[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 27, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56485-56488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19268]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: New York State Museum, Albany, NY

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 New York State Museum, Albany, NY. The 
human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from Fulton 
and Montgomery Counties, NY.
    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 in 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 in this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by New York 
State Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives of 
the Akwesasne Library & Museum; Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, 
Akwesasne; and St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York.
    In 1925, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals 
were removed from the Sand Hill site, NYSM Site <greek-i>1191, 
approximately 1.25 miles northwest of Fort Plain, Minden Township, 
Montgomery County, NY, by New York State Museum staff. The human 
remains were encountered during construction of Route 5S and removed 
from burials during salvage excavations. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Three separate components are represented at the Sand Hill site. 
The earliest component dates to the Oak Hill Phase (A.D. 1300-1400). 
The middle component dates to the historic period based on diagnostic 
artifacts and could be the Mohawk village of Cawaoge, visited by Harmen 
Meyndertsen Van den Bogaert in A.D. 1634-1635. The latest component is 
also historic and dates to the 18th century. The human remains 
accessioned into the New York State Museum from this site were not 
associated with a specific occupational component although the presence 
of brass trade kettles suggests the human remains date to one of the 
historic components. Brass trade kettles are noted in museum records as 
artifacts that avocational archeologists had collected at the site. 
These items are not in the possession of New York State Museum.
    In the 1930s, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from the Otstungo site (also known as Cnj 1-1), 
NYSM Site <greek-i>1156, in Minden Township, Montgomery County, NY, by 
avocational archeologist James R. Burggraf. The fragmentary human 
remains were found on the rear slope of the site. In 1994, the New York 
State Museum acquired the human remains from Mr. Burggraf's estate. No 
known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    The Otstungo site is a large, palisaded village site located on a 
steep ridge above Otstungo Creek. Recent investigations identified 
evidence of at least ten longhouses, a ditch, and a palisade. 
Radiocarbon dates, pottery analyses, and the lack of European trade 
goods at the site suggests the Otstungo site is characteristic of the 
Chance Phase, A.D. 1450-1525.
    In 1935, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from the Frank Jenks Farm, St. Johnsville Township, 
Montgomery County, NY, by unknown persons. The human remains were given 
to Ms. May L. Youker, historian of St. Johnsville. Ms. Youker donated 
the human remains to the New York State Museum later that same year 
(Accession No. A1935.64). No known individual was identified. The two 
associated funerary objects are one brass kettle and one portion of a 
small castellated ceramic pot.
    The nature of the site, whether habitation or cemetery, is unknown. 
The style of the pot found in the burial is typical of the post-
European contact period manufacture and is similar to ceramics from 
other Mohawk sites dating to the early 17th century. The flange on the 
brass kettle also dates the burial to A.D. 1610-1620.
    In 1932 or 1933, human remains representing a minimum of three 
individuals were removed from the Oak Hill site (also known as Cnj 2-
1), NYSM Site <greek-i>1186, near Fort Plain in Minden Township, 
Montgomery County, NY, by unknown persons. In 2000, the human remains 
were acquired by the New York State Museum from an anonymous donor. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    The Oak Hill site is a multi-component site comprised of a village 
area with three associated cemeteries. The Oak Hill site has been dated 
to circa A.D. 1635-1646, based on reports of diagnostic artifacts found 
at the site and in some of the burials, such as pottery vessels, kaolin 
pipe fragments, and glass beads. These items are not in the possession 
of New York State Museum.
    In 1935 and 1947, human remains representing a minimum of two 
individuals were removed from the Jackson-Everson site, St. Johnsville 
Township, Montgomery County, NY, by Donald Lenig and Earl Casler. In 
1950, Mr. Lenig donated the human remains to the New York State Museum. 
No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects 
are present.
    The Jackson-Everson site was a habitation site and cemetery. The 
Euroamerican objects from the site suggest that the site was inhabited 
circa A.D. 1655-1679. Analysis of ceramics from the site suggests that 
the resident population was probably Huron. This evidence suggests that 
the site was inhabited by Attignawantan Huron immigrants who were 
persuaded to move to the Mohawk Valley after the destruction of their 
confederacy in 1650 by the Iroquois. By 1779, the Huron had long been 
assimilated into Mohawk culture and had traveled with them to Canada or 
to the south side of the Saint Lawrence River, and are represented

[[Page 56486]]

today by the St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York.
