[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 162 (Thursday, August 20, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 51484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18228]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0030628; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
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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SUMMARY: The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard
University has completed an inventory of human remains, in consultation
with the appropriate Indian Tribes, and has determined that there is a
cultural affiliation between the human remains and present-day Indian
Tribes. Representatives of any Indian Tribe that believes itself to be
culturally affiliated with the human remains may contact the Peabody
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University. Repatriation
of the human remains to the Indian Tribes stated below may occur if no
additional claimants come forward.
DATES: Representatives of any Indian Tribe that believes it has a
cultural affiliation with the human remains should contact the Peabody
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University at the address
below by September 21, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Patricia Capone, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and
Ethnology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138,
telephone (617) 496-3702.
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 under
the control of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard
University, Cambridge, MA. The human remains were removed from Bristol
County, 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. The National Park Service is not responsible
for the determinations in this notice.
Consultation
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Peabody
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology professional staff in consultation
with representatives of the Wampanoag Repatriation Confederation on
behalf of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (previously listed as Mashpee
Wampanoag Indian Tribal Council, Inc.); Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head
(Aquinnah); and the Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation, a non-
federally recognized Indian group.
History and Description of the Remains
In 1924, human remains representing, at minimum, seven individuals
were removed from burials on the Cummings Farm in Dartmouth, Bristol
County, MA. These individuals were excavated by Harry Lionel Shapiro on
behalf of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard
University. No known individuals were identified. No associated
funerary objects are present.
Based on biological and archeological information in the possession
of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, the human remains
are Native American. The interments most likely date to the Historic/
Contact period (i.e., post-A.D. 1500). Copper stains present on some of
the human remains from this site suggest that the human remains were
interred sometime after contact. Oral traditional information and
historical documentation indicate that Dartmouth, MA, is within the
aboriginal and historic homeland of the Wampanoag Nation.
In 1874, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual
were removed from a ``well known Indian burial place'' in Westport,
Bristol County, MA, by Mr. George H.E. Trouvelot, a medical student.
The individual was donated to the Warren Anatomical Museum. In 1959,
these human remains were donated to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology
and Ethnology by the Warren Anatomical Museum as part of a large
accession. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary
objects are present.
The interment most likely dates to the Historic/Contact period
(post-A.D. 1500). The original catalogue entry describes this
individual as having been removed from ``a well known Indian burial
place'' with about 30 graves. The individuals were buried horizontally,
and there were stone slabs at the head and foot of each burial. Pre-
contact Native American burials were generally flexed, rarely occurred
in clusters, and were rarely marked by stones. Native American
cemeteries with headstones and footstones appear only after the arrival
of Europeans in North America. Oral traditional information and
historical documentation indicate that Westport, MA, is within the
aboriginal and historic homeland of the Wampanoag Nation.
Determinations Made by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology,
Harvard University
Officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology,
Harvard University have determined that:
Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described
in this notice represent the physical remains of eight individuals of
Native American ancestry.
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 Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (previously
listed as Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribal Council, Inc.) and the
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), Indian Tribes that represent
people of Wampanoag descent.
Additional Requestors and Disposition
Representatives of any Indian Tribe that believes itself to be
culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Patricia
Capone, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard
University, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, telephone (617)
496-3702, by September 21, 2020. After that date, if no additional
requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains
to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (previously listed as Mashpee Wampanoag
Indian Tribal Council, Inc.) and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head
(Aquinnah) may proceed.
The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University
is responsible for notifying the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (previously
listed as Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribal Council, Inc.); Wampanoag
Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah); and the Assonet Band of the Wampanoag
Nation, a non-federally recognized Indian group, that this notice has
been published.
Dated: July 14, 2020.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2020-18228 Filed 8-19-20; 8:45 am]
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