[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 45 (Monday, March 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11452-11453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5918]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects from Westerly, RI 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 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

[[Page 11453]]

remains and associated funerary objects from Westerly, RI in the 
possession of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence, RI.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Rhode Island 
Historical Society, Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, and the Public 
Archaeology Lab professional staffs in consultation with 
representatives of Narragansett Indian Tribe.
    In 1835, human remains representing one individual (a hair lock) 
were recovered from a railhead site in Westerly, RI and sold to the 
Rhode Island Historical Society by Mr. Chesebrough. No known 
individuals were identified. The three associated funerary objects 
include a string of beads, wampum, and a wampum shell bracelet.
    Based on funerary objects, this railhead site has been determined 
to be a Narragansett burial site during the historic period 
(approximately 16th century until the late 1600s). Historical documents 
and archeological evidence indicates this area was occupied by the 
Narragansett Indian Tribe during this period.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Rhode 
Island Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of one individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Rhode 
Island Historical Society have also determined that, pursuant to 25 
U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the three 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 Rhode Island Historical Society 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 Native American human remains and associated funerary 
objects and the Narragansett Indian Tribe.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Narragansett Indian 
Tribe. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself 
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should contact Linda Eppich, Curator, or Albert T. 
Klyberg, Director, Rhode Island Historical Society, 110 Benevolent St., 
Providence, RI 02906, telephone (401) 331-8575, before April 8, 1998. 
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects to 
the Narragansett Indian Tribe may begin after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
    The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations 
within this notice.
Dated: March 3, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-5918 Filed 3-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F