Notice of Inventory Completion: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 51484 [2020-18228]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[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]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P