[Federal Register: April 10, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 69)]
[Notices]
[Page 17463-17464]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10ap02-111]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession
of the Springfield Science Museum, Springfield, MA

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, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3),
of the intent to repatriate cultural items in the possession of the
Springfield Science Museum, Springfield, MA, that meet the definition
of ``unassociated funerary objects'' under Section 2 of the Act.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2 (c). The
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these
cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations within this notice.

[[Page 17464]]

    The 151 cultural items are glass beads, shell beads, chert
projectile points, and rolled lead sheets.
    In 1925, these items were donated to the Springfield Science Museum
by J.T. Bowne. According to museum records, the objects came from
``Indian graves on the east bank of Cayuga Lake, Union Springs, New
York.'' The area from which the remains were collected is in Cayuga
County, NY, and, based on historical sources and treaties, lies within
the area in which the Cayuga had villages. Cultural material recovered
from this site, including chert projectile points and glass beads,
supports a Late Woodland and postcontact date (circa A.D. 1000-1700).
The Springfield Science Museum does not have possession of the human
remains from this site.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the
Springfield Science Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR
10.2 (d)(2)(ii), these cultural items 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. Officials also have
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship
of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between these
cultural items and the Cayuga Nation of New York.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Cayuga Nation of New
York, Seneca Nation of New York, and the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of
Oklahoma. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes
itself to be culturally affiliated with these unassociated funerary
objects should contact John Pretola, Curator of Anthropology,
Springfield Science Museum, 236 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103,
telephone (413) 263-6800, extension 320, before May 10, 2002.
Repatriation of these unassociated funerary objects to the Cayuga
Nation of New York may begin after that date if no additional claimants
come forward.

    Dated: February 14, 2002.
Robert Stearns,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 02-8628 Filed 4-9-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S