[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 86 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22248-22250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11141]


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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 Museum of 
Natural History and Planetarium, Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI

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 Museum of Natural History and 
Planetarium, Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI.
    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 Museum of 
Natural History and Planetarium professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island 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).

[[Page 22249]]

    In 1899, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from Jamestown, RI, by James H. Clarke and donated to the Museum of 
Natural History and Planetarium. No known individual was identified. 
The two associated funerary objects are an iron axe fragment and an 
animal bone fragment.
    Based on red ochre and copper staining on the human remains, this 
individual has been determined to be Native American from the contact 
period. Based on physical evidence and geographic/provenience 
information, this individual has been determined to be culturally 
affiliated with the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island 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).
    Before May 1939, human remains representing two individuals were 
recovered from Old Warwick, near Wharf Road, East Greenwich, RI, by 
Lincoln C. Bateson, who donated these human remains to the Museum of 
Natural History and Planetarium in May 1939. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on museum documentation and physical evidence, these 
individuals have been identified as Native American. Based on physical 
evidence and geographic/provenience information, these individuals have 
been determined to be culturally affiliated with the Narragansett 
Indian Tribe of Rhode Island 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).
    In 1854, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from the Stone Bridge Inn site (RI 1947), Tiverton, RI, by person(s) 
unknown, and donated to the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium 
in 1903. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    Based on museum documentation and physical evidence, this 
individual has been identified as Native American. Based on physical 
evidence and geographic/provenience information, this individual has 
been determined to be culturally affiliated with the Narragansett 
Indian Tribe of Rhode Island 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).
    In 1927, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from London Street, East Greenwich, RI, and donated to the Museum of 
Natural History and Planetarium by W.E. Crease. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Accession information states these human remains were ``dug up on 
London Street, 10 feet deep.'' Based on museum documentation and 
physical evidence, this individual has been identified as Native 
American. Based on physical evidence and geographic/provenience 
information, this individual has been determined to be culturally 
affiliated with the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island 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).
    In 1936, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from Melrose Street, West Ferry site, Jamestown, RI, by Roy Johnson, 
Louis Watson, and others. In 1937, these human remains were donated to 
the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium by Mr. Johnson. No known 
individual was identified. The one associated funerary object is a 
blanket fragment.
    Based on museum documentation and physical evidence, this 
individual has been identified as Native American. Based on physical 
evidence, consultation with tribal representatives, and geographic/
provenience information, this individual has been determined to be 
culturally affiliated with the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode 
Island 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).
    In 1894, human remains representing three individuals were 
recovered from the Burr's Hill Burial Ground, Warren, RI, by A.T. 
Vaughn, who donated these remains to the Museum of Natural History and 
Planetarium in 1900. No known individuals were identified. Museum 
documentation indicates that ``curios'' were found with these human 
remains, and were transferred in 1913 to the Heye Foundation (now the 
National Museum of the American Indian) as part of an exchange. No 
associated funerary objects are now present in the collections of the 
Museum of Natural History and Planetarium.
    Based on skeletal morphology and extensive copper staining, these 
individuals have been identified as Native American from the 17th 
century. Based on physical evidence, consultation with tribal 
representatives, and geographic/provenience information, these 
individuals have been determined to be culturally affiliated with the 
Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island 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).
    In 1894, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from Jamestown, RI, by A.T. Vaughn of the Antiquarian Society of 
Warren, RI. In 1900, these human remains were donated by Mr. Vaughn to 
the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium. No known individual was 
identified. The four associated funerary objects are fragments of bark, 
hair, iron, and cloth that are adhered to the human remains.
    Based on skeletal morphology and extensive copper staining, this 
individual has been identified as Native American from the contact or 
proto-historic period. Based on physical evidence, consultation with 
tribal representatives, and geographic/provenience information, this 
individual has been determined to be culturally affiliated with the 
Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island 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).
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Museum 
of Natural History and Planetarium have determined that, pursuant to 43 
CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical 
remains of 10 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the 
Museum of Natural History and Planetarium also have determined that, 
pursuant to 43

[[Page 22250]]

CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the seven 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 Museum of Natural History and Planetarium 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 
Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island 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 Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island 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). Representatives of any other 
Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with 
these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact 
Marilyn Massaro, Curator of Collections, Museum of Natural History and 
Planetarium, Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI 02905, telephone (401) 
785-9457, before June 4, 2001. Repatriation of the human remains and 
associated funerary objects to the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode 
Island 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) may begin 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: April 11, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-11141 Filed 5-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F