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FR Doc 03-21336
[Federal Register: August 20, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 161)]
[Notices]
[Page 50184-50186]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20au03-84]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion: Springfield Science Museum,
Springfield, MA
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the
completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary
objects in the possession of the Springfield Science Museum,
Springfield, MA. The human remains and associated funerary objects were
removed from various sites in western Massachusetts, including Hampden
and Hampshire Counties.
This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003 (d)(3).
The determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of
the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the
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 Springfield
Science Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives
of the Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin.
The human remains and associated funerary objects are described in
this notice according to county and town, and site location when
available.
Hampden County, MA.
In 1864, human remains representing one individual were removed
from the Fort Hill site (also known as the Long Hill Street site),
Springfield, Hampden County, MA, by local collector Alfred Booth. The
remains were donated to the Springfield Science Museum by Mr. Booth in
the same year. No known individual was identified. No associated
funerary objects are present.
In 1895, human remains representing one individual were removed
from the Fort Hill site (also known as the Long Hill Street site),
Springfield, Hampden County, MA, by L.G. Grant, while excavating for
the cellar of a house. The human remains were donated to the
Springfield Science Museum in 1925 by J.T. Bowne, who had purchased
them from G. Sherman in 1903. No known individual was identified. No
associated funerary objects are present. According to Mr. Bowne's
journal, the human remains were encountered in fireplaces or pits.
The Fort Hill site dates to the Historic period. The settlement was
built in 1666 and was occupied by Native Americans until 1675. The
human remains were probably buried during this time.
In 1899 or before, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from the Crescent Hill site, Springfield,
Hampden County, MA, by Nathan D. Bill. Mr. Bill donated the human
remains to the Springfield Science Museum in 1899. No known individual
was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. At an
unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one individual
were removed from the Crescent Hill site, Springfield, Hampden County,
MA, by an unknown individual and were later acquired by the Springfield
Science Museum. No known individual was identified. No associated
funerary objects are present.
The Crescent Hill site does not have an established chronology, but
it probably dates to the Late Woodland period or early in the Historic
period.
In 1902, human remains representing a minimum of one individual
were removed from the Chapin/Dakin site (also known as West Springfield
Meadows), Hampden County, MA, by Dr. W.H. Chapin and were accessioned
by the Springfield Science Museum in the same year. No known individual
was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
In 1903, human remains representing a minimum of one individual
and, in 1907, human remains representing a minimum of four individuals
were removed from the Chapin/Dakin site (also known as West Springfield
Meadows), Hampden County, MA, by J.T. Bowne and were accessioned by the
Springfield Science Museum in 1925. No known individuals were
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
Local history maintains that an extensive Woodland period
habitation site existed at West Springfield Meadows. Objects found at
the site but not associated with the burials include Levanna-type
projectile points and pottery, which suggest a Middle to Late Woodland
period occupation (A.D. 100-1500).
In 1912 or before, human remains representing a minimum of one
[[Page 50185]]
individual were removed from the north side of Meadow Road, 200 feet
from the State Road (known as the Meadow/State Road site) in
Longmeadow, Hampden County, MA, by R.O. Morris. The Springfield Science
Museum acquired the remains from Mr. Morris in 1912. No known
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
Although the Meadow/State Road site has not been dated, the burial
location and mortuary practices are consistent with Native American
interments found in western Massachusetts during the Late Woodland
period and early in the Historic period.
In 1917 or before, human remains consisting of one complete human
skeleton, representing one individual, were removed from a site on the
Chicopee River opposite the Page-Storm Drop Forge Company, Chicopee,
Hampden County, MA, by F.T. Ley. The Springfield Science Museum
acquired the human remains in 1917. No known individual was identified.
No associated funerary objects are present.
Although this site has not been dated, the burial location and
mortuary practices are consistent with Native American interments found
in western Massachusetts during the Late Woodland period and early in
the Historic period.
In 1917 or before and 1918 or before, human remains consisting of
two partial skeletons, representing a minimum of two individuals, were
removed from the north bank of the Chicopee River at the junction with
the Connecticut River, Chicopee, Hampden County, MA, by F.T. Ley. The
Springfield Science Museum acquired the human remains and associated
funerary objects in 1917 and 1918. No known individuals were
identified. The eight associated funerary objects acquired in 1917 are
one hammer stone, one fire-cracked rock, five flakes, and one
unidentified stone artifact.
