SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the Superintendent, CACO, and additional information on the cultural item in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the related records.

Abstract of Information Available

Based on the information available, the one unassociated funerary object is a stone mortuary knife. The blade was identified in August of 2005 by a park visitor in Barnstable County, MA and given to a park ranger.

Determinations

CACO has determined that:

• The one unassociated funerary object described in this notice is reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near human remains, and is connected, either at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony of a Native American culture according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. The unassociated funerary object has been identified by a preponderance of the evidence as related to human remains, specific individuals, or families, or removed from a specific burial site or burial area of an individual or individuals with cultural affiliation to an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
• The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) have priority for disposition of the cultural item described in this notice.

Claims for Disposition

Written claims for disposition of the cultural item in this notice must be sent ( printed page 52339) to the appropriate official identified in this notice under ADDRESSES . If no claim for disposition is received by August 13, 2027, the cultural item in this notice will become unclaimed cultural item. Claims for disposition may be submitted by:

1. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization identified in this notice.

2. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they have priority for disposition.

Disposition of the cultural item in this notice may occur on or after September 14, 2026. If competing claims for disposition are received, CACO must determine the most appropriate claimant prior to disposition. Claims for joint disposition of the cultural item are considered a single claim and not competing claims. CACO is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and to any other consulting parties.

Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3002, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.7.

91 FR 52338