[Federal Register: May 2, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 85)]
[Notices]
[Page 23493-23494]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02my03-82]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Springfield
Science Museum, Springfield, MA: Correction
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.8 (f), of the
intent to repatriate cultural items in the possession of the
Springfield Science Museum, Springfield, MA, that meet the definition
of unassociated funerary objects at 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(B).
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 within this notice are the sole responsibility of
the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the
cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations within this notice.
This notice and a companion notice of inventory completion
correction replace the notice of inventory completion that was
published in the Federal Register on April 16, 1996 (FR Doc. 96-9366,
page 16643). The two correction notices revise the total number of
human remains and funerary objects and provide additional evidence for
cultural affiliation. These corrections are necessary as the result of
reevaluation of the collection and accompanying documentation that
reduces the numbers of cultural items considered culturally affiliated
with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez
Reservation, California. The total number of human remains is reduced
from a minimum of 2 to 1 individual. The total number of funerary
objects is reduced from 200 to 65 associated funerary objects and 39
unassociated funerary objects. The 39 unassociated funerary objects are
described in this notice of intent to repatriate correction; the human
remains and associated funerary objects are described in the companion
notice of inventory completion.
In 1908, Dr. Jacob T. Bowne removed 39 cultural items from burial
sites on Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island, and Goleta, all in Santa
Barbara County, CA. The cultural items are 25 shell beads from Santa
Cruz Island; 1 lead bullet, 11 leaf shaped stone blades, and 1 shell
pendant from Santa Rosa Island; 1 stone tube pipe from Goleta. Dr.
Bowne donated these cultural items to the Springfield Science Museum in
1925.
Museum documentation indicates that the cultural items were removed
from specific burial sites. Archeological evidence indicates that the
sites from which the cultural items were removed were used as burial/
funerary areas from the Late Precontact period to the mid-19th century
(A.D. 1400 to 1850). Analyses of funerary practices, tools,
ornamentation, and funerary objects at various components of the site
indicate cultural continuity throughout the Late Precontact period to
the mid-19th century. Consultation evidence presented by
representatives of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of
the Santa Ynez Reservation, California indicates that funerary
practices, tool manufacture, ornamentation types, and funerary objects
are identical to Chumash traditional practices documented in the
Historic period. Overall evaluation of the totality of the
circumstances and evidence indicates a probable cultural affiliation
between the cultural items and several Chumash Indian groups, including
the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez
Reservation, California and several nonfederally recognized Indian
groups.
Officials of the Springfield Science Museum have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(B), the 39 cultural items are reasonably
believed to have been placed with or near individual human remains at
the time of death or later as part of a death rite or ceremony and are
believed, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from
specific burials sites of Native American individuals. Officials of the
Springfield Science Museum also have determined that, pursuant to 25
U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that
can be reasonably traced between the unassociated funerary objects and
the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez
Reservation, California.
[[Page 23494]]
Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be
culturally affiliated with the unassociated funerary objects should
contact David Stier, Director, Springfield Science Museum, 236 State
Street, Springfield, MA 01103, telephone (413) 263-6800, extension 321,
before June 2, 2003. Repatriation of the unassociated funerary objects
to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez
Reservation, California may proceed after that date if no additional
claimants come forward.
The Springfield Science Museum is responsible for notifying the
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez
Reservation, California; and Esselin Nation and Ti'at Society/
Traditional Council of Pima (two nonfederally recognized Indian groups)
that this notice has been published.
Dated: April 8, 2003.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources.
[FR Doc. 03-10915 Filed 5-1-03; 8:45 am]
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