Archeology for Interpreters > 4. What Do Archeologists Do?

What happens to a site after it's discovered?

Resource treatment policies

NPS policies exist for the treatment of specific archeological and cultural resources (NPS 2000).

Burials: Historic and prehistoric burial areas, whether or not formally plotted and enclosed as cemeteries, are identified and protected. They are not disturbed or archeologically investigated unless threatened with destruction by park development, operational activities, or natural forces.

Submerged cultural resources: Submerged cultural resources are left in place unless removal of artifacts or intervention into fabric is compellingly justified by overriding protection, research, or interpretive requirements. No submerged cultural resource is removed if its preservation would be adversely affected or unless provision has been made for its appropriate conservation and curation. All such resources collected from park waters are managed as NPS museum collections. The National Park Service does not permit treasure hunting or salvage activities at or around shipwrecks or other submerged resources.

Programs are conducted to enhance public understanding of submerged cultural resources. Parks may provide recreational diving access to submerged resources not susceptible to damage or the removal of artifacts from such access.

Structures: Structures within national park units are subject to four treatment options:

• Preservation: A structure will be preserved in its present condition if (1) that condition allows for satisfactory protection, maintenance, use, and interpretation, or (2) another treatment is warranted but cannot be accomplished until some future time.
• Rehabilitation: A structure may be rehabilitated—repaired and adapted for contemporary functional use—if (1) it cannot adequately serve an appropriate use in its present condition, and (2) rehabilitation will not alter its integrity and character or conflict with park management objectives. Rehabilitation does not apply to prehistoric structures.
• Restoration: A structure may be restored to an earlier appearance if (1) restoration is essential to public understanding of the cultural associations of a park, and (2) sufficient data exist to permit restoration with minimal conjecture.
• Reconstruction: The NPS makes limited use of reconstructions. A vanished structure may be reconstructed—recreated based on research and physical evidence—if (1) reconstruction is essential to public understanding of the cultural associations of a park established for that purpose, (2) sufficient data exist to permit reconstruction on the original site with minimal conjecture, and (3) significant archeological resources will be preserved in situ or their research values will be realized through data recovery. A vanished structure will not be reconstructed to appear damaged or ruined. Generalized representations of typical structures will not be attempted.

Cultural Landscapes: The management of cultural landscapes recognizes and protects significant historic, archeological, ethnographic, and design values. Treatment decisions take into account both the natural and built features of the landscape and the dynamics inherent in natural processes and continued human and animal occupation. The perpetuation of significant vistas and historic parkway and park road landscape design features receive special emphasis. Cultural landscapes, like other cultural resources, are not “beautified” to suit modern aesthetic tastes through decorative plantings or other modifications not reflecting historic conditions. Cultural landscapes within national park units are subject to four treatment options:

• Preservation: A cultural landscape is preserved in its present condition if (1) that condition allows for satisfactory protection, maintenance, use, and interpretation, or (2) another treatment is warranted but cannot be accomplished until some future time.
• Rehabilitation: A cultural landscape may be rehabilitated for contemporary use if (1) it cannot adequately serve an appropriate use in its present condition, and (2) rehabilitation will retain its essential features and will not alter its integrity and character or conflict with park management objectives.
• Restoration: A cultural landscape may be restored to an earlier appearance if (1) restoration is essential to public understanding of the cultural associations of a park, and (2) sufficient data exist to permit restoration with minimal conjecture.
• Reconstruction: An obliterated cultural landscape may be reconstructed if (1) reconstruction is essential to public understanding of the cultural associations of a park established for that purpose, and (2) sufficient data exist to permit reconstruction with minimal conjecture.

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• Distance learning
• Home
• 1. Introduction
• 2. What is Archeology?
• 3. What are Archeological Resources?
• 4. What do Archeologists Do?
  • Introduction
  • How do archeologists know where to look for sites?
  • How do archeologists identify artifacts?
  • What happens to a site after it's discovered?
    • In Situ preservation
    • Data recovery
    • Public education and site interpretation
    • Resourc treatment policies
  • How do we preserve archaeological resources?
  • Suggested readings
  • Links to additional resources
• 5. How do Archeologists Figure Out How Old Things Are?
• 6. What are Our Personal and Professional Responsibilities?
• 7. What are Issues of Sensitivity?
• 8. Cultural Resource Management (CRM)
• 9. Use What You Know: Highlighted Case Study
• 10. Additional Resources
• Glossary
• Course Certificate
• Credits
• Table of Contents