[Federal Register: June 20, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 119)]
[Notices]
[Page 33676-33677]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20jn97-99]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects From Maine in the Possession of the
Maine State Museum, Augusta, ME
AGENCY: National Park Service
ACTION: Notice
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Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C.
3003 (d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains and
associated funerary objects from Maine in the possession of the Maine
State Museum, Augusta, ME.
[[Page 33677]]
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Maine State
Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives of the
Aroostook Band of MicMacs, Houlton Band of Maliseets, Passamaquoddy
Tribe, and the Penobscot Indian Nation.
In the late 19th or early 20th century, human remains representing
seven individuals were recovered from the Riverside/Sturgis Farm site
(38.14) in Vassalboro, ME, and were donated to the Maine State Museum
in 1986 by the Kennebec Historical Society. No known individuals were
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
In 1989, human remains representing three individuals were
recovered from the Leta Young site (53.23) in Benton, ME, during
legally authorized archeological testing. In 1995, these human remains
were transferred to the Maine State Museum by the University of Maine
at Farmington. No known individuals were identified. The associated
funerary object is a strand of shell beads.
The two sites listed above are located in Kennebec County, ME
within the historically documented territory of the Etchemin, from whom
the present-day Penobscot Indian Nation trace their descent. The
individuals from these two sites date from the late precontact into the
historic period (1335-1765 AD) based on radiocarbon dates of 405 +/-
105 and 432 +/- 60 B.P. respectively. Osteological evidence indicates
these individuals are morphologically consistent with contemporary
Native Americans.
In the early 1960s, human remains representing two individuals were
recovered from the Fort Pemaquid site (16.49) in Bristol, ME, by the
Maine Bureau of Parks and Recreation and were transferred to the Maine
State Museum in 1982. No known individuals were identified. The
fourteen associated funerary objects include sheet brass tubes, brass
sheets, a copper or brass disk, leather, hide, and bark fragments.
In 1995, human remains representing one individual were recovered
from the Fort Pemaquid site (16.49) by the Maine Historic Preservation
Commission and transferred to the Maine State Museum. No known
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects were present.
Osteological evidence indicates these individuals are
morphologically consistent with contemporary Native Americans. The Fort
Pemaquid site is located in Lincoln County, ME within the historically
documented territory of the Etchemin, from whom the present-day
Penobscot Indian Nation trace their descent. Based on the associated
funerary objects and a radiocarbon date of 660 +/- 50 B.P., these human
remains are estimated to be from the late to terminal precontact period
into the early historic period (ca. 1190-16th century AD.).
During 1967-1969, human remains representing 23 individuals were
recovered from the Goddard site (30.42) by Mr. Guy Mellgren and Mr.
Edward Runge who donated them to the Maine State Museum in 1972 and
1973. No known individuals were identified. The eighteen associated
funerary objects include celts, ochre, copper beads, fragments of
copper, leather, fur, plant material, and a shark tooth.
In 1980, human remains representing five individuals were recovered
from the Goddard site (30.42) during Maine State Museum excavations. No
known individuals were identified. The seven associated funerary
objects include copper beads, fragments of copper, plant material, fur,
and leather.
Osteological evidence indicates these individuals are
morphologically consistent with contemporary Native Americans. The
Goddard site is located in Hancock County, ME within the historically
documented territory of the Etchemin, from whom the present-day
Penobscot Indian Nation trace their descent. Based on cultural
material, specifically the presence of European trade copper, and
radiocarbon dates of 377+/- 57, 540 +/- 50, and 679 +/- 59 B.P., these
human remains are estimated to be from the late precontact period to
the terminal precontact period--early historic period (1153- 1707 AD.).
Because there is so little European trade material, an earlier rather
than later date is more likely for these human remains.
In 1976, human remains representing one individual were recovered
from the Parson's site (29.47) by the Maine State Museum. No known
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects were
present.
Osteological evidence indicates this individual is morphologically
consistent with contemporary Native Americans. The Parson's site is
located in Knox County, ME within the historically documented territory
of the Etchemin, from whom the present-day Penobscot Indian Nation
trace their descent. Although the radiocarbon dates are 400 +/- 110
B.P. (1330--1770 AD.), these human remains are estimated to be from the
late precontact period based on the precontact cultural material and
absence of any cultural material of European or Euroamerican origin at
Parson's site.
In 1984 and 1985, human remains representing one individual were
recovered from the Oak Island site (70.3) in Skowhegan, ME by the Maine
State Medical Examiner's office and the University of Maine at
Farmington (UMF). In 1994, these human remains were transferred to the
Maine State Museum by UMF. No known individuals were identified. No
associated funerary objects were present.
Osteological evidence indicates this individual is morphologically
consistent with contemporary Native Americans. This site is located in
Somerset County, ME, within the historically documented territory of
the Etchemin, from whom the present-day Penobscot Indian Nation trace
their decsent. Based on radiocarbon dates of 270+/- 60 B.P. from this
site, this burial dates from the late precontact to the historic period
(1560-1800 AD).
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Maine
State Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the
human remains listed above represent the physical remains of 43
individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Maine State
Museum have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A),
the 40 objects listed 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 Maine
State Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2),
there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be
reasonably traced between these Native American human remains and
associated funerary objects and the Penobscot Indian Nation.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Aroostook Band of
MicMacs, Houlton Band of Maliseets, Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the
Penobscot Indian Nation. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains
and associated funerary objects should contact Dr. Bruce Bourque, Chief
Archaeologist, Maine State Museum, 83 State House Station, Augusta, ME
04333; telephone (207) 287-2301, before July 21, 1997. Repatriation of
the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Penobscot
Indian Nation may begin after that date if no additional claimants come
forward.
Dated: June 13, 1997.
Daniel Haas,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-16165 Filed 6-19-97; 8:45 am]
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