FR Doc E8-23699[Federal Register: October 7, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 195)]
[Notices]               
[Page 58623-58625]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07oc08-99]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service
 
Notice of Inventory Completion: New York State Museum, Albany, NY

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), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the 
completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary 
objects in the possession of the New York State Museum, Albany, NY. The 
human remains were removed from Livingston, Monroe, and Ontario 
Counties, NY.
    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 and associated funerary objects. The National 
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by New York 
State Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives of 
the Seneca Nation of New York, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, and 
Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York.
    In 1911, human remains representing a minimum of 17 individuals 
were removed during excavations at the Tram Site (NYSM site No. 1037), 
Livonia Township, Livingston County, NY, by Everett R. Burmaster and 
Arthur C. Parker, New York State Museum staff. No known individuals 
were identified. The 38 associated funerary objects are 2 brass or 
copper bracelets, 15 plum pits, fragments of 2 ceramic vessels, 1 
steatite sherd, 1 sample of hematite, 1 antler flaker, 1 chert end 
scraper, 1 chert core, 1 string of discoidal and tubular shell beads, 1 
abrading stone, 3 bone awls, 3 antler pins, 5 unmodified shells, and 1 
worked bone square.
    Archeological and ethnohistoric evidence used to reconstruct a 
sequence of historic Seneca village movements identifies the Tram Site 
as an early historic Seneca site dating to circa A.D. 1580-1600. It is 
a large palisaded village

[[Page 58624]]

site with at least two associated cemeteries.
    At an unknown time, but prior to 1916, human remains representing a 
minimum of one individual were removed from the Richmond Mills, also 
known as the Reed Fort site, in the Town of Richmond, Ontario County, 
NY, by George R. Mills. Mr. Mills sold the human remains to Ward's 
Natural Scientific Establishment, as part of a larger collection. In 
1916, the New York State Museum purchased the human remains from Ward's 
Natural Scientific Establishment. No known individual was identified. 
No associated funerary objects are present.
    At an unknown time, but prior to 1918, human remains representing a 
minimum of one individual were removed from the Richmond Mills site in 
the Town of Richmond, Ontario County, NY, by an unknown individual. In 
1918, the New York State Museum purchased the human remains, as part of 
a larger collection, from Alvin H. Dewey. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Archeological evidence, including pottery, removed during 
excavations at the Richmond Mills site, but not in the possession of 
the New York State Museum, indicates that the site was a habitation 
site and was occupied circa A.D. 1450-1550. Analysis of pottery styles 
indicates that the site was inhabited during a time when the Seneca and 
Cayuga cultural groups were developing distinct tribal identities while 
maintaining close social ties. The presence of Richmond Incised pottery 
is indicative of stylistic continuity with later Seneca sites as well 
as affinities with contemporary settlements in the Cayuga homeland.
    At an unknown time, but prior to 1918, human remains representing a 
minimum of two individuals were removed from the Marsh site in the Town 
of East Bloomfield, Ontario County, NY, by Harrison C. Follett. In 
1918, the New York State Museum purchased the human remains, as part of 
a larger collection, from Alvin H. Dewey. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    The Marsh Site is the location of Gandagan, also known as 
Gandagaro, a large eastern Seneca village and cemetery, occupied circa 
A.D. 1655-1675. Gandagan was the site of St. Jacques, the third mission 
established by the Jesuits among the Seneca. The residents of this 
community, along with the mission, subsequently moved to Boughton Hill, 
where it was known by the same Seneca and mission names.
    In 1919 and 1920, human remains representing a minimum of 23 
individuals were removed from the Boughton Hill site (NYSM Site 
 1384) in Victor Township, Ontario County, NY, during 
excavations by Arthur C. Parker and Everett R. Burmaster, New York 
State Museum staff (Accession Nos. A1919.50 and 1920.50). Many of the 
burials had been previously disturbed, the field notes were brief, and 
the human remains and objects were poorly labeled. No known individuals 
were identified. The 94 associated funerary objects are 1 pottery 
effigy pipe; 7 pottery pipe stem fragments; 1 iron adze; 1 iron axe; 1 
musket barrel with fragments of the ramrod and ramrod pipe; 2 smoothing 
stones; fragments of a wooden bowl; fragments of a bark bowl; fragments 
of a woven bark mat; 1 wooden spoon containing squash seeds; 3 brass 
kettles; 20 brass fragments; 2 iron knife blades; 9 botanical samples 
(e.g., seeds); 9 samples of hide, bark, and textile; 10 faunal remains; 
3 bear canines; 1 bone comb; 1 bone bead; 15 glass, shell, and 
catlinite beads; 3 projectile points; and 1 sample of red ochre.
    In approximately 1670, residents of the Marsh site relocated to the 
Boughton Hill site to establish the second and better known site of St. 
Jacques, the third Jesuit mission established among the Seneca, and the 
Seneca village of Gannagaro. The village also appears in two 
contemporary documents with a Seneca name meaning "basswood place." 
The village was inhabited from circa A.D. 1655 until 1687, when it was 
destroyed during the French Campaign of Denonville. The Boughton Hill 
site is now Ganondagan State Historic Site.
    At an unknown time, but prior to 1918, human remains representing a 
minimum of one individual were removed from the Dann site, also known 
as the Ball Farm, in Mendon Township, Monroe County, NY, by an unknown 
individual. In 1918, the New York State Museum purchased the human 
remains, as part of a larger collection, from Alvin H. Dewey. No known 
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    The Dann site was the location of Gandachioragon, a large western 
Seneca village and cemetery, inhabited circa A.D. 1655-1675. Jesuit 
missionaries established the first mission among the Seneca, La 
Conception, at Gandachioragon. Archeologically, the site is also known 
as Totiakton II. Residents of the community and the mission relocated 
to Shadekaronyes, the Rochester Junction Site, circa A.D. 1675. Looting 
of the cemetery began soon after Gandachioragon was abandoned.
    At an unknown time, but prior to 1918, human remains representing a 
minimum of one individual were removed from the Rochester Junction 
Site, also known as the Sheldon Farm site, in Mendon Township, Monroe 
County, NY, by an unknown individual. In 1918, the New York State 
Museum purchased the human remains, as part of a larger collection, 
from Alvin H. Dewey. No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Rochester Junction was the location of a large western Seneca 
village and cemetery. In 1675, it was established by Jesuit 
missionaries and Seneca after the abandonment of Gandachioragon. The 
site was also known as Shadekaronyes, after the principal Seneca Snipe 
Clan chief who resided there. Archeologically, the site is also known 
as Totiakton I. The village was destroyed during the French Denonville 
Campaign of 1687. Looting of the cemetery commenced soon after the 
abandonment of the village.
    At an unknown time, but prior to 1925, human remains representing a 
minimum of one individual were removed from an unknown location in the 
vicinity of Lima, Livingston County, NY. In 1925, the New York State 
Museum acquired the human remains. No known individual was identified. 
No associated funerary objects are present.
    Copper staining on the mandible indicates that the human remains 
were originally buried with copper objects, suggesting a historic date 
for the interment. Five Seneca habitation sites and cemeteries have 
been identified in the vicinity of Lima, NY. Seneca sites in the 
vicinity of Lima include a historic period Seneca settlement in the 
village of Lima; a historic period Seneca cemetery one mile north of 
Lima; Fort Hill in the town of Lima (Archaeological History of New 
York, Parker, 1922); historic period Keinthe cemetery, in the town of 
Lima; and several small fishing camps. It is probable that the human 
remains were removed from one of the settlements and/or cemeteries.
    In 1955, human remains representing a minimum of seven individuals 
were removed from the Kanadesaga Mound site, Geneva Township, Ontario, 
NY, during excavations by New York State Museum staff. No known 
individuals were identified. The 32 associated funerary objects are 3 
coffin nails and over 10 fragments of coffin wood; 1 strap buckle; 1 
iron hoe; 5 iron fittings (including 1 musket side plate, 1 iron 
handle, and 3 unidentified iron fragments); 3 crotal bells; 1 glass 
bead; 2 European clay pipe stem fragments; and 6 wampum beads.

