Notice of Inventory Completion: Penn State University, Matson Museum of Anthropology, University Park, PA, 54527 [2022-19172]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 6, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 54527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19172]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0034453; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Penn State University, Matson 
Museum of Anthropology, University Park, PA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Matson Museum of Anthropology, Penn State University has 
completed an inventory of human remains in consultation with the 
appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations and has 
determined that there is no cultural affiliation between the human 
remains and any present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian 
organizations. 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 should submit a written 
request to the Matson Museum of Anthropology. If no additional 
requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to 
the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this 
notice may proceed.

DATES: 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 should submit a written 
request with information in support of the request to the Matson Museum 
of Anthropology at the address in this notice by October 6, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. James Doyle, Director, Matson 
Museum of Anthropology, Penn State University, 410 Carpenter Building, 
University Park, PA 16802, telephone (814) 865-2033, 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 under 
the control of the Matson Museum of Anthropology, Penn State 
University, University Park, PA. The human remains were removed from 
Humboldt and Modoc Counties, CA.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3) and 
43 CFR 10.11(d). 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 the Matson 
Museum of Anthropology professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria, 
California; Blue Lake Rancheria, California; Klamath Tribes; and the 
Wiyot Tribe, California (previously listed as Table Bluff Reservation--
Wiyot Tribe) (hereafter referred to as ``The Tribes'').

History and Description of the Remains

    In the early 20th century, human remains representing, at minimum, 
18 individuals were removed by collector H. H. Stuart from Tuluwat 
Island and other sites in what are today Humboldt and Modoc Counties, 
CA. These human remains were later purchased by Mr. Howard K. Lucas of 
Eureka, CA, who was once an employee of Penn State University. Lucas, 
who began collecting prehistoric items in 1902, purchased some items 
from collectors such as Stuart in the 1920s and 1930s. The museum's 
accession file does not specify how and when the human remains 
described in this notice were acquired by Lucas or Stuart. Upon Howard 
Lucas's death, the Lucas collection was transferred to his wife, Mrs. 
Bertha H. Lucas. In 1978, Mrs. Lucas donated the collection to Penn 
State University, where it was cared for by the Department of 
Anthropology. The Matson Museum of Anthropology accessioned the human 
remains upon moving to its current location in 1987. Only general 
geographic locations were associated with the human remains, apart from 
the human remains designated PSU 27:150, which were recorded as having 
been removed from Tuluwat Island (formerly Gunther or Indian Island). 
These human remains belong to an adult female. The human remains of the 
other 17 individuals belong to 10 adult males (PSU 27.115; PSU 27.116; 
PSU 27.117; PSU 27.118; PSU 27.119; PSU 27.122; PSU 27.123; PSU 27.124; 
PSU 27.126; and PSU 27.128); one young adult male (PSU 27.121 (2)); 
three adult females (PSU 27.120; PSU 27.127; PSU 27.129); one young 
adult of indeterminate sex (PSU 27.156); one possible male of 
indeterminate age (PSU 27.125); and one cremated adult (PSU 27.158). No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.

Determinations Made by the Matson Museum of Anthropology, Penn State 
University

    Officials of the Matson Museum of Anthropology, Penn State 
University have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice are Native American based on archival information and 
osteological analysis.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 18 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), a relationship of shared 
group identity cannot be reasonably traced between the Native American 
human remains and any present-day Indian Tribe.
     According to final judgments of the Indian Claims 
Commission or the Court of Federal Claims, the land from which the 
Native American human remains were removed is the aboriginal land of 
The Tribes.
     Treaties, Acts of Congress, or Executive Orders, indicate 
that the land from which the Native American human remains were removed 
is the aboriginal land of The Tribes.
     Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the disposition of the 
human remains may be to The Tribes.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    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 should submit a written request with information 
in support of the request to Dr. James Doyle, Director, Matson Museum 
of Anthropology, Penn State University, 410 Carpenter Building, 
University Park, PA 16802, telephone (814) 865-2033, email 
[email protected], by October 6, 2022. After that date, if no 
additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the 
human remains to The Tribes may proceed.
    The Matson Museum of Anthropology, Penn State University is 
responsible for notifying The Tribes that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: August 29, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-19172 Filed 9-2-22; 8:45 am]
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