Notice2025-05230

Notice of Intended Repatriation: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Primary source

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Published
March 27, 2025

Issuing agencies

Interior DepartmentNational Park Service

Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University (PMAE) intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of a sacred object and that has a known lineal descendant.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 58 (Thursday, March 27, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 58 (Thursday, March 27, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13870-13871]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-05230]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0039777; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intended Repatriation: Peabody Museum of Archaeology 
and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

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 Peabody Museum of Archaeology and 
Ethnology, Harvard University (PMAE) intends to repatriate a certain 
cultural item that meets the definition of a sacred object and that has 
a known lineal descendant.

DATES: Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice may occur on or 
after April 28, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Deanna Byrd, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, 
Harvard University, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, telephone 
(617) 384-0672, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6e0a0b0f00000f0c171c0a2e080f1d40060f1c180f1c0a400b0a1b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9df9f8fcf3f3fcffe4eff9ddfbfceeb3f5fcefebfceff9b3f8f9e8">[email&#160;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 
PMAE, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, 
including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or 
related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

    A total of one cultural item has been requested for repatriation. 
The one sacred object is an akua hulu manu (feathered god image) from 
Hawai`i described as ``the favorite war-god of Kamehameha.'' The akua 
hulu manu was transferred out of Kamehameha I's ownership at an unknown 
date and acquired by ``American Missionaries at the Sandwich Islands'' 
sometime prior to 1833. The missionaries donated the akua hulu manu to 
the Andover Theological Seminary sometime prior to 1850. Alfred M. 
Tozzer acquired the akua hulu manu from the Andover Theological Society 
(later known as the Andover Newton Theological School) and donated it 
to the PMAE in 1937.

Determinations

    The PMAE has determined that:
    <bullet> The one sacred object described in this notice are 
specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional Native American 
religious leader for present-day adherents to practice traditional 
Native American religion, according to the Native American traditional 
knowledge of a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian 
organization.
    <bullet> A known lineal descendant (name withheld per request) is 
connected to the cultural item described in this notice.

Requests for Repatriation

    Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural item 
in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified 
in this notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be 
submitted by 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 cultural item in this notice to a requestor may 
occur on or after April 28, 2025. If competing requests for 
repatriation are received, the PMAE must determine the most appropriate 
requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the 
cultural item are considered a single request and not competing 
requests. The PMAE is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to 
the lineal descendant and any other consulting parties.
    Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 
25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.


[[Page 13871]]


    Dated: March 17, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-05230 Filed 3-26-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on March 27, 2025.

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