[Federal Register: March 1, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 41)]
[Notices]
[Page 11077]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01mr00-90]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
from Georgia 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 Georgia 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 Arhcaeology and Ethnography professional staff in
consultation with representatives of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma;
the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, Louisiana; and the Mississippi Band
of Choctaw Indians, Mississippi.
In 1959, human remains representing one individual were permanently
loaned to the Peabody Museum by the Warren Anatomical Museum, Harvard
Medical School. No known individual was identified. No associated
funerary objects are present.
Based on museum documentation, these human remains are believed to
have been collected from an unknown location in Georgia, possibly by an
individual names Hoyt. Museum documentation further describes these
human remains as Choctaw. The attribution of such a specific cultural
affiliation to these human remains indicates that the interment post-
dates sustained contact between indigenous groups and Europeans
beginning in the 17th century.
Although these human remains were from an area commonly thought to
be outside traditional Choctaw territory, oral traditions and historic
evidence support cultural affiliation with the Choctaw Nation of
Oklahoma. Representatives of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma have
described wide-ranging population movements by Choctaw individuals from
Georgia. Representatives of the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, Louisiana
and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians of Mississippi have
indicated they were not part of those population movements. Based on
consultation evidence, the condition of the human remains, and the
occupation of this region by Choctaw people, these human remains have
been affiliated solely with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Peabody
Museum of Arhcaeology and Ethnography 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 Ethnography have
also 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 Choctaw Nation of
Oklahoma.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Choctaw Nation of
Oklahoma; the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, Louisiana; and the
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Mississippi. 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 March 31, 2000. Repatriation
of the human remains to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma may begin after
that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: February 9, 2000.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and
Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 00-4826 Filed 2-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
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