Federal  Register  / Vol.  57,  No.  137 /  Thursday,  July  16, 1992  /
   Notices                                                            31529
   ________________________________________________________________________

   Notice of Completion of  Inventory of Native American Human  Remains and
   Associated Funerary Objects From the Dorchester Burials of Marlboro, MA

   AGENCY:   National Park Service, Interior.

   ACTION:   Notice.
   ________________________________________________________________________

     Notice  is hereby given  in accordance  with provisions  of the Native
   American  Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,  25 U.S.C. 3003(d), of
   the completion of the inventory of human remains and associated funerary
   objects from the four Dorchester burials of Marlboro, MA, now  housed at
   the R.S.  Peabody Museum of  Archaeology, Phillips Academy,  Andover, MA
   01810.    Representatives of  culturally  affiliated  Indian tribes  are
   advised  that the human remains and associated funerary objects from the
   Dorchester burials will be retained by the museum until August 16, 1992,
   after which they may be repatriated to culturally affiliated groups.
     The  detailed  inventory  and  assessment of  the  human  remains  and
   associated  funerary objects from the Dorchester burials was made by Dr.
   Michael F. Gibbons, Jr. of the Department of Anthropology, University of
   Massachusetts, Boston,  MA, in consultation with  representatives of the
   Nipmuc Tribal  Council.    Osteological  documentation  of  the  remains
   indicates they are Native American.  All four burials were  found within
   the boundaries of the l7th century Indian Praying Town of Okommakamesit.
   The four burials appear to have been closely related, both spatially and
   culturally; all were extended,  supine, and interred in coffins  with no
   associated funerary objects, save nails, hinges, locks from the coffins.
   These traits are consistent with data from other Praying Indian mortuary
   sites in  Massachusetts.   The  location  and mortuary  treatment  argue
   strongly that  these individuals were associated  with the Okommakamesit
   Praying Town.
     Cultural affiliation  is difficult  to determine for the  occupants of
   the Praying Towns. Due  to tremendous population loss and  mixing during
   the  l7th century,  the cultural  affiliation of  the residents  was not
   clear even  at  the time  this  Praying Town  was  occupied.   Based  on
   available sources, however, Nipmuc is the most appropriate tribal group.
   It is the considered  opinion of the Massachusetts Commission  on Indian
   Affairs that the Nipmuc are the most appropriate claimants.
     Representatives  of  any  Indian   tribe  believed  to  be  culturally
   affiliated with the  human remains and associated  funerary objects from
   the Dorchester burials that have not been consulted should contact James
   W. Bradley, Director, Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology,  Phillips
   Academy, Andover MA 01810, (508) 749-4490, before August 16, 1992.

     Dated: July 6, 1992

   Francis P. McManamon
   Departmental Consulting Archeologist
   Chief, Archeological Assistance Division
   [FR Doc 92-16705 Filed 7-15-92; 8:45 am]
   BILLING CODE 4310-70-M

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