90 FR 52 pgs. 12765-12766 - Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA
Type: NOTICEVolume: 90Number: 52Pages: 12765 - 12766
Pages: 12765, 12766Docket number: [NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0039603; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2025-04637 Filed 3-18-25; 8:45 am]
Agency: Interior Department
Sub Agency: National Park Service
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0039603; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA
AGENCY:
National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (Penn Museum) has completed an inventory of human remains and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
DATES:
Repatriation of the human remains in this notice may occur on or after April 18, 2025.
ADDRESSES:
Dr. Christopher Woods, Williams Director, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6324, telephone (215) 898-4050, email director@pennmuseum.org.
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 Penn 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
[top] Human remains representing, at least, one individual has been identified. No associated funerary objects are present. The human remains are the cranium of one individual recorded as an adolescent (age 12-15 years) of an unknown sex. Prior to 1840, the human remains were recovered by Dr. Paul Swift under unknown circumstances from an unknown location, probably Maine. Dr. Swift lived in Nantucket, where he practiced medicine, until he
Published sources and museum records identified the human remains as Penobscot. Consultation with the Maine Wabanaki Intertribal Repatriation Committee, an organization that represents the four federally recognized tribes in Maine (Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Mi'kmaq Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe (Indian Township and Pleasant Point), and Penobscot Nation) on matters of repatriation has led to the determination that the human remains are culturally affiliated with all four tribes geographically. Based on the wishes of the Tribes, the Penn Museum supports the disposition of the human remains described in this notice to be made collectively to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Mi'kmaq Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe (Indian Township and Pleasant Point), and Penobscot Nation, as represented by the Maine Wabanaki Intertribal Repatriation Committee.
Cultural Affiliation
Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is reasonably identified by the geographical location or acquisition history of the human remains described in this notice.
Determinations
The Penn Museum has determined that:
• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry.
• There is a connection between the human remains and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians; Mi'kmaq Nation ( previously listed as Aroostook Band of Micmacs); Passamaquoddy Tribe; and the Penobscot Nation.
Requests for Repatriation
Written requests for repatriation of the human remains 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 or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice.
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 described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after April 18, 2025. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Penn Museum must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains are considered a single request and not competing requests. The Penn Museum 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: February 25, 2025
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-04637 Filed 3-18-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P