    In 1943 and 1955, human remains representing a minimum of 13 
individuals were removed from the Auriesville/Latchford site (also 
known as Fda 5), NYSM Site <greek-i>1087, Glen Township, Montgomery 
County, NY. The 1943 excavation was conducted by Brother McGuiness. The 
1955 excavation was conducted by Father Latchford. In 1955, Father 
Clifford M. Lewis and Father Thomas Grassman donated the human remains 
to the New York State Museum. No known individuals were identified. The 
233 associated funerary objects are 92 coffin nail fragments and 141 
coffin fragments.
    Funerary objects found with the human remains excavated in 1943, 
but not donated to the New York State Museum, consisted of objects of 
Native American origin, such as tubular shell wampum, and objects of 
Euroamerican origin, such as glass beads. The beads are characteristic 
of types manufactured during the first quarter of the 18th century. 
Additional funerary objects found with the human remains consisted of 
coffin fragments. Individuals from both excavations were interred in 
coffins, but only the associated funerary objects from the 1955 
excavation were donated to the New York State Museum. Based on the 
existence of historic artifacts and method of burial, the occupation of 
the Auriesville/Latchford site is determined to be A.D. 1700-1725.
    In 1950, human remains representing a minimum of three individuals 
were removed from the Klemme site (also known as Cnj. 42-1), NYSM Site 
<greek-i>1176, near Charlesworth Corners in Minden Township, Montgomery 
County, NY, during excavations by Donald Lenig and Earl Casler. The 
remains of one individual were donated to the New York State Museum by 
Mr. Lenig at an unknown time, but most likely soon after the 
excavation. In 2000, the remains of the two other individuals were 
donated by an anonymous donor. No known individuals were identified. 
The three associated funerary objects are one pottery sherd and two 
glass beads.
    The Klemme site is located on a small knoll across a brook from the 
Crouse site (also known as the Krouse site, Cnj 14). The Crouse site is 
a historically known Mohawk habitation site and was visited in A.D. 
1634 by Harmen Meyndertsen Van den Bogaert, who documented the site 
name as Tenotoge. Funerary objects date the Klemme site to the same 
time period as the Crouse site, which is determined to be A.D. 1625-
1635.
    In 1953, human remains representing a minimum of six individuals 
were removed from the Schoharie site (also known as the Fort Hunter 
Bridge site), approximately 100 yards from the east bank of the 
Schoharie Creek in Glen Township, Montgomery County, NY, by Father 
Clifford M. Lewis of the Auriesville Shrine. Father Lewis salvaged the 
human remains after the site was disturbed during road construction and 
looting had already occurred. In 1955, the human remains were donated 
to the New York State Museum by Father Thomas Grassman. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    Eyewitness accounts indicated the individuals were buried in 
extended positions, possibly in wooden coffins. Funerary objects 
typical of contemporary Native American burial practices, such as glass 
beads and religious medals, were reportedly looted from the graves at 
the time of their discovery. Although there are no funerary objects in 
the New York State Museum collection from the Schoharie site, museum 
records indicate that Father Lewis found tiny white seed beads with the 
human remains. The Schoharie site is located near the ``Lower Mohawk 
Castle'', a Mohawk settlement, also known as ``Tionondoroge'' or 
``Tehandaloga,'' near Fort Hunter, NY. Fort Hunter was built by the 
British to protect the local Mohawk community, and was occupied from 
A.D. 1713-1779. Based on the age of diagnostic European trade goods, 
the site probably dates to A.D. 1720-1750. Given the age of the 
Schoharie site and its proximity to Fort Hunter, the two sites are 
probably associated.
    In 1953, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals 
were removed from the Brown site (also known as Cnj 55), NYSM Site 
<greek-i>1204, in Canajoharie Township, Montgomery County, NY, by 
Donald Lenig and Earl Casler. Mr. Lenig donated the human remains to 
the New York State Museum later that same year. No known individuals 
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    The Brown site is a cemetery site. Glass beads and earthenware 
pottery found with other burials at the Brown site suggest the site 
utilization dates to circa A.D. 1650-1660. These items were not donated 
to the New York State Museum. The styles of pottery found are 
consistent with ceramic traditions practiced by the Mohawk during this 
time period.
