Watson noted that, while further research could have been conducted on the Pecos collection, none is currently being undertaken on the Narragansett bones.
Ryan said Harvard is "not reluctant" to return remains in its possession, but instead wants to be sure it makes fair decisions.
Ryan suggested that the remains could perhaps be given en masse to an umbrella organization of American Indian tribes.
Ryan, who said he has worked on repatriation issues for more than 10 years, since before NAGPRA was passed, emphasized the museum's awareness of the issue's delicacy.
"We understand completely that this is a sensitive, emotional, important issue," he said.
Ryan said he was unaware of the current stance of the Wampanoag tribe, to whom the Peabody had planned to repatriate some of the remains.
Wampanoag Chair Beverly Wright was unavailable for comment.