Although this site has not been dated, the burial location and
mortuary practices are consistent with Native American interments found
in western Massachusetts during the Late Woodland period and early in
the Historic period.
In 1921 or before, human remains consisting of a partial cranium,
representing one individual, were removed from an unknown site in
Hampden County, MA, by local collector E H. Barney. The Springfield
Science Museum acquired the human remains from Mr. Barney in 1921. No
known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are
present.
Although there is no age information contained in the museum
records, the condition of the human remains suggests a Late Woodland or
later date (post-A.D. 1000).
In 1923 or before, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from the bank of the Agawam River, Agawam,
Hampden County, MA, by A.C. Yost. The remains were donated to the
Springfield Science Museum by Mr. Yost in 1923. No known individual was
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
Although this site has not been dated, the burial location and
mortuary practices are consistent with Native American interments found
in western Massachusetts during the Late Woodland period and early in
the Historic period.
In 1925 or before, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from the Smith Farm site, South Hadley Falls,
Hampden County, MA, by local collector W.B. Sturtevant. The remains
were donated to the Springfield Science Museum by Mr. Sturtevant in
1925. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary
objects are present. The bones are stained green from the presence of
copper in the burial, suggesting that this was an Adena burial dating
to the Early Woodland period (1000-200 B.C.).
In 1933 or before, human remains representing a minimum of two
individuals were removed from the west end of the South End Bridge,
Springfield, Hampden County, MA, by an unknown collector. The remains
were donated to the Springfield Science Museum by the W.H. Graham
Corporation in 1933. No known individuals were identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
Although this site has not been dated, the burial location and
mortuary practices are consistent with Native American interments found
in western Massachusetts during the Late Woodland period and early in
the Historic period.
At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from the grounds of the Page-Storm Drop Forge
Company, Chicopee, Hampden County, MA, by an unknown person. The
Springfield Science Museum acquired the human remains from Mrs. F.
Storm in 1937. No known individual was identified. No associated
funerary objects are present.
Although this site has not been dated, the burial location and
mortuary practices are consistent with Native American interments found
in western Massachusetts during the Late Woodland period and early in
the Historic period.
At an unknown date during the 1940s, human remains representing a
minimum of one individual were removed from the Alsing's Rock Shelter
site in Wilbraham, Hampden County, MA, by H. Morhman. The Springfield
Science Museum acquired the human remains and associated funerary
objects from Mr. Morhman in 1977. No known individual was identified.
The 132 associated funerary objects are 47 charcoal fragments, 1 rodent
tooth, 61 burned animal bone fragments, 8 wood fragments, 1 quartz
Levanna point, 8 shell fragments, 1 quartzite flake, and 5 stone core
fragments. The quartz Levanna point suggests that the site dates to the
Late Woodland period (A.D. 1000-1500).
In 1975 or before, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from 943 Main Street, Agawam, Hampden County,
MA, by H.A. Briggs. The Springfield Science Museum acquired the human
remains and associated funerary objects from Mr. Briggs in 1975. No
known individual was identified. The nine associated funerary objects
are flint blades.
Although this site has not been dated, the burial location and
mortuary practices are consistent with Native American interments found
in western Massachusetts during the Late Woodland period and early in
the Historic period.
In the 1960s, human remains representing a minimum of 49
individuals were removed from the Guida Farm site, Westfield, Hampden
County, MA, by W.R. Young. The Springfield Science Museum acquired the
human remains and associated funerary objects from Mr. Young in 1979.
No known individuals were identified. The 126 associated funerary
objects are 1 adze blade tip; 46 charcoal pieces; 17 faunal fragments;
11 chert, quartz, quartzite, and basalt flakes; 1 burned nut hull; 1
quartzite projectile point; 2 igneous rock fragments; and 47 cord-
marked, incised, and undecorated pottery sherds.
The Guida Farm site is described by Douglas S. Byers and Irving
Rouse in a Bulletin of the Archaeological Society of Connecticut
article published in 1960 as a habitation site with burial components
dating from the Early Woodland through the Late Woodland period (circa
1000 B.C.-A.D. 1500).
Hampshire County, MA.
