Notice2025-11138
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Primary source
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Published
June 17, 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 certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects or sacred objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 115 (Tuesday, June 17, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 17, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25636-25639]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-11138]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0040410; 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 certain
cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary
objects or sacred objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the
Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on
or after July 17, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Deanna Byrd, Peabody Museum of
Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Avenue,
Cambridge, MA 02138, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#84e0e1e5eaeae5e6fdf6e0c4e2e5f7aaece5f6f2e5f6e0aae1e0f1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a4c0c1c5cacac5c6ddd6c0e4c2c5d78accc5d6d2c5d6c08ac1c0d1">[email protected]</span></a> and
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9aeaf7f4fbfdeae8fbdafcfbe9b4f2fbe8ecfbe8feb4fffeef"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d8a8b5b6b9bfa8aab998beb9abf6b0b9aaaeb9aabcf6bdbcad">[email protected]</span></a>.
[[Page 25637]]
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 221 cultural items have been requested for repatriation.
These cultural items consist of 206 unassociated funerary objects and
15 sacred objects from sites in Davidson, Dickson, Jackson, Marion,
McMinn, Sumner, and Williamson Counties, TN.
Davidson County, TN: Unassociated Funerary Objects
The 14 unassociated funerary objects removed from the Bowling Farm
Site (40DV426) in Davidson County, TN, include 13 objects that are
present at the PMAE and one object that is not currently located. The
13 unassociated funerary objects present at the PMAE are 13 lots
consisting of stone, shell, and faunal items. The one unassociated
funerary object not currently located is one lot consisting of shell
items. These objects were collected in 1877 by Edwin Curtiss as part of
a PMAE expedition and accessioned by the PMAE the same year.
The one unassociated funerary object removed from the Brick Church
Mound and Village Site (40DV39), also known as ``Love Mound,'' in
Davidson County, TN, is one lot consisting of stone items. Thomas B.
Ballow collected this lot of objects at an unknown date and donated
them to the PMAE in 1877.
The two unassociated funerary objects removed from J.M. Overton's
Farm (40DV11), also known as the Traveller's Rest site, in Davidson
County, TN, are two lots consisting of stone items. These objects were
collected by Mrs. John M. Overton at an unknown date and donated to the
PMAE in 1877.
The three unassociated funerary objects removed from Marshall's
Farm in Davidson County, TN, are three lots consisting of worked stone
items. These objects were collected in 1878 by Edwin Curtiss as part of
a PMAE expedition and accessioned by the PMAE in 1879.
The nine unassociated funerary objects removed from Mr. Gower's
Place in Davidson County, TN are nine lots consisting of stone, lava,
and ceramic items. These objects were collected in 1879 by Edwin
Curtiss as part of a PMAE Expedition and accessioned by the PMAE the
same year.
The 16 unassociated funerary objects removed from Noel Cemetery
(40DV3), including the areas also known as Cain's Field and Cain's
Farm, in Davidson County, TN, include 11 objects that are present at
the PMAE and five objects that are not currently located. The 11
unassociated funerary objects present at the PMAE are 11 lots
consisting of stone and ceramic items. The five unassociated funerary
objects not currently located are five lots consisting of ceramic,
faunal, and stone items. These objects were collected in 1878 by Edwin
Curtiss as part of a PMAE expedition and accessioned by the PMAE the
same year.
The nine unassociated funerary objects removed from T.F.
Wilkinson's Farm (40DV6), also known as the Gordontown site, in
Davidson County, TN, include eight objects that are present at the PMAE
and one object that is not currently located. The eight unassociated
funerary objects present at the PMAE are eight lots of stone and
ceramic items. The one unassociated funerary object not currently
located is one lot of stone items. These objects were collected in 1877
by Edwin Curtiss as part of a PMAE expedition and accessioned by the
PMAE the same year.
The one unassociated funerary object removed from the vicinity of
Sulphur Spring, near Nashville, Davidson County, TN, is one lot
consisting of stone items. These objects were collected in 1879 by
Edwin Curtiss as part of a PMAE expedition and accessioned by the PMAE
the same year.
Davidson County, TN: Sacred Objects
The seven sacred objects removed from the Brick Church Mound and
Village Site (40DV39), also known as ``Love Mound'', in Davidson
County, TN, are seven lots consisting of coal, charcoal, shell, clay or
ceramic, and stone items, and other natural materials. Federic Ward
Putnam collected these sacred objects in 1877 and donated them to the
PMAE the same year.
