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 Putnam Museum and Science Center and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in its inventory or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

Associated funerary objects have been identified. The six associated funerary objects are two funerary vessels, two shell tools, one lot of shell ornaments, and one lot of pearl beads.

In 1896, Clarence B. Moore removed a funerary vessel from “Mound A” of the Middle Settlement on Ossabaw Island in Chatham County, GA, and donated it to the Museum in 1897.

In 1897, Clarence B. Moore removed a funerary vessel from a “Mound north of Contentment” in McIntosh County, GA and donated it to the Museum the same year.

In 1904, Clarence B. Moore removed two shell tools from “Mound C” of the Middle Settlement on Ossabaw Island in Chatham County, GA, and donated them to the Museum the same year. The items were removed from “Burial 66”. Through consultation, it was determined that the location of the associated human remains were known to the consulting parties.

In 1904, Clarence B. Moore removed one lot of perforated shells from Bourbon Field, Sapelo Island, in McIntosh County, GA, and donated them to the Museum the same year. The items were removed from “Burial 133”. Through consultation, it was determined that the location of the associated human remains were known to the consulting parties.

Between 1925 and 1926, Warren K. Moorehead removed one lot of pearl beads from “Mound C” of the Etowah Mound Group in Bartow County, GA. The beads are associated with human remains which were transferred to the Robert S. Peabody Museum in 1996 and reported in a Notice of Inventory Completion published in the Federal Register on September 13, 2005 (70 FR 54075).

The Putnam Museum and Science Center has no evidence of potentially hazardous substances being used to treat any of the associated funerary objects.

Cultural Affiliation

Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is reasonably identified by the geographical location or acquisition history of the associated funerary objects described in this notice.

Determinations

The Putnam Museum and Science Center has determined that:

• The six objects described in this notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony.
• There is a connection between the associated funerary objects described in this notice and the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town; Kialegee Tribal Town; Poarch Band of Creek Indians; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town.

Requests for Repatriation

Written requests for repatriation of the associated funerary objects in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under ADDRESSES . Requests for repatriation may be submitted by:

1. Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations 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 the requestor is a lineal descendant or an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation.

Repatriation of the associated funerary objects described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after October 9, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Putnam Museum and Science Center must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the associated funerary objects are considered a single request and not competing requests. The Putnam Museum and Science Center is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and any other consulting parties.

Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 ( printed page 57378) U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.

91 FR 57377