CULTURAL RESOURCE STANDARDS HANDBOOK
GUIDANCE FOR UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING THE NEW YORK STATE
STANDARDS FOR CULTURAL RESOURCE INVESTIGATIONS
prepared by:
THE NEW YORK ARCHAEOLOGICAL COUNCIL
STANDARDS COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 2000
© 2000 by the New York Archaeological Council
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS HANDBOOK?
WHO SHOULD USE
THIS MANUAL?
How to use this handbook
Handbook format notes
INTRODUCTION
What are cultural resources and what is cultural resource management (CRM)?
Why were standards for cultural resource investigations created?
What is Archaeology?
What is Historic Preservation?
Why should I be concerned about cultural resources?
How is the information gathered during a cultural resource investigation
used?
What is a significant finding?
How can the findings of a significant cultural resource affect development?
How are CRM projects conducted?
What are typical costs for CRM projects?
Where can I get more information about historic preservation?
RECONNAISSANCE:
PHASE I PROJECTS
What is a Phase I Cultural Resource Investigation?
What is a Phase IA Literature Review and Sensitivity Assessment?
What is an archaeologically sensitive area?
What is a Phase IB Field Investigation?
What happens after the Phase I Report is complete?
How long does it take to review a Phase I Report?
What happens if a site is found during Phase I investigations?
SITE EVALUATION:
PHASE II PROJECTS
What is a Phase II Site Evaluation?
How does finding an eligible site affect my project?
How does Phase II differ from Phase I?
Does my site require a supplemental Phase II survey?
MITIGATION/DATA
RECOVERY: PHASE III
What is mitigation?
What is involved with a Data Recovery Plan?
What field work is done during a Phase III project?
Is Phase III monitoring during construction needed for my site?
What does supplemental Phase III monitoring involve?
Is mitigation a long and costly process?
Do we share the results with the public?
HUMAN REMAINS
What happens if human bones are found on my project?
What happens next?
How do these findings affect my project?
PRESERVING THE
ARTIFACTS
Who is responsible for the artifacts that are found on my project?
Where can I get more information on curation and preservation of artifacts?
Who owns the artifacts?
If I wish to donate the artifacts, how do I choose an acceptable place?
Is the donation of artifacts tax deductible?
APPENDIX A: LIST OF AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS REVIEWED BY OPRHP/SHPO
APPENDIX B: REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL CHECKLIST
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Handbook in Microsoft Word Format (139 KB)
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