83 FR 7763 - Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, NJ

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 36 (February 22, 2018)

The New Jersey State Museum, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural items listed in this notice meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim these cultural items should submit a written request to the New Jersey State Museum. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural items to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 36 (Thursday, February 22, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7763-7764]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03633]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0024980; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: New Jersey State 
Museum, Trenton, NJ

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The New Jersey State Museum, in consultation with the 
appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has 
determined that the cultural items listed in this notice meet the 
definition of unassociated funerary objects. Lineal descendants or 
representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not 
identified in this notice that wish to claim these cultural items 
should submit a written request to the New Jersey State Museum. If no 
additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural 
items to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian 
organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or 
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
claim these cultural items should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the New Jersey State Museum at 
the address in this notice by March 26, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Gregory D. Lattanzi, Bureau of Archaeology & Ethnology, 
New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08625, 
telephone (609) 984-9327, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is here given in accordance with the 
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 
U.S.C. 3005, of the intent to repatriate cultural items under the 
control of the New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, NJ that meet the 
definition of unassociated funerary objects under 25 U.S.C. 3001.
    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 cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Items

    In the 1930s, 5 cultural items were removed from Kyle Mound in 
Muscogee County, GA. Kyle Mound, consisting of a mound and associated 
cemetery, has been a known collecting site for artifacts, including 
funerary objects, since the 1880s. A hand-written label found with one 
of the artifacts, suggests that Mr. F.W. Miller sold part of the Kyle 
Mound to Charles A. Philhower. The note states ``Bought from Mr. Miller 
in East Orange found by him on the Chattahoochee River between Alabama 
and Georgia--Pyle (sp. Kyle) Mound south of Columbus C.A.P. (Charles A. 
Philhower).'' Philhower's entire archeological and ethnographic 
collection was transferred to the New Jersey State Museum from the 
Rutgers University Archives and Library. The 5 unassociated funerary 
objects are 2 ceramic bowls, 1 stone bowl, 1 necklace of blue and white 
beads, and 1 necklace of an assortment of different colored beads.
    On an unknown date, 11 cultural items were removed from unknown 
locations in the state of Georgia. The circumstances of their removal 
are unclear as no documentation exists on the location within the state 
of Georgia. Where information exists, it is listed in the following 
sentences. The 11 unassociated funerary objects are 1 amber necklace 
from a grave, trade beads (1 necklace) from a grave, 6 necklaces of 
blue and white beads from a grave, 1 pearl necklace from a grave, and 2 
necklaces of shell and beads from a grave.
    A videoconference was held on July 14, 2016 between representatives 
of the New Jersey State Museum and the Eastern Band of Cherokee 
Indians, The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and United Keetoowah Band of 
Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. Through this consultation, it was 
determined that the cultural affiliation of the objects with the 
Cherokee could reasonably be ascertained. The United Keetoowah Band of 
Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma has taken the lead role in the 
repatriation process.

Determinations Made by the New Jersey State Museum

    Officials of the New Jersey State Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(B), the 16 cultural items 
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 and are believed, by a preponderance of the 
evidence, to have been removed from a specific burial site of a Native 
American individual.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the 
unassociated funerary objects and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee 
Indians in Oklahoma.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim 
these cultural items should submit a written request with information 
in support of the claim to Dr. Gregory D. Lattanzi, Bureau of 
Archaeology & Ethnology, New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State 
Street, Trenton, NJ 08625, telephone (609) 984-9327, email 
[email protected], by March 26, 2018. After that date, if no 
additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 16 
objects to United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians of Oklahoma may 
proceed.
    The New Jersey State Museum is responsible for notifying the 
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and 
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma that this notice 
has been published.


[[Page 7764]]


    Dated: February 2, 2018.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2018-03633 Filed 2-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P