[Federal Register: June 16, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 115)]
[Notices]
[Page 32253-32254]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16jn99-88]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
from Connecticut in the Possession of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology
and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
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), 43 CFR 10.9,
of the completion of an inventory of human remains from Connecticut in
the possession of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology,
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Peabody
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology professional staff in consultation
with representatives of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan
Indian Tribe.
In 1870, human remains representing one individual were donated to
the Peabody Museum by Alfred Hersey of Westerly, RI. No known
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
Correspondence from the donor indicates these human remains were
``exhumed from a grave in an old burying ground of the Pequot
Indians.'' Although Peabody Museum documentation lists the geographic
location of the human remains as ``Westerly, Rhode Island'' due to the
postmark on the collector's correspondence, there is no information
that the remains actually came from that location. Based on the copper
staining on the human remains, these human remains have been determined
to date to the contact/early historic period (post-1614). Consultation
evidence presented by representatives of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe
indicates that in about 1870, the Fanning Road cemetery in Ledyard CT,
a known historic burial area of the Mashantucket Pequot was looted. The
cultural attribution of the burial area given by the donor, combined
with the historic date of the human remains, the donation date of the
human remains, and the date of looting of the historic Fanning Road
burial area of the Mashantucket Pequot indicates that these human
remains most likely came from the Fanning Road cemetery.
In 1923, human remains representing two individuals from
Stonington, CT were donated to the Peabody Museum from Brown
University, RI. No known individuals were identified. No associated
funerary objects are present.
Museum documentation indicates these human remains were collected
on an unknown date by Reverend Frederick Denison. In 1871, Denison
donated his collection of Native American cultural material to the
Jenks Museum at Brown University. Museum records and copper staining on
the human remains indicate the remains were interred sometime during
the early historic period or later (post-1614 A.D.). Oral tradition and
historic documentation support that the geographic area of Stonington
is within
[[Page 32254]]
the aboriginal and historic homeland of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe.
In 1937, human remains representing one individual from Ecclestone
Site, Mystic, CT were donated to the Peabody Museum from the Department
of Archaeology at Philips Andover Academy in Andover, MA. No known
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are
present.
These human remains were collected in 1922 as part of an expedition
by Warren King Moorehead. Museum documentation indicates that Moorehead
was specifically investigating Native American burial grounds on this
expedition. Museum records indicate the individual was interred
sometime during the contact/early historic period (post-1614 A.D.).
Oral tradition and historic documentation supports the Ecclestone site
as being within the aboriginal and historic homelands of the
Mashantucket Pequot Indians.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Peabody
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology have determined that, pursuant to
43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the
physical remains of four individuals of Native American ancestry.
Officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology have
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship
of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between these
Native American human remains and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe.
In 1937, human remains representing one individual from Norwich, CT
were donated to the Peabody Museum from the Department of Archaeology
at Philips Andover Academy, Andover, MA. No known individual was
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
These human remains were collected in 1922 as part of an expedition
by Warren King Moorehead. Museum documentation indicates Moorehead was
specifically investigating Native American burial grounds on this
expedition. Museum records indicate this individual was interred
sometime during the contact/early historic period (post-1614 A.D.).
Oral tradition and historic documentation support the conclusion that
the geographic area of Norwich falls within the aboriginal and historic
homelands of the Mohegan Indian Tribe.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Peabody
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology have determined that, pursuant to
43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the
physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry.
Officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology have
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship
of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between these
Native American human remains and the Mohegan Indian Tribe.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Mashantucket Pequot
Tribe and the Mohegan Indian Tribe. Representatives of any other Indian
tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human
remains and associated funerary objects should contact Barbara Isaac,
Repatriation Coordinator, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology,
Harvard University, 11 Divinity Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138; telephone:
(617) 495-2254, before July 16, 1999. Repatriation of the human remains
to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Indian Tribe may begin
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations
within this notice.
Dated: June 10, 1999.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager,Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 99-15254 Filed 6-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
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