    In 1957, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from the Getman site (also known as Cnj 25), NYSM Site 
<greek-i>1200, near East Stone Arabia in Palatine Township, Montgomery 
County, NY, by William A. Ritchie and James V. Wright, during 
excavations sponsored by the New York State Museum. No known individual 
was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Excavation revealed post molds, a probable longhouse, and sections 
of a stockade. One individual is represented by a single deciduous 
tooth found within a post mold in a disturbed area of a house floor. 
Based on information provided during consultation, it is presumed that 
the tooth was intentionally placed in the posthole. There was no 
indication of a presence of a cemetery. On the basis of radiocarbon 
dates the site is dated to the Late Chance Horizon (A.D. 1300-1400), 
which is the middle prehistoric stage of Mohawk and Iroquois cultural 
development.
    From 1960 to 1962, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from the Galligan II site (also known as 
Cnj.90-1), along the Otsquago Creek in Minden Township, Montgomery 
County, NY, during test excavations by a group attempting to locate the 
remains of a Revolutionary War era fort. In 2000, the human remains 
were donated by an anonymous donor to the New York State Museum. No 
known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    The cemetery at the Galligan II site may have been associated with 
a nearby village site located on the opposite side of Otsquago Creek 
known as the Prospect Hill site. The Prospect Hill site was the main 
Mohawk village in the early 18th century. This Mohawk village is where 
many Mohawks moved following a raid by the French in A.D. 1693. 
Artifacts found at the Galligan II site have been used to date the site 
to approximately A.D. 1693-1755.
    In 1962, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from the Garoga site (also known as Las. 7), NYSM Site 
<greek-i>2332, east of the Garoga Creek in Ephratah Township, Fulton 
County, NY, by New York State Museum staff. The fragmentary human 
remains were found in the plow zone. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    The Garoga site was a palisaded village with several longhouses. On 
the basis of cultural material held in the New York State Museum from 
excavations at the site, and radiocarbon dates, the site is dated to 
A.D. 1520-1590.
    In 1965, human remains representing a minimum of three individuals 
were removed from the Van Evera-McKinny

[[Page 56487]]

site (CNJ. 51), NYSM Site <greek-i>1232, Root Township, Montgomery 
County, NY, by Donald Lenig and Wayne Lenig. The human remains were 
donated to the New York State Museum at an unknown date after the 
excavation. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    The Van Evera-McKinney site is a habitation site with three 
occupational components. The first occupational component is an early 
Mohawk village dating to circa A.D. 1635-1645. The second occupation 
component is an early Owasco component dating to circa. A.D. 1100-1300. 
The third component is an Euroamerican occupation dating to the 
Revolutionary War period. The human remains are associated with the 
A.D. 1635-1645 occupation based on the reported presence of an iron axe 
and a brass mouth harp in one of the burials. These cultural items are 
not in the possession of the New York State Museum.
    In 1968, human remains representing a minimum of 17 individuals 
were removed from the Rice's Wood site (NYSM Site <greek-i>1201), 
Palatine, Montgomery County, NY, during excavations by Dr. Robert E. 
Funk, New York State Museum staff. The site is located on a ridge 
overlooking the Knauderack Creek, two miles north of the Mohawk River. 
No known individuals were identified. The 3,275 associated funerary 
objects are 3,196 glass beads, 1 fragmented amber bead, 2 copper bead 
fragments, 1 beaver mandible and teeth fragments, 16 raspberry seeds, 4 
squash seeds, 1 berry seed, 1 unidentified fruit seed, 1 modified bone 
fragment, 6 glass buttons, 17 oval shell beads, 1 fragmented brass 
kettle with a sample of preserved organic material and unmodified bone 
fragment, 2 castellated pottery vessels with effigy figures, 1 chain 
link fragment, 1 handle of a pewter spoon, 1 bone comb, 1 pewter spoon 
fragment, 1 brass crotal bell, 1 iron awl, 1 castellated pottery 
vessel, 6 fragmentary pottery vessels, 1 groundstone pestle, 1 bone 
bird effigy, 1 projectile point, 2 worked columella fragments, 1 
cordage fragment, 1 fragmented pewter and glass case bottle, 1 
fragmented unidentified pewter object, 1 rolled copper ornament with 
preserved thong and organic material, 1 metal fragment, and 1 soil 
sample.