In 1957, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals
were removed from the Fort River site, Hadley, Hampshire County, MA, by
W.R. Young. The remains were
[[Page 50186]]
accessioned by the Springfield Science Museum in 1979. No known
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are
present.
Although the Fort River site has not been dated, the burial
location and mortuary practices are consistent with Native American
interments found in western Massachusetts during the Late Woodland
period and early in the Historic period.
At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from a site in North Hadley, Hampshire County,
MA, by an unknown collector. The Springfield Science Museum acquired
the remains in 1975 from an unknown person. No known individual was
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
Although this site has not been dated, the burial location and
mortuary practices are consistent with Native American interments found
in western Massachusetts during the Late Woodland period and early in
the Historic period.
At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from a burial site in North Hadley, Hampshire
County, MA, by W.R. Young. The year in which the Springfield Science
Museum acquired the human remains and associated funerary object is
uncertain, but it may have been 1979. No known individual was
identified. The one associated funerary object is a retouched flake.
Although this site has not been dated, the burial location and
mortuary practices are consistent with Native American interments found
in western Massachusetts during the Late Woodland period and early in
the Historic period.
In 1986 or before, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from site 19-HS-276, in North Hatfield,
Hampshire County, MA, by W.S. Rodimon. The Springfield Science Museum
acquired the human remains from Mr. Rodimon in 1986. No known
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
Although site 19-HS-276 has not been dated, the burial location and
mortuary practices are consistent with Native American interments found
in western Massachusetts during the Late Woodland period and early in
the Historic period.
In 1996, human remains representing a minimum of one individual
were removed from a site at South Hadley Falls, Hampshire County, MA,
by C.S. Allen. The Springfield Science Museum acquired the human
remains and associated funerary objects from Mr. Allen in the same
year. No known individual was identified. The 45 associated funerary
objects are copper beads. The presence of copper beads suggests that
the burial is Adena, dating the site to the Early Woodland period
(circa 1000-200 B.C.).
At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from a site in North Amherst, Hampshire County,
MA, by an unknown collector. It is unknown how and when the Springfield
Science Museum acquired the human remains. No known individual was
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
Although this site has not been dated, the burial location and
mortuary practices are consistent with Native American interments found
in western Massachusetts during the Late Woodland period and early in
the Historic period.
Western Massachusetts.
In 1917 or before, human remains consisting of two crania,
representing two individuals, were removed from an unknown site in
western Massachusetts by an unknown individual. The Springfield Science
Museum acquired the human remains in 1917 by unknown means. No known
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are
present.
Although there is no age information contained in the museum
records, the condition of the human remains suggests a Late Woodland
period or later date (post-A.D. 1000).
At unknown dates, human remains representing a minimum of four
individuals were removed from unknown sites in western Massachusetts by
unknown collectors. It is unknown how and when the Springfield Science
Museum acquired the human remains. No known individuals were
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
Although there is no age information contained in the museum
records, the condition of the human remains suggests a Late Woodland
period or later date (post-A.D. 1000).
Based on historic documentation, geographic location of the
burials, and oral history, the human remains and associated funerary
objects described above are most likely to be culturally affiliated
with the present-day Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin. All of
the western Massachusetts sites described above lie within the known
homeland of the Mohican Indians. Occupation of the area by the Mohican
Indians is well documented for the Historic period, and Mohican oral
history maintains that there is also prehistoric occupation in the
Hudson and Connecticut River Valleys. The Mohican Indians are
represented today by the Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin.
Officials of the Springfield Science Museum have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains described above
represent the physical remains of 84 individuals of Native American
ancestry. Officials of the Springfield Science Museum also have
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the 321 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 Springfield Science
Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a
relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced
between the Native American human remains and associated funerary
objects and the Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary
objects should contact David Stier, Director, Springfield Science
Museum, 220 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103, telephone (413) 263-
6800, extension 321, before September 19, 2003. Repatriation of the
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Stockbridge Munsee
Community, Wisconsin may proceed after that date if no additional
claimants come forward.
The Springfield Science Museum is responsible for notifying the
Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin that this notice has been
published.
Dated: July 10, 2003.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources.
[FR Doc. 03-21336 Filed 8-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S
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