[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 55452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20655]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: American Museum of Natural 
History, New York, NY

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 American Museum of Natural History, 
New York, NY. The human remains were removed from San Miguel County, 
NM.
    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 in 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 in this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by American 
Museum of Natural History professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Pueblo of Cochiti, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico; Pueblo of Picuris, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Felipe, New Mexico; and 
Pueblo of Santo Domingo, New Mexico.
    Between 1914 and 1916, human remains representing nine individuals 
were removed from the Pecos Pueblo, Pecos Valley, San Miguel County, 
NM, by Mr. A.V. Kidder while he was working for Phillips Academy, 
Andover, MA. The human remains were donated to the Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, in 1919. The American 
Museum of Natural History acquired the human remains in 1932 through an 
exchange with the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. No known 
individuals were identified. Four associated funerary objects, which 
are not in the possession of the American Museum of Natural History, 
are documented as one obsidian projectile point, one scraper, one bone 
awl, and one worked sherd.
    The human remains have been identified as Native American based on 
burial practice, nature of funerary objects, and provenience. The human 
remains date to both the pre- and postcontact periods. In 1838, Pecos 
Pueblo was abandoned, and the 17 to 20 survivors migrated to Jemez 
Pueblo. Mr. Kidder noted in 1958 that people at Santo Domingo, Cochiti, 
and San Felipe claim Pecos ancestry and that these groups may represent 
migrations prior to the final abandonment of Pecos. Consultants from 
the three pueblos have not confirmed Mr. Kidder's statement, but some 
have referred to ``historical connections'' in some cases. Pueblo of 
Jemez, New Mexico representatives have indicated that many individuals 
there claim ancestry to Pecos. Some people at Pueblo of Jemez, New 
Mexico still speak the Pecos language. A Pecos governor has been 
selected there, and he holds the Pecos cane of office. Descendants of 
Pecos Pueblo still hold ceremonies that were brought to Jemez by the 
original Pecos survivors.
    Officials of the American Museum of Natural History have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains described 
above represent the physical remains of nine individuals of Native 
American ancestry. Officials of the American Museum of Natural History 
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 Pueblo of Jemez, New 
Mexico.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Nell 
Murphy, Director of Cultural Resources, American Museum of Natural 
History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192, 
telephone (212) 769-5837, before October 14, 2004. Repatriation of the 
human remains to the Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico may proceed after that 
date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The American Museum of Natural History is responsible for notifying 
the Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
Jemez, New Mexico; Pueblo of Picuris, New Mexico; Pueblo of Pojoaque, 
New Mexico; Pueblo of San Felipe, New Mexico; and Pueblo of Santo 
Domingo, New Mexico that this notice has been published.

    Dated: August 3, 2004.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 04-20655 Filed 9-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S