Native American human remains and associated funerary objects: Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM,

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Federal Register: June 30, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 125)NoticesPage 35607-35608From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr30jn98-89

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items from New Mexico in the Possession of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), of the intent to repatriate cultural items in the possession of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM which meet the definition of ``sacred object'' and ``object of cultural patrimony'' under Section 2 of the Act.

The seven cultural items are ceramic water vials, decorated with black geometric designs on a white slip.

Between 1920 and 1922, Edgar L. Hewett of the Museum of New Mexico acquired these cultural items from Antonia Tapia, a Rain Priest at the Pueblo of Pojoaque, also known as Posuwage. These objects are now in the collection of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology, Museum of New Mexico.

The cultural affiliation of these cultural items is clearly Pojoaque Pueblo as indicated through ethnographic description, museum records, and consultation with representatives of the Pueblo of Pojoaque. Representatives of the Pueblo of Pojoaque have also stated that these seven cultural items have ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural importance central to the tribe itsel, and no individual had or has the right to alienate them.

Officials of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology, Museum of New Mexico have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(4), these seven cultural items have ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural importance central to the tribe itself, and could not have been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by any individual.

The three cultural items consist of two carved fetish stones and a ceramic cloud blower pipe.

The only information available in museum records regarding these cultural items is that they were recovered from site LA 61, a known pre-contact component of the Pueblo of Pojoaque based on material culture and architecture.

The cultural affiliation of these cultural items is clearly Pojoaque Pueblo as indicated through ethnographic information, museum records, and consultation with representatives of the Pueblo of Pojoaque. Representatives of the Pueblo of Pojoaque also state that these three cultural items are needed by traditional Native American religious leaders for the practice of traditional religions by present- day adherents.

Officials of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology, Museum of New Mexico have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(3), these three cultural items are specific ceremonial objects needed by traditional Native American religious leaders for the practice of traditional Native American religions by their present-day adherents.

Officials of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology, Museum of New Mexico have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between these 10 items and the Pueblo of Pojoaque.

This notice has been sent to officials of the Pueblo of Pojoaque. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally

[Page 35608]affiliated with these objects should contact Patiricia House, Director, Museum of Indian Arts and Cultures/Laboratory of Anthropology, Museum of New Mexico, P.O. Box 2087, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2087; telephone: (505) 827-6344 before July 30, 1998. Repatriation of these objects to the Pueblo of Pojoaque may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Dated: June 23, 1998. Francis P. McManamon, Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.

FR Doc. 98-17311Filed6-29-98; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 4310-70-F

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