[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 4, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14499-14501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06827]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0025133; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Peabody Essex Museum has completed an inventory of human 
remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with the 
appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has 
determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human 
remains and associated funerary objects and present-day Indian Tribes 
or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives 
of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in 
this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human 
remains and associated funerary objects should submit a written request 
to the Peabody Essex Museum. If no additional requestors come forward, 
transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian 
organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or 
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
request transfer of control of these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should submit a written request with information in 
support of the request to the Peabody Essex Museum at the address in 
this notice by May 4, 2018.

[[Page 14500]]


ADDRESSES: Karen Kramer, Curator of Native American and Oceanic Art and 
Culture, Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970, 
telephone (978) 542-1565, direct line (978) 745-9500 ext. 3065, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 under the control of the Peabody Essex 
Museum. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed 
from Gloucester, Ipswich (including Castle Neck and Treadwell's 
Island), Marblehead (including Naugus Head), Plum Island, Revere, 
Salisbury, and Salem, MA.
    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.

Consultation

    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Peabody 
Essex Museum's professional staff in consultation with representatives 
of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (previously listed as the Mashpee 
Wampanoag Indian Tribal Council, Inc.); Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head 
(Aquinnah); and the following non-federally recognized Indian groups: 
Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation and Pokanoket Tribe of the 
Wampanoag Nation.

History and Description of the Remains

    Between the years of 1884 and 1887, human remains representing, at 
minimum, two individuals were removed from Castle Neck, Ipswich, Essex 
County, MA. The human remains were donated by J.S. Woodbury and include 
partial cranial and post cranial remains of a child of unknown sex 1-2 
years of age, and fragmentary cranial remains including adult mandible 
and jaw fragment of an adult, possibly female. No known individuals 
were identified. The two associated funerary objects are one lot of 
faunal remains and one pendant and copper beads mounted on muslin-
covered card.
    Prior to 1935, human remains representing, at minimum, five 
individuals were removed from a cemetery along the shore of the Salem 
Harbor near Naugus Head, Marblehead, Essex County, MA. The human 
remains were donated to the museum in 1976 by the Marblehead Historical 
Society. The human remains include complete cranial remains and 
fragmentary post cranial remains of an adult female 16-20 years of age; 
partial cranial and post cranial remains of a subadult of unknown sex 
14-16 years of age; partial post cranial remains of a subadult of 
unknown sex 13-15 years of age; fragmentary cranial and post cranial 
remains of a child of unknown sex 2-4 years of age; and fragmentary 
post cranial remains of an adult, possibly female, 60+ years of age. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    On November 10 and 11, 1874, human remains representing, at 
minimum, one individual were removed from Marblehead in Essex County, 
MA. The human remains were collected by the Essex Institute by J.H. 
Sears et. al., Essex Institute Collection. An inscription associated 
with the inventory read ``Devereux, from an Indian Chief's grave, 
Marblehead, MA 1862, in the `Pines' overlooking Salem harbor.'' The 
human remains include fragmentary cranial remains of a child of unknown 
age and sex. No known individuals were identified. The two associated 
funerary objects are pottery sherds.
    In March 1862, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed ``from an Indian chief's grave'' in Marblehead, 
MA, by J.H. Gregory. The human remains were deposited in the Peabody 
Museum of Salem (now Peabody Essex Museum) in March 1977, by the 
Marblehead Historical Society (now Marblehead Museum) as Accession 
#1910.71 (Old #3103). The Marblehead Museum transferred control of the 
human remains to the Peabody Essex Museum on August 11, 2016 (PEM 
Accession #21160, E58149). The human remains are represented by 
fragmentary dental remains of a child. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1930, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from Salisbury in Essex County, MA. The human remains were 
excavated by Warren King Moorehead and donated to the museum that same 
year. Catalog records read, ``skull, collected by Merrimac Valley Exp. 
In 1930, found by Caleb Fowler, donated by John Cole chief of Police 
Salisbury.'' The human remains include partial cranial remains of an 
adult, probably male, 35-60 years of age. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    On June 30, 1888, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from Plum Island in Essex County, MA. The human 
remains were collected and donated to the museum by Jacob W. Cullen in 
1888. The human remains include partial cranial and post cranial 
remains of a child of unknown sex, 5-7 years of age. No known 
individuals were identified. The one associated funerary object is one 
stone implement.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from south Salem in Essex County, MA. The human 
remains were possibly received sometime between 1894 and 1968, based on 
museum records. The human remains include fragmentary post cranial 
remains of a subadult of unknown sex, 16-18 years of age. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    In 1868 or 1874, human remains representing, at minimum, four 
individuals were removed from Revere in Suffolk County, MA. The human 
remains were collected by N. Vickary and donated to the museum by N. 
Vickary in 1882. The human remains include nearly complete cranial and 
post cranial remains of an adult female 30-34 years of age, commingled 
with post cranial remains of an adult of unknown sex, 40-44 years of 
age; and fragmentary cranial remains of a child of unknown sex and age, 
with partial post cranial remains of an adult female 45-55 years of 
age. No known individuals were identified. The eight associated 
funerary objects are one lot of faunal remains; one broken box turtle 
shell; one stone effigy pestle with shell beads and glass beads; one 
stemmed pipe; two pyrula shells; one copper pot with iron handle; and 
one lot of shell beads.
    In 1993, human remains representing, at minimum, seven individuals 
were removed from Salem in Essex County, MA. The human remains were 
excavated from old cistern in Front Cellar in 1993, probably placed 
there after 1860. The human remains were found with a pipe case and 
19th century beer bottles. The human remains include fragmentary 
cranial and post cranial remains of at least five adults and two 
subadults--one male, one female, and five of unknown sex. The age 
estimates of the individuals are 16-19 years old, 20-30 years old, and 
30-40 years old. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, two

