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 BU, 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

Human remains representing at least four individuals have been identified. Based on the information available, four lots of associated funerary objects are present. These are represented by one lot porcelain and ceramic fragments, one lot nails and screws; one lot slag, and one lot mixed materials including soil. On an unknown date the human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from Beverly, Essex County, Massachusetts by an unknown individual. In October 2024 the human remains and associated funerary objects were identified during an archaeological collections assessment of the now defunct Boston University Office of Public Archaeology repository.

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

BU has determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of four individuals of Native American ancestry.
• The four lots of 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 reasonable connection between the associated funerary objects described in this notice and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians; Mashantucket Pequot Indian Tribe; Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe; Mi'kmaq Nation (previously listed as Aroostook Band of Micmacs); Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut; Narragansett Indian Tribe; Passamaquoddy Tribe; Penobscot Nation; and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).

Requests for Repatriation

Written requests for repatriation of the human remains and 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 human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after November 23, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, BU must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects are considered a single request and not competing requests. BU 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 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.

91 FR 66722