The one sacred object removed from Edgefield Mound in Davidson
County, TN, is one lot consisting of stone items. This sacred object
was collected in 1878 by Edwin Curtiss as part of a PMAE expedition and
accessioned by the PMAE the same year.
Dickson County, TN: Unassociated Funerary Objects
The 22 unassociated funerary objects removed from Anderson's Farm
(40DS44) in Dickson County, TN, include 21 objects that are present at
the PMAE and one object that is not currently located. The 21
unassociated funerary objects present at the PMAE are 21 lots
consisting of stone and ceramic items. The one unassociated funerary
object not currently located is one lot consisting of stone items.
These objects were collected in 1879 by Edwin Curtiss as part of a PMAE
expedition and accessioned by the PMAE the same year.
The one unassociated funerary object removed from graves at an
unknown location in Dickson County, TN, is one lot consisting of a
``necklace'' made of stone or fossil beads. This object was collected
by Dr. Frederic T. Lewis in the 1920s and donated to the PMAE by Mrs.
Frederic T. Lewis in 1963.
The three unassociated funerary objects from unknown sites in
Dickson County, TN, are three lots consisting of stone items. These
objects were collected by George T. Halley in 1887 and donated to the
PMAE by Halley the same year.
Jackson County, TN: Unassociated Funerary Objects
The six unassociated funerary objects removed from caves in Jackson
County, TN, include five objects present at the PMAE and one object not
currently located. The five objects present at the PMAE are five lots
consisting of stone, shell, ceramic, and faunal items. The one object
not currently located is one lot consisting of shell items. These
objects were collected in 1877 and 1878 by Edwin Curtiss as part of
PMAE expeditions and were donated by Curtiss and General G.P. Thruston
in 1877 and 1878.
Marion County, TN: Unassociated Funerary Objects
The four unassociated funerary objects removed from the Holloway
Mounds site in Marion County, TN, are four lots consisting of stone and
ceramic items. These objects were collected in 1892 by John W. Emmert
and donated to the PMAE by Emmert the same year.
The two unassociated funerary objects removed from the vicinity of
Long Island, near Bridgeport, Marion County, TN, are two lots
consisting of ceramic items identified as funerary objects based on
object type. These objects were collected in 1879 by Edwin Curtiss as
part of a PMAE expedition and accessioned by the PMAE the same year.
The one unassociated funerary object removed from a burial mound at
the Shell Mound Site (40MI8) in Marion County, TN, is one lot
consisting of stone items. This unassociated funerary object is not
currently located at the PMAE. This object was collected in 1869 by
Reverend E.O. Dunning as part
[[Page 25638]]
of a PMAE expedition and accessioned by the PMAE the same year.
McMinn County, TN: Unassociated Funerary Objects
The three unassociated funerary objects removed from the Forrest
Mounds site in McMinn County, TN, are three lots consisting of stone
items. These objects were collected in 1892 by John W. Emmert and
donated to the PMAE by Emmert the same year.
The three unassociated funerary objects removed from the Hudson
Mound site in McMinn County, TN, are three lots consisting of stone and
ceramic items. These objects were collected in 1892 by John W. Emmert
and donated to the PMAE by Emmert in the same year.
The eight unassociated funerary objects removed from Michael Mound
(40MN3), also known as the Mouse Creek Site, in McMinn County, TN,
include seven objects present at the PMAE and one object not currently
located. The seven unassociated funerary objects present are seven lots
consisting of stone items. The one unassociated funerary object not
currently located is one lot consisting of ceramic items. These objects
were collected in 1892 by John W. Emmert and donated to the PMAE by
Emmert the same year.
The seven unassociated funerary objects removed from Raht Island in
McMinn County, TN, are seven lots consisting of stone and ceramic
items. These objects were collected in 1892 by John W. Emmert and
donated to the PMAE by Emmert the same year.
The one unassociated funerary object removed from Ware Mound in
McMinn County, TN, is one lot consisting of ceramic items. These
objects were collected in 1892 by John W. Emmert and donated to the
PMAE by Emmert the same year.
