Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Sydney L. Wright Museum, Jamestown, RI

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 52524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25368]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Sydney L. 
Wright Museum, Jamestown, RI

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

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 remains and associated 
funerary objects in the possession of the Sydney L. Wright Museum, 
Jamestown, RI.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Sydney L. 
Wright Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives 
of the Narragansett Indian Tribe.
    During 1966-1967, human remains representing 36 individuals were 
excavated from the West Ferry site by Dr. William Simmons. No known 
individuals were identified. The 173 associated funerary objects 
include ceramics, glass beads, tools, cooking utensils, jewelry, 
thimbles, iron trade artifacts, brass plates, projectile points, powder 
horns, cloth fragments, and matting fragments.
    Based on the associated funerary objects, these individuals have 
been identified as Native American. Based on manner of interment and 
types of associated funerary objects, the West Ferry site has been 
identified as a historic Narragansett burial site and ancestral 
Narragansett burial site. The presence of red ochre and bowls in both 
the historic and Archaic burials indicate continuities of tradition 
through time.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Sydney 
L. Wright Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), 
the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of 36 
individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Sydney L. 
Wright Museum have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(2), the 173 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 Sydney L. Wright Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (e), 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 Narragensett 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 Stephen C. Baker, Sydney L. Wright 
Museum, Jamestown Philomerian Library, 26 North Road, Jamestown, RI 
02835-1438; telephone: (401) 423-7281, before October 29, 1999. 
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.
Dated: September 24, 1999.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 99-25368 Filed 9-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F