Notice2025-10020
Notice of Inventory Completion: Robbins Museum of Archaeology, Middleborough, MA
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Published
June 3, 2025
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Robbins Museum of Archaeology 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 105 (Tuesday, June 3, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 3, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23546-23549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-10020]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0040231; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: Robbins Museum of Archaeology,
Middleborough, 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 Robbins Museum of Archaeology 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.
DATES: Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary
objects in this notice may occur on or after July 3, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains
and associated funerary objects in this notice to Robbins Museum of
Archaeology, c/o Ryan J. Wheeler, Robert S. Peabody Institute of
Archaeology, Phillips Academy, 180 Main Street, Andover, MA 01810,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7604011e13131a1304361718121900130458131203"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2f5d58474a4a434a5d6f4e414b40594a5d014a4b5a">[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
Robbins Museum of Archaeology (including the Massachusetts
Archaeological Society, its parent organization, and predecessor, the
Bronson Museum), 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, two individuals have been
identified. The 86 associated funerary objects are two lots bark; one
lot stone slabs; one lot
[[Page 23547]]
stone plummet; two lots ground stone fishing weights with red ochre; 54
lots stone tools, including points and blades; one lot tubular brass
bead; five lots red ochre; one lot bog iron or paint stones; one lot
lithic debitage; two lots brass fragments; one lot musket ball; three
lots faunal remains; one lot bark and charred bone; one lot braided
fiber; two lots latten spoons; one lot metal fishhook; one lot rolled
brass beads; one lot ceramic sherds; one lot nutting stones; one lot
steatite bowl; one mixed lot stone tools; one mixed lot with glass
beads, faunal remains, pottery sherds, bark, stone tools; one mixed
lot, powder horn and bone knife handle. The individuals and associated
funerary objects were removed from the Titicut site, Bridgewater,
Plymouth County, MA by members of the Warren K. Moorehead Chapter of
the Massachusetts Archaeological Society between 1946 and 1951. Objects
and features found at the site indicate occupation and use of the site
from the Early Archaic through the early nineteenth century. One
individual was disturbed and removed during earlier excavations in the
1930s by another archaeological society, some individuals were removed
by the Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology (see Federal Register
notices 60 FR 8733, February 15, 1995 and 88 FR 43385-43386, July 7,
2023), and some individuals were left in place. At least 16 individuals
were sent to the Harvard Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology (see
Federal Register notice 68 FR 48626-48634, August 14, 2003).
Human remains representing, at least, 19 individuals have been
identified. The 422 associated funerary objects are seven lots charred
wood; one lot wooden bowl; three lots pottery and pottery vessels; two
lots clay concretion; three lots clam shells with red ochre; three lots
faunal remains; one lot bone point; one lot atlatl weight; 77 lots
stone burial slabs; 175 lots grave slates or slabs; one lot stone celt;
one lot ground stone celt with red ochre; one lot cache stone tools;
three lots chopper tools; three lots stone cobbles; four lots stone
tool working debitage; two lots stone drills; two lot fire cracked
rock; three lots stone fragments; 18 lots ground stone tools; four lots
hammerstones; one lot net sinker; one lot nutting stone; three lots
pendants; one lot petroglyph, one lot plummet; 33 lots stone points and
blades; one lot possible paint stones; two lots stone tool preforms;
one lot scraper; one lot steatite vessel sherd; 12 lots stone tools;
four lots unidentified stone objects; one lot unidentified lithic
object with red ochre stain; one lot semi-rounded lithic object with
red ochre stain; one lot brass spoon; 31 lots samples of red ochre; one
lot debitage and charred wood; one lot charcoal samples; one lot stone
rods; one lot ceremonial blades; two lots stone gouges; two lots quartz
fragments; one lot hematite sample; three mixed lots of stone tools and
faunal remains. The individuals and associated funerary objects were
removed from the Wapanucket site, Middleborough, Plymouth County, MA by
members of the Cohannet Chapter of the Massachusetts Archaeological
Society between 1946 and the early 1960s. The site includes eight loci
along an ancient sand dune, ranging in age from PaleoIndian to more
recent occupation. Interments at the site are likely from the Late
Archaic (5000 to 3000 BCE). Wampanoag occupation in the area includes
the village Nateawamet, the residence of sachem Tuspaquin, as well as
occupation by the Wampanoag well into the nineteenth century. The
remains of at least seven individuals were transferred to the Harvard
Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology (see Federal Register notice
87 FR 69326-69329, November 18, 2022).
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified. The one associated funerary objects are one stone boar or
bear effigy. The circumstances that brought this individual and
associated funerary object to the Robbins Museum are currently unknown.
