[Federal Register: December 22, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 247)]
[Notices]
[Page 80956-80957]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22de00-116]

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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 Connecticut in the Possession of
the Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, CT

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 and associated
funerary objects in the possession of the Peabody Museum of Natural
History, Yale University, New Haven, CT.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2 (c). The
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these Native
American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations within this
notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains and associated funerary
objects was made by Peabody Museum of Natural History professional
staff in consultation with representatives of the Mashantucket Pequot
Tribe.
    In 1873, human remains representing one individual were donated to
the Peabody Museum of Natural History by J. D. Fish. The remains were
recovered near Mystic, CT. No known individual was identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on the documentary evidence, examination of the human
remains, and consultation with representatives of the Mashantucket
Pequot Tribe, this individual is identified as Native American. The
remains appear to be prehistoric or protohistoric in age. Cultural
affiliation has been determined on the basis of geographic origin of
the remains, physical characteristics that identify them as Native
American, published accounts of the traditional territory of the
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, and historical information provided by the
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. Historical documents indicate that the
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe has occupied the area where the remains were
recovered since the Late Woodland period, circa A.D. 1000.
    In 1874, human remains representing three individuals were donated
to the Peabody Museum of Natural History by Mrs. E. O. Dunning. The
remains were recovered near Mystic, CT. No known individuals were
identified. The one associated funerary object is a metal spoon.
    Based on the documentary evidence, examination of the human
remains, and consultation with representatives of the Mashantucket
Pequot Tribe, these individuals are identified as Native American. The
remains and the spoon probably date to the period of Euro-American
contact. Cultural affiliation has been determined on the basis of
geographic origin of the remains, physical characteristics that
identify them as Native American, published accounts of the traditional
territory of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, and historical information
provided by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. Historical documents
indicate that the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe has occupied the area where
the remains were recovered since the Late Woodland period, circa A.D.
1000.
    In 1948, human remains representing one individual was donated to
the Peabody Museum of Natural History by Eva Butler. The remains were
recovered near Groton, CT, on the property of the Spicer Ice and Coal
Co. during excavation for a drain. No known individual was identified.
No associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on the documentary evidence, examination of the human
remains, and consultation with representatives of the Mashantucket
Pequot Tribe, this individual is identified as Native American. The
remains appear to be prehistoric or protohistoric in age. Cultural
affiliation has been determined on the basis of geographic origin of
the remains, physical characteristics that identify them as Native
American, published accounts of the traditional territory of the
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, and historical information provided by the
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. Historical documents indicate that the
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe has occupied the area where the remains were
recovered since the Late Woodland period, circa A.D. 1000.

[[Page 80957]]

    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Peabody
Museum of Natural History have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains
of five individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the
Peabody Museum of Natural History also have determined that, pursuant
to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the one object listed above is reasonably
believed to have been placed with or near individual human remains at
the time of death or later as a part of the death rite or ceremony.
Lastly, officials of the Peabody Museum of Natural History have
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship
of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between these
Native American human remains and the associated funerary object and
the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Mashantucket Pequot
Tribe. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and the associated
funerary object should contact Dr. Richard Burger, Director, Peabody
Museum of Natural History, Yale University, 170 Whitney Avenue, P.O.
Box 208118, New Haven, CT 06520-8118, telephone (203) 432-3752, before
January 22, 2001. Repatriation of the human remains and the associated
funerary object to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe may begin after that
date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: December 14, 2000.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 00-32659 Filed 12-21-00; 8:45 am]
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