Archaeology

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides guidance and technical assistance to Federal, State, and local government staff regarding Federal laws, regulations, policy, and procedures on archaeological topics. Future planned efforts include updating FHWA's 1988 archaeology guidance.

Currently, State and Federal agencies, including FHWA, are examining new methods of identifying and evaluating archaeological sites. Alternative artifact management strategies are also being investigated. The website sections below describe these and other archaeology efforts.

Treatment of Human Remains

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) issued a Federal Register notice on March 14 that contains a draft policy on treatment of burial sites, human remains, and funerary objects (71 Fed. Reg. 13066). This policy would replace the existing policy that was enacted in 1988. The notices states the policy provides guidance for federal undertakings in general and in cases where there are no applicable state or federal laws and where burials are likely to be or have been encountered. This policy does not recommend a specific treatment. Rather it encourages careful consideration about how to treat burial sites, human remains, and funerary objects in a respectful and sensitive manner while acknowledging the public interest in the past. This proposed draft of the ACHP's revised human remains policy is now subject to review, including consultation with Federally-recognized Indian tribes. Please provide comments on it on or before June 28, 2006. Text of the notice may be accessed at the following link: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/06-2390.htm

Collections Management

For years, vast numbers of artifacts have been collected and curated as a result of archaeological mitigation for Federal undertakings. Today, many of our nation's repositories are full, and few can accommodate more artifacts. The National Park Service (NPS) Archeology and Ethnography Program has recognized the growing difficulty associated with managing the accumulating stock of relics. To learn more about the emerging "collections crisis" and explore alternatives to on-site collection, please see the following articles:

• "The Curation Crisis" — A NPS Archeology and Ethnography Program article, the Curation Crisis describes the problem of limited space for archaeological finds. The article also offers a range of alternatives to the collection dilemma.
• Managing Archaeological Collections — Managing Archaeological Collections provides information on how collections of artifacts can be processed, catalogued, and archived. The article discusses some Federal and State agency standards as well as guidance offered by local repositories.
• GA FHWA and DOT conducted Archeaological Curation Seminar and Workshop on November 19, 2004, to increase awareness of archeaeological curation issues and to provide specific information concerning collections standards. The target audience included archaelogical consultants and governmental representatives who routinely work with GDOT and FHWA projects. The education gained by those responsible for processing archaeological collections from GDOT and FHWA projects will promote their understanding, facilitate compliance with federal laws and regulations, and lead to better curation and collections management. Contact David Grachen david.grachen@fhwa.dot.gov for more information.

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Remote Sensing Resources

One relatively new tool being used in collections management is remote sensing. Remote sensing involves the acquisition of information about the Earth's surface from space. This technology, often used to improve natural resources and land use management, is increasingly being used to identify and evaluate archaeological sites. By employing remote sensing, archaeologists can avoid disturbing vulnerable areas. The following sites offer descriptions of current projects, applications, and educational opportunities related to remote sensing in archaeology.

• I-Sites — The I-Sites website is home to Iowa's web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) and database for Iowa's archaeological resources.
• North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics — The NADAG website, which aims to promote the use of non-invasive, geophysical survey methods, hosts a database of archaeological practices from across the continent.

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Archaeological Models

Archaeological models are often created to predict where archaeological sites may occur in a given area. Below is one example of a successful model.

• Minnesota Archaeological Predictive Model — The Mn/Model is a tool that helps indicate the probability of encountering an archaeological site anywhere within a landscape. This tool provides Minnesota DOT a way to protect cultural resources while saving time and money.
• NCDOT's GIS-based Archaeological Predictive Models — The North Carolina Department of Transportation has developed a GIS-based Archaeological predictive models for use during the planning of multi-lane highways in new locations. The models integrate available environmental and cultural variables in order to rank proposed highway corridors and alternatives for the likelihood of containing prehistoric and historic archaeological resources. The 37,000 existing archaeological site files for the state will be digitized, and an easy-to-use, web enabled graphical user interface (GUI) will be developed for use by NCDOT staff.

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State DOT Archaeological Programs

Many State DOTs have archaeological programs, and the breadth of these programs is wide-ranging. For example, New Jersey DOT maintains a "Cultural Resource Commitments List," while Minnesota DOT and North Carolina DOT have developed predictive archaeological GIS models. To uncover more information about these and other States' various archaeological programs, visit the State Streamlining Practices Database.

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Educational Outreach Programs

Some Federal and State government agencies, as well as non-profit organizations, have developed educational outreach programs in the fields of archaeology and historic preservation. The following links provide examples of educational outreach opportunities for audiences extending from children to State transportation professionals.

• National Park Service "Archeology for Kids" website — For a great way to introduce kids to the world of archeology — who archeologists are, how they work, and the thrill of digging, visit this web site.
• Georgia FHWA Kids' Program — FHWA and Georgia DOT co-sponsor this program in cooperation with the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site to help students better understand history through hands on archeology.
• Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Project Archaeology — Project Archaeology is a program intended to help provide archaeology training and mentoring to local educators. The site offers contact information for regional facilitators and archaeologists responsible for leading the training courses.
• Reed Farmstead Archaeological Site — "Kids Dig Reed" is an educational website for children developed by the West Virginia Department of Transportation. The interactive site allows users to learn history, view films and artifacts, play games, and submit questions about archaeological efforts on one farmstead in eastern West Virginia.
• Texas' Reuben Hancock Site — Texas DOT has developed downloadable educational packets on archaeology at the Reuben Hancock site, a once thriving community of freed African-American slaves.
• Vermont Agency of Transportation (VAOT) Archaeology Educational Outreach Program — The VAOT, in coordination with the FHWA, the University of Vermont, and the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, offers summer outreach courses in archaeology of the planned Circumferential Highway.
• National Park Service's "Public Benefits of Archeology" website — For an introduction of some of the public benefits of archeology visit this National Park Service website. It explores who benefits from archeology, including communities, ecologists, educators, historians, and museums through case studies.
• The Archaeology Channel — See examples of archaeology through streaming media.

Public outreach at Site VT-CH-201 in Colchester, VT

For questions or feedback on this subject matter content, please contact MaryAnn Naber. For general questions or web problems, please send feedback to the web administrator.

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