Notice2026-08756
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology, Andover, MA
Primary source
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Published
May 5, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary 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 91 Issue 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 24275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08756]
[[Page 24275]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N7110; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042679; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Robert S. Peabody Institute of
Archaeology, Andover, 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 Robert S. Peabody Institute of
Archaeology intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the
definition of unassociated funerary 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 June 4, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Ryan Wheeler, Robert S. Peabody
Institute of Archaeology, 180 Main Street, Andover, MA 01810, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bfcdc8d7dadad3dacdffded1dbd0c9dacd91dadbca"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a9dbdec1ccccc5ccdbe9c8c7cdc6dfccdb87cccddc">[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
Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology, 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 two cultural items have been requested for repatriation.
The two unassociated funerary objects are ceramic vessels. The vessels
were removed from Ossabaw Island, Mound B (9CH25) and Mound D (9CH27)
in Chatham County, Georgia by Clarence B. Moore in 1895. The vessels
were sent to the Department of Archaeology at Phillips Academy (now the
Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology) in 1906. There is no known
presence of potentially hazardous substances used to treat any of these
items.
Determinations
The Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology has determined that:
<bullet> The two 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> There is a connection between the cultural items described
in this notice and The Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
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 June 4, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the Robert S. Peabody Institute of
Archaeology 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 Robert S.
Peabody Institute of Archaeology 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: April 27, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-08756 Filed 5-4-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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