What Are Archeological Resources?

Archeological resources are the material evidence of human culture and activity in the past. They include artifacts, features, sites, and associated documentation. The Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) and its regulations say, “Archaeological resource means any material remains of human life or activities which are at least 100 years of age, and which are of archaeological interest.” (Although 100 years is the ARPA definition, archeologists are interested in more recent history as well.)

Here is an example of what archeological resources look like, from an excavation at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park:

Artifacts lay in the soil fill of a feature in an excavation unit. NPS photo.

This picture from an archeological site shows a feature and the artifacts inside it. Sites are places or groups of places where evidence of past human activities is preserved. See the pink string to the right and the straight sides of dirt? They mark the edges of an excavation unit. Excavation units are marked on a site grid and are usually square. Within this one, there is a feature (yes, it looks like a hole). A feature was a particular activity area within an archeological site. You can tell it is different from the surrounding area because the soil is darker than the soil around it. Artifacts lay inside the feature. Artifacts are material objects made or modified by people in the past. There might be ecofacts, too, but we can't tell from this picture. Ecofacts are made in nature, but are used by people.

There is one more very important category of archeological resources: associated documentation. Associated documentation consists of archeologists' records from archeological projects. It is curated with artifacts and ecofacts into an archeological collection. Sometimes, the associated documentation is the only record of an archeological investigation.

Archeological resources are found in virtually every park in the National Park System. A "resource" is meant to be used. NPS archeological resources are available for study, interpretive uses (like exhibits), educational programs, and more. They reflect the range of stories preserved by NPS. Many connect to people and places, patterns and trends, and perspectives and meanings beyond park borders.

See more of this excavation in the Mound City Group North 40 gallery: