Notice2026-09418
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology, Andover, MA
Primary source
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Published
May 12, 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 (RSPI) intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of a sacred object/object of cultural patrimony and that has 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 91 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25916-25917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09418]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N7156; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042770; 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 (RSPI) intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that
meets the definition of a sacred object/object of cultural patrimony
and that has a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native
Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice may occur on or
after June 11, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural item 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#1b696c737e7e777e695b7a757f746d7e69357e7f6e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="394b4e515c5c555c4b7958575d564f5c4b175c5d4c">[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
RSPI, 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/object of cultural patrimony is a stone pipe. The
stone pipe (192/22972) was transferred to the RSPI in 1962 from the
Merrimack Valley Textile Museum along with another pipe and pipe stem
and bone and wooden flutes and flageolets. There is no known presence
of any potentially hazardous substances.
Determinations
The RSPI has determined that:
<bullet> The one sacred object/object of cultural patrimony
described in this notice are, according to the Native American
traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian
organization, specific ceremonial object needed by a traditional Native
American religious leader for present-day adherents to practice
traditional Native American religion, and have ongoing historical,
traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native American
group, including any constituent sub-group (such as a band, clan,
lineage, ceremonial society, or other subdivision).
<bullet> There is a connection between the cultural item described
in this notice and the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma.
[[Page 25917]]
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 June 11, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation
are received, the RSPI 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
RSPI 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: May 5, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-09418 Filed 5-11-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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