[[Page 58625]]

    Kanadesaga was the large eastern village of the Seneca dating to 
circa A.D. 1754-1779, and the home of the Seneca chief Sayenqueraghta, 
known also as "Old King" and "Old Smoke." Contemporary accounts 
referred to Kanadesaga as the "Seneca Castle," and the village's 
prominence on the political landscape was recognized by colonial 
leaders. The settlement was the site of a blockhouse built on Sir 
William Johnson's orders, which was the place of residence and 
workplace of several colonial blacksmiths to the Seneca, briefly the 
home of Reverend Samuel Kirkland, and a base for Butler's Rangers 
during the American Revolution. The settlement was destroyed by the 
American Sullivan-Clinton Campaign in 1779. In the mid-19th century, 
E.G. Squier and Lewis H. Morgan describe the site and associate the 
burial mound with the village's Seneca occupants. Morgan reported that 
Indians made annual visits to the burial mound.
    Historical evidence and oral history indicates that the sites 
discussed above are located in a region that was occupied by the Seneca 
Indians from A.D. 1450-1779. Archeological evidence indicated that 
these sites were occupied during the time of Seneca occupation of the 
region. Based on historical evidence, oral history, and archeological 
evidence, the human remains and associated funerary objects are 
identified by officials of the New York State Museum as being Seneca. 
Descendants of the Seneca are represented by the Seneca Nation of New 
York, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, and Tonawanda Band of Seneca 
Indians of New York.
    Officials of the New York State Museum have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains described above 
represent the physical remains of 54 individuals of Native American 
ancestry. Officials of the New York State Museum also have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the 164 objects described 
above are reasonably believed to have been placed with or near 
individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the 
death rite or ceremony. Lastly, officials of the New York State Museum 
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 Native American human remains and associated funerary 
objects and the Seneca Nation of New York, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of 
Oklahoma, and Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact Lisa M. Anderson, NAGPRA Coordinator, New York 
State Museum, 3122 Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230, 
telephone (518) 486-2020, before November 6, 2008. Repatriation of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Seneca Nation of 
New York, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, and Tonawanda Band of Seneca 
Indians of New York may proceed after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.
    New York State Museum is responsible for notifying the Seneca 
Nation of New York, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, and Tonawanda Band 
of Seneca Indians of New York that this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 10, 2008.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8-23699 Filed 10-6-08; 8:45 am]

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