Sumner County, TN: Unassociated Funerary Objects
The three unassociated funerary objects removed from graves at the
Rutherford-Kizer Site (40SU14) in Sumner County, TN, are three lots
consisting of shell items. These unassociated funerary objects are not
currently located at the PMAE. These objects were collected in 1878 by
Edwin Curtiss as part of a PMAE expedition and accessioned by the PMAE
in 1879.
The three unassociated funerary objects removed from unknown sites
in Sumner County, TN, are three lots consisting of ceramic items
identified as funerary objects based on object type. These objects were
collected in 1878 by Edwin Curtiss as part of a PMAE expedition and
accessioned by the PMAE in 1879.
Williamson County, TN: Unassociated Funerary Objects
The 62 unassociated funerary objects removed from the Dr. Jarman
Site (40WM210), also known as ``Brentwood Cemetery,'' in Williamson
County, TN, include 60 objects that are present at the PMAE and two
objects that are not currently located. The 60 unassociated funerary
objects present are 60 lots consisting of organic materials and stone,
ceramic, and faunal items. The two unassociated funerary objects not
currently located are two lots consisting of ceramic items. These
objects were collected at various times by different collectors,
including by the landowner Dr. W.H. Jarman (1882), and by Frederic Ward
Putnam (1882) and George Woods (1883) as part of PMAE Expeditions. The
PMAE accessioned the objects donated by Jarman and collected by Putnam
and Woods in 1882 and 1883.
The two unassociated funerary objects removed from Emily Hayes's
Farm (40WM5), also known as the ``Arnold Site,'' in Williamson County,
TN, are two lots consisting of ceramic and stone items. These objects
were collected in 1879 by Edwin Curtiss as part of a PMAE expedition
and accessioned by the PMAE in 1879.
The eight unassociated funerary objects removed from Glass Mounds
in Williamson County, TN, include six objects that are present at the
PMAE and two objects that are not currently located. The six
unassociated funerary objects present are six lots consisting of
faunal, ceramic, and stone or mineral items. The two unassociated
funerary objects not currently located are two lots consisting of ``red
paint'' and ceramic items. These objects were collected in 1879 by
Edwin Curtiss as part of a PMAE expedition and accessioned by the PMAE
in 1879.
The 11 unassociated funerary objects from Gray's Farm (40WM11),
also known as the ``Fisher-Reams Site,'' in Williamson County, TN,
include two objects that are present at the PMAE and nine objects that
are not currently located. The two unassociated funerary objects
present are two lots consisting of stone items. The nine unassociated
funerary objects not currently located are nine lots consisting of
stone, shell, and ceramic items. These objects were collected in 1878
by Edwin Curtiss as part of a PMAE expedition and accessioned by the
PMAE in 1878.
The one unassociated funerary object removed from an unknown
location in Williamson County, TN, is one lot consisting of shell items
identified as funerary objects based on object type. This object was
collected in 1878 by Edwin Curtiss as part of a PMAE expedition and
accessioned by the PMAE in 1878.
Williamson County, TN: Sacred Objects
The seven sacred objects from the Chenoweth Site (40WM86), also
known as ``John Owen Hunt's Farm,'' in Williamson County, TN, include
four objects that are present at the PMAE and three objects that are
not currently located. The four sacred objects present are four lots
consisting of ceramic items, stone items, faunal remains, and other
natural materials. The three sacred objects not currently located are
three lots consisting of faunal remains, shell, and botanical remains.
These sacred objects were collected in 1882 by Frederic Ward Putnam as
part of a PMAE expedition and accessioned by the PMAE in 1882.
Determinations
The PMAE has determined that:
<bullet> The 206 unassociated funerary objects described in this
notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with
or near human remains, and are connected, either at the time of death
or later as part of the death rite or ceremony of a Native American
culture according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a
lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. The
unassociated funerary objects have been identified by a preponderance
of the evidence as related to human remains, specific individuals, or
families, or removed from a specific burial site or burial area of an
individual or individuals with cultural affiliation to an Indian Tribe
or Native Hawaiian organization.
<bullet> The 15 sacred objects 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> There is a reasonable connection between the cultural
items described in this notice and the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of
Cherokee Indians; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in
Oklahoma.
[[Page 25639]]
Requests for Repatriation
Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items
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 items in this notice to a requestor
may occur on or after July 17, 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 items are considered a single request and not competing
requests. The PMAE is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to
the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this
notice and to 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.
Dated: June 11, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-11138 Filed 6-16-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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