZ, are four individuals of Navajo 
ancestry.
    Although the lands from which the human remains were removed are 
currently under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of the 
Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology 
and Ethnology has possession and control of the human remains because 
their removal from tribal land predates the permit requirements 
established by the Antiquities Act of 1906.
    Officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology have 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains 
described above represent the physical remains of four individuals of 
Native American ancestry. Officials of the Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology and Ethnology also 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 
the Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Patricia 
Capone, Repatriation Coordinator, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and 
Ethnology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, 
telephone (617)

[[Page 67214]]

496-3702, before December 31, 2003. Repatriation of the human remains 
to the Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah may proceed after that 
date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology is responsible for 
notifying the Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico 
& Utah; Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico; and Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico 
that this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 24, 2003.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources.
[FR Doc. 03-29776 Filed 11-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-50-S