[Federal Register: November 21, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 225)]
[Notices]
[Page 58522-58523]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21no01-142]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Robert S.
Peabody Museum of Archaeology, Andover, MA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

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 Robert S. Peabody Museum of
Archaeology, Andover, MA.
    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 was made by the Robert
S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology professional staff in consultation
with representatives of the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians of Maine,
Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians of Maine, Passamaquoddy Tribe of
Maine, and Penobscot Tribe of Maine.
    In 1956, human remains representing one individual were recovered
from the Pond Island site in Deer Isle, Hancock County, ME, by Douglas
Byers under the auspices of the Robert S. Peabody Museum of
Archaeology. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary
objects are present.
    The Pond Island site was occupied 2150-950 B.P./150 B.C.-A.D. 1050
(Middle Ceramic period) based on ceramic assemblages from the site.
Cultural continuity is evident in Maine from the Middle Ceramic period
through the Late Ceramic period based on ceramic assemblages, and
maritime technologies and settlement patterns.
    In 1913, human remains representing one individual were recovered
from the Boynton's Shellheap in Lamoine, Hancock County, ME, by Warren
K. Moorehead and Charles Peabody under the auspices of the Robert S.
Peabody Museum of Archaeology. No known individual was identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
    The Boynton Shellheap site was occupied from the Middle to the Late
Ceramic periods (2150-500 B.P./150 B.C.-A.D. 1500) based on artifact
assemblages recovered from the site. Cultural continuity is evident in
Maine from the Middle Ceramic period through the Late Ceramic period
based on ceramic assemblages, and maritime technologies and settlement
patterns.
    In 1912, human remains representing five individual were recovered
from the Mason's Cemetery site in Orland, Hancock County, ME, by
Frances Manning and Warren Moorehead under the auspices of the Robert
S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology. No known individuals were identified.
The 20 associated funerary objects are 2 perforated ground stone
cylinders; 1 large chipped stone biface; 1 polishing stone; 1 possible
mini celt; 1 rock; 1 lot of burned earth; 1 lot of organics and copper
fragments; 1 lot of soil and charcoal matrix; 1 lot of soil, charcoal,
organics, and ochre matrix; 1 lot of charcoal, organics, and copper
beads; 6 lots of charcoal, organics, and copper fragments; and 2 lots
of charcoal.The Mason's Cemetery site has been dated to the later part
of the Early Ceramic period (3150-2150 B.P./1150-150 B.C.) based on
artifact assemblages from the site and radiocarbon dating. Though there
are some discontinuities between the Early Ceramic and the Middle
Ceramic periods in Maine, it seems that the continuities in the
archeological record between these periods are stronger than not.
Although burial treatment and exchange relations do differ from later
periods, maritime technologies, settlement patterns and seasonal
occupations are more continuous than not from the Early to Late Ceramic
periods. In addition, ceramic technology and morphology indicate
gradual change rather than population replacement.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of Robert S.
Peabody Museum of Archaeology have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR
10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical
remains of seven individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of
the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology also have determined that,
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 20 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 Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology
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 associated funerary
objects and the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians of Maine, Houlton Band
of Maliseet Indians of Maine, Passamaquoddy Tribe of Maine, and
Penobscot Tribe of Maine.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Aroostook Band of
Micmac Indians of Maine, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians of Maine,
Passamaquoddy Tribe of Maine, and Penobscot Tribe of Maine.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be
culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary
objects should

[[Page 58523]]

contact Malinda Blustain, Acting Director or Leah Rosenmeier, Director
of External Programs, Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology, Phillips
Academy, Andover, MA 01810, telephone (978) 749-4490 before December 21
2001. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects
to the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians of Maine, Houlton Band of
Maliseet Indians of Maine, Passamaquoddy Tribe of Maine, and Penobscot
Tribe of Maine may begin after that date if no additional claimants
come forward.

    Dated: October 15, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-29096 Filed 11-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S