[[Page 14501]]

individuals were removed from Gloucester in Essex County, MA. A 
document with items reads, ``Sawyer Gloucester Free Library 
Excavations, 1974, medical study collection.'' The human remains 
include fragmentary cranial remains of a subadult and adult of unknown 
sex. The age estimate of the subadult is 14-16 years old. No known 
individuals were identified. The associated funerary object is one lot 
of faunal remains.
    Around 1950, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from Ipswich in Essex County, MA (Site ES15). William 
Eldridge is associated with the collection of these remains in the 
1950s. The human remains were received March 2, 1982. The human remains 
include fragmentary cranial remains and a jaw fragment of an adult of 
unknown sex and age. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1882 and 1884, human remains representing, at minimum, four 
individuals were removed from a shell midden excavated on Treadwell's 
Island, Ipswich, Essex County, MA (SITE ES178). In 1882, human remains 
were collected or donated by (on different occasions) Sears, Potter, 
J.R., R.L., Gallagar, Robinson, the Peabody Academy of Science party, 
and the Essex Institute party. In June 1884, human remains were 
collected and donated by O. Clifton Willcomb. The human remains include 
fragmentary post cranial remains of an adult of unknown sex; 
fragmentary cranial and post cranial remains of an adult and a child 8-
10 years of age, both of unknown sex; and partial cranial and post 
cranial remains of an adult male, 50-59 years of age. No known 
individuals were identified. The 11 associated funerary objects are 4 
sets of shells; 6 sets of faunal remains; and one snail shell.
    In 1980, human remains representing, at minimum, 15 individuals 
were removed from the path of bulldozers at a dump at the Ipswich sewer 
treatment in Ipswich in Essex County, MA. William Eldridge (on some 
occasions accompanied by John Grimes, Jeff Lalish, and Beth Lalish), 
oversaw the removal of the human remains. The human remains were placed 
at the Peabody Essex Museum where Grimes was then a curator. The human 
remains include a cranial fragment and femur; pelvis fragment and rib 
fragment; left temporal fragment, right temporal fragment, zygoma 
fragment, four cranial fragments, and phalange fragment; and a 
vertebrae fragment. No known individuals were identified. The three 
associated funerary objects are three sets of faunal remains.
    According to the information provided by the Wampanoag 
Confederation, linguistically, this area is within the so-called n-
dialect shared by Massachusett, Wampanoag, and Pokanoket speakers. 
Furthermore, sociopolitical and economic patterns in the coastal area 
of Rhode Island and Massachusetts were established by the late Woodland 
period circa A.D. 1000, and the coastal groups in the area are likely 
the ancestors of the Wampanoag people encountered by the English in the 
seventeenth century. Archeology, ethnohistory, linguistics, and oral 
history provide multiple lines of evidence that demonstrate 
longstanding ties between the Wampanoag and the area around Essex 
County, and affirm cultural affiliation with the sites listed in this 
notice.

Determinations Made by the Peabody Essex Museum

    Officials of the Peabody Essex Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 45 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 28 objects described 
in this notice are reasonably believed to have been placed with or near 
individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the 
death rite or ceremony.
     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 Mashpee 
Wampanoag Tribe (previously listed as the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian 
Tribal Council, Inc.), and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
request transfer of control of these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should submit a written request with information in 
support of the request to Karen Kramer, Curator of Native American and 
Oceanic Art and Culture, Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex Street, Salem, 
MA 01970, telephone (978) 542-1565, direct line (978) 745-9500 ext. 
3065, email [email protected], by May 4, 2018. After that date, if 
no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Mashpee Wampanoag 
Tribe (previously listed as the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribal 
Council, Inc.); Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) may proceed.
    The Peabody Essex Museum is responsible for notifying the Mashpee 
Wampanoag Tribe (previously listed as the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian 
Tribal Council, Inc.); Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah); and the 
following non-federally recognized Indian groups: Assonet Band of the 
Wampanoag Nation, and Pokanoket Tribe of the Wampanoag Nation, that 
this notice has been published.

    Dated: February 28, 2018.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2018-06827 Filed 4-3-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P