Archaeology
Archaeology
Archaeology is the study of the past through material remains that people have left behind. New York’s rich archaeological resources represent at least 12,000 years of human activity. Archaeological sites yield important information about the state’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous past. Archaeological data in some instances is the only information available about the state’s early peoples and places.
Archaeological sites can be found all around the state, from temporary Indigenous fishing encampments to twentieth-century Cold War military installations. The identification, interpretation, and recognition of these archaeological resources helps to ensure their long-term protection.
The New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) provides archaeological assistance to numerous state and federal agencies and offers archaeological guidance and recommendations to local municipalities upon request.
Stewardship of Archaeological Resources
The fundamental value of archaeology lies in the information that sites and artifacts offer about the way humans have lived in the past. Through its programs and services, the SHPO promotes the responsible stewardship of archaeological resources to help preserve these valuable but fragile pieces of human history.
It is important to remember that once archaeological material has been removed from the ground, whether through archaeological excavation or due to looting, development, erosion, or other processes, the site is destroyed forever.
- When investigations are conducted properly, the information from the site is preserved through collections, records, and reports that are used to analyze and interpret the past.
- When sites are excavated improperly, information is lost and the value of the archaeological deposits is greatly diminished.
Landowners
Many archaeological sites are located on private property. If you have a known archaeological site on your property, the SHPO recommends:
- Keeping a record of artifacts found lying on the surface of your property
- Leaving the area in its natural, undisturbed condition
- Protecting the area from inadvertent destruction
- Avoiding ground disturbance or other earth moving activities or construction in the vicinity of the site
- Registering the site with the SHPO
When an archaeological site is reported to the SHPO, the information is used in the development of statewide archaeological sensitivity data, which aids scientific research, facilitates preservation planning, and helps to protect sites from inadvertent disturbance or destruction.
Information about the locations of archaeological sites is considered confidential and it not made available to the public.
The SHPO recommends that landowners do not allow unqualified individuals to “collect” or “dig” on their property. If necessary, report any unauthorized activities to local police.
SHPO does encourage scholarly research by qualified individuals or groups in order to document a site’s significance. The study should:
- Identify relevant research questions before onsite examinations begin
- Include an effort to share the results of the investigation through publications, presentations, or other venues
Community Members
You can take an active role in preserving the record of your community’s history by promoting public awareness and education. Activities could include:
- Informing your local government when known archaeological sites may be threatened by development
- Participating in public information sessions (such as local planning board meetings) to help incorporate archaeological resources into local, regional, state, and federal project development processes
- Reporting an archaeological site to the SHPO to have it added to the statewide archaeological inventory. Please contact SHPO’s Archaeology staff for more information.
Professional Qualifications
To be considered a qualified professional archaeologist in New York State, an individual must meet the criteria identified in the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards and published in 36CFR61.
Professional Qualifications (36CFR61
) have been developed by the National Park Service to help identify qualified professionals in the disciplines of history, archaeology, architectural history, and historic architecture. In some cases, additional areas or levels of expertise may be needed, depending on the complexity of the tasks involved and the nature of the historic properties.
Archaeology and Environmental Review in New York State
Archaeology is a key component of New York’s Environmental Review Program. Through the Environmental Review Program, State and National Register of Historic Places listed and eligible resources receive a measure of protection whenever state and federal agencies fund, license, or approve projects in New York State.
Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 14.09 of the New York State Historic Preservation Act, SHPO strives to ensure that effects or impacts on eligible or listed properties, including archaeological sites, are considered and avoidance or mitigation measures are developed during the project planning process.
Major Phases of Archaeological Investigation
In New York State, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP)’s Division for Historic Preservation acts as the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). To ensure a degree of uniformity in cultural resource investigations, OPRHP/SHPO recommends that archaeologists follow the Standards for Cultural Resource Investigations and the Curation of Archeological Collections in New York State (1994) (available free from OPRHP). In New York State, the archaeological investigation process is divided into the following three phases:
Phase I: Reconnaissance (two components) | Are there any archaeological sites present?
Phase IA: Literature Search and Sensitivity Study is the initial assessment of the overall sensitivity of a project area (Area of Potential Effects or APE) for the presence of cultural resources and to guide any subsequent field investigations. The Phase IA should be conducted early in project planning to allow the results to be used in developing and screening project options. Research should be as comprehensive as possible and should include but not be limited to the OPRHP site files. An initial field inspection of the project area must be conducted to assess the level of testing that may be necessary. This study should document the cultural history of the project area, relevant environmental data, the boundaries and description of the proposed project, any previous ground disturbance, and provide recommendations regarding whether Phase IB field investigation is warranted.
Phase IB: Field Investigation is necessary to determine the presence or absence of archaeological sites within the APE and generally requires some form of archaeological testing. The locations selected for testing are based on the data gathered in the Phase IA study. The survey process ends if the Phase IB investigation determines that no archaeological sites are present. If sites are identified, modifications to a proposed project can be made to avoid or minimize potential impacts. If it is impossible for the project to avoid disturbing the identified sites, additional investigation may be required and carried out in the Phase II site evaluation. Please note that if a project is redesigned, any additional areas not covered by the initial Phase IB survey will need to be tested.
Phase II: Site Evaluation | Are the sites eligible for the National Register?
If archaeological sites are identified during the Phase 1B investigation and the sites cannot be avoided, a Phase II site evaluation will be required to gather adequate data to determine if the sites are eligible for listing in the State and National Registers of Historic Places. While Phase I survey examines the entire project area, the Phase II survey involves additional testing and excavation of specific archaeological sites, to provide information about site boundaries, integrity, and significance. The Phase II should also include an evaluation of the impact of the proposed project on the sites and provide recommendations regarding eligibility, avoidance, or ways to mitigate the impacts. A typical form of mitigation is Phase III data recovery.
Phase III: Data Recovery | How is important information preserved from sites that will be impacted?
Archaeological sites that are National Register listed or eligible and that will be disturbed or destroyed because of project impacts will require some form of mitigation. This usually involves data recovery through extensive excavation of the site and comprehensive analysis of the data. A data recovery plan is developed to provide a detailed description of the site, the research questions to be addressed, methodology for field and lab work, protocols for analysis, report preparation, long term curation of the collection, and the dissemination of the information to the public.
Underwater Archaeology in New York State
New York’s extensive network of waterways has resulted in an extraordinary legacy of submerged archaeological sites ranging from underwater Indigenous sites to historic shipwrecks spanning almost 400 years of commerce, technology, and naval history.
The SHPO works closely with other government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and academic institutions to identify, evaluate, protect, and interpret significant underwater sites in New York State. In addition, the SHPO routinely reviews state and federally funded dredging, pipeline, cable laying, and other underwater projects to determine if significant archaeological sites are likely to be impacted and, when appropriate, to develop appropriate avoidance or mitigation measures.