Recording Archaeological Sites

Recording Archaeological Sites Definition of a site Please refer to Section 5.1. Archaeological Site. Newly discovered sites If an archaeological site is identified during a Phase I survey, state site numbers (trinomials) must be obtained prior to the submission of the report and sites must be identified by these assigned numbers in the report. Site updates/revisits All previously recorded sites directly within the project APE must be visited and assessed to evaluate, assess, and document changes in site condition, National Register eligibility (if known), identified components, and other site characteristics. Updated site cards must be submitted for previously discovered sites. Phase II and Phase III investigations must include an updated site card prior to the final report submission. Terminated projects Section 106 review, including assessments of historic and archaeological resources, typically begins at a project’s planning stage. On occasion, the project is cancelled before these reviews are completed, leaving the documentation of the archaeological work in limbo and the materials not analyzed or curated. Section 112(a)(2) of the National Historic Preservation Act requires the federal agency to ensure that all collections and associated records (including site forms and the project report) for any Section 106 project to be curated. This section and the accompanying 36CFR800 regulations obligate the agency/company contracting the archaeological investigation to provide sufficient funding to complete the report and curation for the investigations conducted to date. It does not obligate the agency/company to undertake any further proposed and/or planned archaeological investigations within the project area beyond those completed at the time the project is cancelled. MDAH expects the individual or firm contracting the archaeological work to ensure their contract provides for the results of any archaeological work undertaken up to the time the project is cancelled will be reported on and curated. This must include completion of all new and updated site forms, preparation of a report describing the work undertaken, and curation of all collected materials and associated records.