    The Rice's Wood site consists of a village and associated cemetery 
circa A.D. 1600-1620 based on the types of funerary objects found with 
the human remains.
    In 1970, human remains representing two individuals were removed 
from the Klock site (also known as Las. 8-4), NYSM Site <greek-i>2333, 
in Ephratah Township, Fulton County, NY, by Dr. Robert E. Funk, New 
York State Museum staff. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Excavation results indicate that the Klock site was a palisaded 
habitation site on a ridge overlooking Caroga Creek. The human remains, 
consisting of burned cranial fragments, were found in refuse pits in 
the habitation area. The material culture from the habitation area 
suggests that the site was inhabited circa A.D. 1524-1580.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of seven 
individuals were removed from the Wormuth site (also known as the 
Talarico site and Cnj 87-2), NYSM Site <greek-i>4017, on the north side 
of the Mohawk River in Palatine Township, Montgomery County, NY, by 
unknown persons. In 2000, New York State Museum acquired the human 
remains from an anonymous donor. No known individuals were identified. 
No associated funerary objects are present.
    The Wormuth site is a multi-component site with evidence of 
occupations from the 14th century Oak Hill phase (A.D. 1300-1400), the 
Chance phase (circa A.D. 1400-1525), and the protohistoric period 
(circa A.D. 1550). The human remains probably date to the period A.D. 
1450-1525 based on the preponderance of diagnostic artifacts and 
radiocarbon dates.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of four 
individuals were removed from the Mitchell site (also known as Cnj 49-
2), NYSM Site <greek-i>1248, located in Root Township, Montgomery 
County, NY, by unknown persons. In 2000, the New York State Museum 
acquired the human remains from an anonymous donor. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    The Mitchell site is a large village and associated cemetery. Based 
on the types of European trade goods found at the site, it has been 
dated to circa A.D. 1646-1666. The large size of the site and the dates 
of occupation suggest it may have been the location of a central Mohawk 
``castle'' and was probably among the villages destroyed by the Marquis 
De Tracy in the French attack in A.D. 1666. A Mohawk ``castle'' is a 
large palisaded Mohawk settlement.
    Historical evidence and oral history indicates that the seventeen 
sites from Fulton and Montgomery Counties, NY, are located in a region 
that was traditionally occupied by the Mohawk Indians and the sites are 
within the aboriginal lands of the Mohawk. Archeological evidence, 
based on ceramics and other diagnostic artifacts, indicate that the 
sites were inhabited during Mohawk occupation of the region. The human 
remains and associated funerary objects from the sites in Fulton and 
Montgomery Counties, NY, are determined to be culturally affiliated 
with the present-day descendants of the Mohawk represented by the 
Akwesasne Mohawk community composed of the Mohawk Nation Council of 
Chiefs and St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York.
    Officials of the New York State Museum have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains described above 
represent the physical remains of 69 individuals of Native American 
ancestry. Officials of the New York State Museum also have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C 3001 (3)(A), the 3,513 objects described 
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 New York State 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 Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, Akwesasne and St. 
Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact Lisa M. Anderson, NAGPRA Coordinator, New York 
State Museum, 3122 Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230, 
telephone (518) 486-2020, before [thirty days after publication in the 
Federal Register]. Repatriation of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects to the St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York, 
representing the Akwesasne Mohawk community composed of the Mohawk 
Nation Council of Chiefs, Akwesasne and St. Regis Band of Mohawk 
Indians of New York may proceed after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.
    New York State Museum is responsible for notifying the Akwesasne 
Library & Museum; Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, Akwesasne; and St. 
Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York that this notice has been 
published.


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    Dated: August 23, 2005.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 05-19268 Filed 9-26-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S