The limited information available includes the number ``263,'' and the
indication that the individual originated in eastern or southeastern
Massachusetts.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified. No associated funerary objects are present. The individual
was removed from a locale identified as Monomet or Manomet, Plymouth
County, MA. Very little information is available about the individual,
other than an association with the Bielski Collection and Bielski site
ID 944. Edward G. Bielski's collection was donated to the Robbins
Museum in the fall of 2010. Bielski was a teacher in Scituate, MA,
active member of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society, and
collected extensively with Richard H. Bent, a surveyor in Plymouth, MA.
Bielski and Bent disturbed sites in Marshfield, Carver, and Plymouth,
MA.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified. No associated funerary objects are present. The individual
was removed from the Ponkapoag site, Canton, Norfolk County, MA by
members of the South Shore Chapter of the Massachusetts Archaeological
Society, who disturbed the site between 1962 through 1966 under the
direction of Robert A. Martin. Martin's publication documents the
discovery of ancestral remains in one feature described as a ``charcoal
pit'' at the site. The site dates to the Late Archaic, but includes a
component from the eighteenth century.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified. The 13 associated funerary objects are 13 lots of faunal
remains and concretion from a shell-bearing site, including remains of
dog, red fox, dog or wolf, tortoise, skunk, turkey, deer, harbor seal,
whale, quahog, and oyster. The individual and associated funerary
objects were removed from a site in Annisquam, Gloucester, Essex
County, MA, likely by N. Carleton Phillips or Benjamin Chadwick.
Phillips and Chadwick disturbed sites in the Cape Ann area in the 1930s
and 1940s and sent individuals and items to local museums. The remains
housed at the Robbins Museum are not associated with the individual
from Annisquam reported by the Harvard Peabody Museum of Archaeology &
Ethnology (see Federal Register notice 87 FR 69317-69326, November 18,
2022).
Human remains representing, at least, three individuals have been
identified. No associated funerary objects are present. On two separate
occasions, persons unknown left ancestral human remains at the museum.
The remains appear to be ancient and of Native American ancestry, and
are presumed to be from southeastern Massachusetts.
Seventeen associated funerary objects are one lot botanical
samples; one lot faunal remains; one lot stone working debitage; two
lots stone fragments; one lot ground stone tools; eight lots stone
tools and fragments; three lots red ochre samples. The associated
funerary objects were removed from Bear Swamp One (M 39-72), Berkley,
Bristol County, MA, which was disturbed by Arthur C. Staples and Roy C.
Athearn from 1967 through at least 1969. Staples and Athearn removed
one burial (described as Pit #20) in 1968, with the individual sent to
the Robbins Museum (then called the Bronson Museum) to be forwarded to
Harvard Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology (see Federal Register
notice 68 FR 48626-48634, November 18, 2022). The burial is believed to
date to the Late Woodland period (A.D. 1000-1600), though much of the
Bear Swamp site dates to the Late Archaic.
Four associated funerary objects are four lots of steatite vessel
fragments. In 1961, Arthur C. Lord and members of the Cohannet Chapter
of the
[[Page 23548]]
Massachusetts Archaeological Society removed funerary objects from what
was believed to be a cremation feature at the Hawes site, Lakeville,
Plymouth County, MA. Documentation at the Robbins Museum indicates that
it is possible the associated funerary objects reported here were
associated with individuals repatriated in the early 1990s.
Four associated funerary objects are one lot metal chest plates;
one lot brass beads; one lot fragment of deerskin; one lot string used
in restringing beads. The associated funerary objects were removed at
an unknown date by Maurice Robbins from a burial or burials in the
vicinity of Gardner's Neck Road, Swansea, Bristol County, MA. Robbins
sent some of the associated funerary objects to the Robert S. Peabody
Institute of Archaeology in 1941 (see Federal Register notice 70 FR
16840-16841, April 1, 2005). In June 1955, Maurice Robbins disturbed an
additional Native American burial on the property of Mr. Foley on
Gardner's Neck Road, which Robbins described as the ``very heart of the
ancient land of the Wampanoag.'' Documentation at the Robbins Museum
indicates that it is possible the associated funerary objects reported
here were associated with individuals repatriated in the early 1990s.
