[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 191 (Monday, October 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58794-58795]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25129]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence, RI

AGENCY: National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), of the intent to repatriate 
cultural items in the possession of the Rhode Island Historical 
Society, Providence, RI that meet the definition of ``unassociated 
funerary object'' under Section 2 of the Act.
    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

[[Page 58795]]

that has control of these cultural items. The National Park Service is 
not responsible for the determinations within this notice.
    The four cultural items are two latten spoons and two small copper 
bells.
    In 1800, these four cultural items were recovered from burials 
during excavations conducted by person(s) unknown at the Burr's Hill 
site, Warren, RI. In 1835, these cultural items were purchased by the 
Rhode Island Historical Society from ``Chesebrough.'' Museum 
documentation identifies these spoons as having come from an Indian 
interment. No further documentation is present.
    Burr's Hill is believed to be located on the southern border of 
Sowams, a Wampanoag village. Sowams is identified in historical 
documents of the 16th and 17th centuries as a Wampanoag village, and 
was ceded to the English in 1653 by Massasoit and his eldest son 
Wamsutta (Alexander). Sporadic finds and excavations have been made at 
this site since the middle of the 19th century through the early 20th 
century. Based the presence of European trade goods and types of 
cultural items, these cultural items have been dated to between A.D. 
1600-1710. Based on accession records and condition of the cultural 
items, these cultural items have been determined to be grave goods.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Rhode 
Island Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(2)(ii), these four cultural items 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 and are believed, by a 
preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from a specific 
burial site of an Native American individual. Officials of the Rhode 
Island Historical Society also 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 items and the Wampanoag Repatriation 
Confederation, representing the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), 
the Mashpee Wampanoag (a non-Federally recognized Indian group), and 
the Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation (a non-Federally recognized 
Indian group). This notice has been sent to officials of the Wampanoag 
Repatriation Confederation, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), 
the Mashpee Wampanoag (a non-Federally recognized Indian group), the 
Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation (a non-Federally recognized Indian 
group), the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island, and the Council 
of Seven/Royal House of Pokanoket/Pokanoket Tribe/Wampanoag Nation (a 
non-Federally recognized Indian group). Representatives of any other 
Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with 
these unassociated funerary objects should contact Linda Eppich, Chief 
Curator, The Rhode Island Historical Society, 110 Benevolent Street, 
Providence, RI 02906, telephone (401) 331-8575, before November 1, 
2000. Repatriation of these unassociated funerary objects to the 
Wampanoag Repatriation Confederation, representing the Wampanoag Tribe 
of Gay Head (Aquinnah), the Mashpee Wampanoag (a non-Federally 
recognized Indian group), and the Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation 
(a non-Federally recognized Indian group) may begin after that date if 
no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: September 21, 2000.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 00-25129 Filed 9-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F