[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 22, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 9149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-2443]


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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 in the possession of the 
American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY. The human remains 
were removed from Newport and Washington Counties, RI.
    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. 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 Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island.
    Prior to 1907, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were collected by an unknown person from Prudence Island, 
Newport County, RI. The American Museum of Natural History received the 
human remains from Dr. Robert Cushman Murphy as a gift in 1953. No 
known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    This individual has been identified as Native American based on 
geographic and documentary evidence and on information obtained in 
consultation. The human remains are associated with the culture name 
``Narragansett,'' and the Museum has determined that they are likely 
culturally affiliated with the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode 
Island. Although museum documentation and visual osteological 
assessment suggest that this individual is ``European,'' the museum 
catalog states that the human remains are believed to be from a 
Narragansett Indian burial. In consultation, representatives of the 
Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island have advised that they 
consider the human remains to be culturally affiliated with the tribe. 
They further noted that the Narragansett have occupied Prudence Island 
for thousands of years and had used it as a burial ground. Although no 
specific archeological information has been found that pertains to the 
duration of Narragansett use of this island, the archeological record 
indicates a lengthy period of continuity in the general area.
    About 1910, human remains representing a minimum of three 
individuals were collected by an unknown person one half mile from 
Ninigret Fort, Dutch Point, near Charlestown, Washington County, RI. 
The American Museum of Natural History received the human remains as a 
gift in 1935 from William B. Goodwin, who acquired them from the owner 
of the land on which they were found. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    The human remains have been identified as Native American based on 
geographic location and historical evidence. Museum records suggest 
that the human remains date to the postcontact period. Fort Ninigret 
and the area around Charlestown are associated with the postcontact 
Niantic Tribe. In 1675, the Narragansett Indians merged with the 
Niantic Indians living in Charlestown; this combined group took the 
name Narragansett, now the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island. 
During consultation, the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island 
claimed this area as part of their aboriginal territory.
    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 a minimum of four 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 
Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island.
    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 March 24, 2006. Repatriation of the 
human remains to the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island may 
proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The American Museum of Natural History is responsible for notifying 
the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: January 27, 2006.
C. Timothy McKeown,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E6-2443 Filed 2-21-06; 8:45 am]
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