[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 126 (Monday, July 1, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54505-54506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14465]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0038197; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intended Repatriation: Robert S. Peabody Institute of 
Archaeology, Andover, MA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and 
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Robert S. Peabody Institute of 
Archaeology intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the 
definition of unassociated funerary objects and that have a cultural 
affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in 
this notice.

DATES: Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on 
or after July 31, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Ryan Wheeler, Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology, 
180 Main Street, Andover, MA 01810, telephone (978) 749-4490, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published as part of the 
National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. 
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology, and additional information 
on the determinations in this notice, including the results of 
consultation, can be found in the summary or related records. The

[[Page 54506]]

National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this 
notice.

Abstract of Information Available

    A total of 1,277 cultural items have been requested for 
repatriation. Under the auspices of the Robert S. Peabody Institute of 
Archaeology (then the Department of Archaeology at Phillips Academy), 
Warren K. Moorehead conducted an archeological survey of Maine from 
1912-1920. During this survey, Moorehead removed thousands of items 
from multiple cemetery and burial sites in the state and sent much of 
it to what is now the Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology. 
Moorehead detailed his expedition in A Report on the Archaeology of 
Maine published in 1922. While much of the material removed from these 
sites is housed at the Peabody Institute, Moorehead also traded items 
from Maine cemeteries with other institutions. Some cultural items from 
these cemeteries are present in other institutional collections.
    The 828 unassociated funerary objects were removed from seven known 
cemeteries in Hancock County, ME. The 828 cultural items include flaked 
and ground stones, modified faunal remains, ceramic fragments, and 
samples of soil, ochre, and charcoal. Of those items listed above, 74 
are recorded in the Peabody Institute's database but could not be 
located. Peabody Institute staff members continue to look for these 74 
missing items.
    The nine unassociated funerary objects were removed from one known 
cemetery in Kennebec County, ME. The nine cultural items are chipped 
and ground stones.
    The 297 unassociated funerary objects were removed from three known 
cemeteries in Knox County, ME. The 297 cultural items include flaked 
and ground stones, modified flora and faunal remains, and ceramic 
fragments. Of those items listed above, 11 are recorded in the Peabody 
Institute's database but could not be located. Peabody Institute staff 
members continue to look for these 11 missing items.
    The 142 unassociated funerary objects were removed from three known 
cemeteries in Penobscot County, ME. The 142 cultural items include 
flaked and ground stones as well as samples of soil, pyrite, and ochre.
    The one unassociated funerary object was removed from a known 
cemetery in Somerset County, ME. The one unassociated funerary item is 
a pipe.

Determinations

    The Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology has determined that:
     The 1,277 unassociated funerary objects described in this 
notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with 
or near human remains, and are connected, either at the time of death 
or later as part of the death rite or ceremony of a Native American 
culture according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a 
lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. The 
unassociated funerary objects have been identified by a preponderance 
of the evidence as related to human remains, specific individuals, or 
families, or removed from a specific burial site or burial area of an 
individual or individuals with cultural affiliation to an Indian Tribe 
or Native Hawaiian organization.
     There is a reasonable connection between the cultural 
items described in this notice and the Houlton Band of Maliseet 
Indians; Mi'kmaq Nation (previously listed as Aroostook Band of 
Micmacs); Passamaquoddy Tribe; and the Penobscot Nation.

Requests for Repatriation

    Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items 
in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified 
in this notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be 
submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian 
organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a 
preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal 
descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian 
organization.
    Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor 
may occur on or after July 31, 2024. If competing requests for 
repatriation are received, the Robert S. Peabody Institute of 
Archaeology must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to 
repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural items are 
considered a single request and not competing requests. The Robert S. 
Peabody Institute of Archaeology is responsible for sending a copy of 
this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations 
identified in this notice and to any other consulting parties.
    Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 
25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.

    Dated: June 24, 2024.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2024-14465 Filed 6-28-24; 8:45 am]
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