Notice2024-00526
Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Rhode Island, South Kingstown, RI
Primary source
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Published
January 12, 2024
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Rhode Island, South Kingstown, RI (URI) has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from Bristol County, RI; Barnstable County, MA; Nantucket County, MA; and Plymouth County, MA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 9 (Friday, January 12, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 9 (Friday, January 12, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2241-2243]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00526]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0037229; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Rhode Island, South
Kingstown, RI
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Rhode Island, South
Kingstown, RI (URI) has completed an inventory of human remains and
associated funerary objects and has
[[Page 2242]]
determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human
remains and associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native
Hawaiian organizations in this notice. The human remains and associated
funerary objects were removed from Bristol County, RI; Barnstable
County, MA; Nantucket County, MA; and Plymouth County, MA.
DATES: Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary
objects in this notice may occur on or after February 12, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Kristine M. Bovy, University of Rhode Island, Dept. of
Sociology & Anthropology, 508 Chafee Hall, Kingston, RI 02881,
telephone (401) 874-4143, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a6cdc4c9d0dfe6d3d4cf88c3c2d3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7a1118150c033a0f0813541f1e0f">[email protected]</span></a> and Fiona Jones,
University of Rhode Island, 232 Chafee Hall, Kingston, RI 02881,
telephone (860) 338-4288, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ed8b8482838c87ad989f84c3888998"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fa9c9395949b90ba8f8893d49f9e8f">[email protected]</span></a>.
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
University of Rhode Island. The National Park Service is not
responsible for the determinations in this notice. Additional
information on the determinations in this notice, including the results
of consultation, can be found in the inventory or related records held
by the University of Rhode Island.
Description
Harding Estates Site (RI-1755)
Human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed
from Bristol County, RI. From late 1987 to mid-1988, the Public
Archaeology Program (Rhode Island College) conducted Phase I through
III survey of the future Harding Estates condominiums in the town of
Bristol, RI. This site was designated as RI-1755.
In May of 1988, upon returning for Phase II excavation, the
archeologists learned that a human burial had been discovered during
bulldozing for an access road. The bulldozing took place in between
Phase I and Phase II; archaeologists were not present at the time. The
access road where the burial was recovered was not within the initial
survey region. The Bristol Police and Rhode Island Historic
Preservation Commission (RIHPC) were immediately contacted by the
archaeologists. It was determined that the human remains should be
transferred to Dr. Marc Kelley, a professor of biological anthropology
at URI for evaluation.
Radiocarbon dating on artifacts found outside of the burial context
concluded the site to date to the transitional Archaic-Woodland period.
After inventorying in 2022, it was determined that there is, at
minimum, one individual represented. The two associated funerary
objects are two shell fragments.
Seneca Road Site (MAS-HA-15)
Human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed
from Barnstable County, MA. In May of 1990, the Massachusetts
Historical Commission (MHC) excavated the Seneca Road Site (MAS-HA-15)
after a burial was disturbed during housing construction. Textiles were
recovered from an unmarked grave dating to the 18th or 19th century.
The textiles were transferred from the MHC to the University of Rhode
Island (URI) for conservation, study, and curation. Hair and cranium
fragments of one individual were not initially recognized and
inadvertently sent to URI along with the textiles. The 21 associated
funerary objects are lots of textile fragments.
Abrams Point II Site (NAN-HA-10)
In 1992, 11 associated funerary objects were removed from Nantucket
County, MA. During the construction of homes in Nantucket County, MA,
20 graves were disturbed. This site was later excavated by the
Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) and named the Abrams Point II
Site (NAN-HA-10). It was determined that the burials most likely dated
to the 18th century. One burial contained nine buttons, textiles, and
fragments of a woven mat. These associated funerary objects were
transferred to the University of Rhode Island for further analysis and
preservation. No human remains from this site were transferred to the
University of Rhode Island. The 11 associated funerary objects are nine
buttons, one lot of woven mat fragments, and one lot of textile
fragments.
Santuit Pond Road Site (MSH-HA-4)
In May of 1988, three associated funerary objects were removed from
Barnstable County, MA. During housing construction, the burial of one
individual was recovered by the Massachusetts Historical Commission
(MHC). The site was later named the Santuit Pond Road Site (MSH-HA-4).
It was determined that the site most likely dated to the 18th or 19th
century. The individual recovered was determined to be Native American.
Textiles were found within the burial and were sent to URI in 1991 for
analysis and preservation. No human remains from this site were
transferred to the University of Rhode Island. The three associated
funerary objects are three lots of textile fragments.
Descas Site
Human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals were
removed from Plymouth County, MA. The Decas Site was excavated in
Rochester, MA, from 1962 to 1964 by members of the Massachusetts
Archaeological Society (MAS). At an unknown time during the
excavations, a cremation burial was recovered. A cranium was recovered,
and the associated unidentifiable bone fragments and ashes were stored
in a box. Subsequently, a member of the MAS gave the human remains to
Carol Barnes, a professor of anthropology at Rhode Island College. The
box has a label that reads: ``Cremation burial Dekas Site, S.E Mass.
Gift of Mr. Thomas (C. Barnes) Box 2 252-3-D, Skull also.'' At this
time no excavation reports from the MAS have been located, only short
references in MAS annual bulletins. At an unknown time, the human
remains were transferred to the University of Rhode Island. After
inventorying in 2022, it was determined that there is a minimum of two
individuals represented. No associated funerary objects are present.
Cultural Affiliation
The human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice
are connected to one or more identifiable earlier groups, tribes,
peoples, or cultures. There is a relationship of shared group identity
between the identifiable earlier groups, tribes, peoples, or cultures
and one or more Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. The
following types of information were used to reasonably trace the
relationship: archeological information, geographical information,
historical information, and expert opinion.
Determinations
Pursuant to NAGPRA and its implementing regulations, and after
consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian
organizations, the University of Rhode Island has determined that:
<bullet> The human remains described in this notice represent the
physical remains of four individuals of Native American ancestry.
<bullet> The 37 objects described in this notice are reasonably
believed to have been placed with or near individual human remains at
the time of death or
[[Page 2243]]
later as part of the death rite or ceremony.
<bullet> There is a relationship of shared group identity that can
be reasonably traced between the human remains and associated funerary
objects described in this notice and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and
the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), the only Federally
recognized Indian Tribes of the Wampanoag Tribes.
Requests for Repatriation
Written requests for repatriation of the human remains and
associated funerary objects in this notice must be sent to the
Responsible Official identified in 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 and, if joined to a request
from one or more of the Indian Tribes, Indian groups without Federal
recognition that are a part of the Wampanoag Tribes.
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 a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian
organization.
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects
in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after February 12, 2024.
If competing requests for repatriation are received, the University of
Rhode Island 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. The University of Rhode Island is responsible for
sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian
organizations identified in this notice.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,
25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9, Sec.
10.10, and Sec. 10.14.
Dated: January 5, 2024.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2024-00526 Filed 1-11-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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