Assessing the National Register Integrity of Archaeological Sites

Assessing the National Register Integrity of Archaeological Sites The following is a brief overview of how to apply the National Register’s seven aspects of integrity (location, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, setting, and association) to archaeological sites nominated under any of the four Criteria of significance. It provides general guidance as to what aspects of integrity are most important under each of the Criteria, keeping in mind that different aspects of integrity may mean slightly different things or have more or less weight, depending on the Criterion or Criteria under which the site is significant, as well as its area(s) of significance. For Criterion D, the research questions being asked of the site are a very important consideration when assessing integrity. For Criterion D, integrity of location, materials, design, and association are generally of paramount importance. Location is relatively straightforward; if the site remains in the place it was formed, it can be said to retain integrity of location. The place where the site formed is important, not necessarily the place where the archaeological remains were recorded (i.e. redeposited materials). Materials refers to the degree to which artifacts, ecofacts, and features have survived and is dependent on the research questions being asked. For example, if the research questions focus on the importance of floral resources in the diet, the site would need to yield seeds, cultivars, processing tools, etc. to retain integrity of materials. Design refers to the relationships or patterning of artifacts, ecofacts, and features. For example, a plowed site may retain integrity of design if the relationships between artifacts, ecofacts, and features remain as they were historically or prehistorically. Association under Criterion D refers to the relationship between the data present at the site and the research questions being asked. For example, if the research questions focus on status, the site would need to yield ceramics, personal items, etc. that are indicators of status. Remember, while a discussion of the National Register’s seven aspects of integrity is helpful in establishing an argument for archaeological integrity under Criterion D, a nomination does not have to have such a discussion if the property is only nominated under D. As long as the nomination discusses the level of preservation or quality of information contained within a district, site, or excavated assemblage in relation to the important research questions the property can answer, this is sufficient. For Criteria A and B, location, design, setting, feeling and association are, generally, most important. As mentioned above, location means that the site remains in the place where it was formed. For archaeological sites significant under Criterion A or B, design means something slightly different; it refers to the layout or plan of a site. For example, if a military encampment site retained its avenues, tent platforms, and general layout, it would be said to retain integrity of design. To retain integrity of setting and feeling, the environment of the site should remain as it was historically. For example, if a site was originally a rural farmstead and the surrounding area remains a primarily rural, agricultural area, the site could be said to retain integrity of setting and feeling. For archaeological sites significant under Criterion A or B, association means something slightly different; it refers to the site’s relationship to the historic event/trend or person for which it is significant. For example, a farmstead site significant for its role in an important battle would need to yield artifacts and features related to the battle to retain integrity of association for Criterion A. Under Criterion C, design, materials, and workmanship are most important. As with Criteria A and B, design for Criterion C refers to the layout or plan of a site. For example, a stockaded village that represents a significant example of a type would be said to retain integrity of design if it retains its historic or prehistoric design and layout. For archaeological sites significant under Criterion C, integrity of workmanship is a reflection of the builder(s)’s or designer(s)’s skill in producing the original resource. For example, a house site that clearly shows the hand of a skilled architect or builder would retain integrity of workmanship, whether there are above- ground remains or not. For archaeological sites significant under Criterion C, integrity of materials is a reflection of the elements used to create the original resource. For example, a house site consisting of well-preserved architectural remains could be said to retain integrity of materials under Criterion C, regardless of whether the house is still standing or not. As mentioned previously, this guidance is not meant to produce an exhaustive description of the seven aspects of integrity as they apply to archaeological sites. The evaluation of integrity is based on several factors including the Criterion or Criteria under which the site is being nominated, as well as the Area(s) of Significance. Further discussion of the aspects of integrity as they apply to archaeological sites is available in the National Register Bulletin Guidelines for Evaluating and Registering Archeological Properties and Assessing Site Significance: a Guide for Archaeologists and Historians by Donald L. Hardesty and Barbara J. Little (Published by AltaMira Press, California, 2009).