One associated funerary object is one lot ceremonial stone blade.
The circumstances that brought this associated funerary object to the
Robbins Museum are currently unknown, though museum records indicate
they were removed from a cranberry bog at Jackson Brook, Billington
Sea, Plymouth County, MA. It is possible that the blade is part of
William Whiting's collection, who was active in collecting Native
American objects in the 1940s and 1950s. Documentation at the Robbins
Museum indicates that it is possible the associated funerary objects
reported here were associated with individuals repatriated in the early
1990s.
One associated funerary object is one lot of kaolin ceramic pipe
bowls. The circumstances that brought these associated funerary objects
to the Robbins Museum are currently unknown, though museum records
indicate that they are from Nantucket, Nantucket County, MA.
Documentation at the Robbins Museum indicates that it is possible the
associated funerary objects reported here were associated with
individuals repatriated in the early 1990s.
Five associated funerary objects are two lots stone points and
blades; two lots stone working debitage; one lot ceremonial blade
preform of felsite. The circumstances that brought these associated
funerary objects to the Robbins Museum are currently unknown, though
they are believed to be from eastern or southeastern Massachusetts. The
associated funerary objects are described in museum records as part of
the Salloway collection, possibly a reference to the name of the
collector. Documentation at the Robbins Museum indicates that it is
possible the associated funerary objects reported here were associated
with individuals repatriated in the early 1990s.
Seven associated funerary objects are one lot textile fibers; two
lots charred botanical remains; one lot wampum; two lots brass buttons
or beads; one lot woven basket or mat fragments. The associated
funerary objects were removed from the Taylor Farm, North
Middleborough, Plymouth County, MA by William B. Taylor. Taylor's 1982
article and documentation at the museum indicate that the Taylor Farm
includes large numbers of Native American interments, with occupation
from the Archaic into the eighteenth century. Burials with European
colonial objects dominate the burials excavated on the property, though
cremation burials of the Late Archaic were found as well. The funerary
objects held by the Robbins Museum may be from Taylor's Burial 4 and 5.
Also see the NAGPRA notice published by Harvard Peabody Museum of
Archaeology & Ethnology (see Federal Register notice 87 FR 69326-69329,
November 18, 2022), which indicates that Maurice Robbins and William B.
Taylor removed ancestral remains at the site in 1947 and transferred
those individuals to Harvard.
Two associated funerary objects are one lot antler flaker; one lot
brass kettle with iron handle. The circumstances that brought these
associated funerary objects to the Robbins Museum are currently
unknown. Museum records indicate that these associated funerary objects
are ``from contact period burial, site is unknown,'' in eastern or
southeastern Massachusetts. Documentation at the Robbins Museum
indicates that it is likely the associated funerary objects reported
here were associated with individuals repatriated in the early 1990s.
Six associated funerary objects are one lot mammal bone fragment;
one lot kaolin ceramic pipe stem fragment; four lots brass hooks,
spoons, tools and ornaments, points. The circumstances that brought
these associated funerary objects to the Robbins Museum are currently
unknown. Museum records indicate that these associated funerary objects
originated from an unknown site in eastern or southeastern
Massachusetts. Documentation at the Robbins Museum indicates that it is
likely the associated funerary objects reported here were associated
with individuals repatriated in the early 1990s.
The Robbins Museum of Archaeology does not have any record that the
ancestral human remains or associated funerary objects described above
have been treated with pesticides or other potentially hazardous
substances.
Cultural Affiliation
Based on the information available and the results of consultation,
cultural affiliation is clearly identified by the information available
about the human remains and associated funerary objects described in
this notice.
Determinations
The Robbins Museum of Archaeology has determined that:
<bullet> The human remains described in this notice represent the
physical remains of 28 individuals of Native American ancestry.
<bullet> The 569 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.
<bullet> There is a connection 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).
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 identified in this notice
and, if joined to a request from one or more of the Indian Tribes, the
Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation, a non-federally recognized Indian
group.
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 July 3,
2025. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Robbins
Museum of Archaeology must determine the most
[[Page 23549]]
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 Robbins
Museum of Archaeology 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 10.10.
Dated: May 21, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-10020 Filed 6-2-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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