[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 15, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 8733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3687]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects from the Titicut Site in Bridgewater, 
MA 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, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d), of 
completion of the inventory of human remains and associated funerary 
objects, presently in the possession of the Robert S. Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA, from the Titicut Site in 
Bridgewater, MA.
    A detailed inventory and assessment of these human remains has been 
made by the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology. Human remains of 
one individual, a ten to twelve year old female, were recovered in 1947 
from the Titicut site. This site is believed to have been occupied for 
several thousand years prior to European Contact. The human remains 
were recovered with glass and shell beads, a felsite biface, an iron 
axe, awl, and knife handle, a large ceramic vessel, several antler 
spoons and hafts, and several whelk shells. The burial can be dated 
between 1600 and 1620, based on the European trade items recovered with 
the individual. This site is located within the aboriginal territory of 
the Wampanoag Tribe at the time of European contact.
    Based on the available archaeological and ethnohistorical evidence, 
as well as the geographical and oral tradition of the Wampanoag people, 
officials of the Robert S. Peabody Museum have determined that pursuant 
to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity 
which can be reasonably traced between these human remains and 
associated funerary objects from the Titicut Site and the Wampanoag 
people. The nearest group of identifiable Wampanoag people are located 
in Mashpee, MA. The Federally recognized Gay Head Wampanoag concur that 
Mashpee is the closest community of Wampanoag people to be identified 
with the Titicut Site. However, the Mashpee Wampanoag are not 
recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided 
by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
    Since the Mashpee Wampanoag are not Federally-recognized, the 
Robert S. Peabody Museum included these remains and associated funerary 
objects on an inventory of ``culturally unidentifiable'' human remains 
and requested the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation 
Act Review Committee's recommendation as to their disposition.
    On December 21, 1994, officials of the Robert S. Peabody Museum 
were formally notified of the recommendation from the Review Committee 
stating that, ``(A)fter careful consideration of the evidence provided 
in your letter and in testimony at their most recent meeting, the 
Review Committee recommends that the Robert S. Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology proceed to repatriate the above mentioned human remains and 
associated funerary objects to the Mashpee Wampanoag.''
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Mashpee Wampanoag 
Tribe. Representatives of any other Indian tribe which believes itself 
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should contact James W. Bradley, Director of the 
Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA 
01810; telephone: (508) 749-4490, before March 17, 1995. Repatriation 
of these human remains and associated funerary objects to the Mashpee 
Wampanoag Tribe may begin after that date if no additional claimants 
come forward.
Dated: February 9, 1995
Francis P. McManamon
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Chief, Archeological Assistance Division
[FR Doc. 95-3687 Filed 2-14-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F