Phase III field work and excavations use the same field techniques as Phases I and II. Field work should be designed to answer the questions posed in the Data Recovery Plan and, to the extent possible, assist in future archaeological research. For example, the archaeologist determines how much of the site to excavate in order to recover sufficient information to properly characterize the age, size, context, and integrity of the site. Since one of the main purposes of Phase III work is to record and preserve information that may be lost during construction, all observations should be fully and accurately described. Locations of all collection and test units should be recorded on project/site maps showing sufficient detail for analysis. (Standards, Section 4.3)
Is Phase III monitoring during construction needed for my site?
| "If an approved Phase III data recovery plan does not result in the recovery of the physical evidence known to exist at a particular site and if the site will be destroyed, then all involved parties should strongly consider undertaking archaeological monitoring during the initial phases of construction..." (Standards, Section 4.5) |
What does supplemental Phase III monitoring involve?
Careful monitoring by professional archaeologists should be practiced
during the initial phases of construction. This procedure could include
supervised removal of the topsoil to expose potential features or observation
of construction by an archaeologist to identify artifacts. Monitoring should
include explicit procedures for periodic halts in construction to allow
examination of exposed soil or halts to allow excavation of areas producing
concentrations of artifacts. It should be stressed that monitoring is a
method of last resort and should never be substituted for more standard
excavation methods unless these are not at all feasible. For instance,
standard archaeological methods would not be feasible for projects involving
the reconstruction of existing roadbeds that have sealed important archaeological
sites. Here, monitoring with periodic halts in construction as needed may
be the only workable option for recovering significant archaeological information.