Archeology

GSA’s Rocky Mountain Region’s Historic Preservation Office is committed to providing customers with excellent service relating to all aspects of preservation. Services include historic preservation compliance that encompasses public archeology and archeological preservation.

Please consult with the Regional Historic Preservation Officer when planning new construction projects for leased or Federally owned buildings. GSA can provide guidance on this type of preservation, and highlight the many organizations and individuals that share some responsibility for preserving archeological and historic sites, structures, and other kinds of historic properties.

What is an Archeological Site?

Prehistoric or historic archeological resources fall under one category of historic properties. The National Register of Historic Places defines an archeological site as “the place or places where the remnants of a past culture survive in a physical context that allows for the interpretation of these remains.”

Such properties may be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places for a variety of reasons. One such reason is that “they have yielded, or may be likely to yield information important to prehistory or history.”

Appropriate preservation measures for affected archeological sites, or portions of archeological sites, may include:

• Active preservation in place for future study or other use;
• Recovery or partial recovery of archeological data;
• Public interpretive display; or
• Any combination of these and other measures.

Federal Archeology and Historic Preservation Program

The following are key aspects of the United States archeology and historic preservation program:

• Preservation is to be considered as one aspect of modern life, that is, contemporary development and economic activities.
• All Federal agencies should develop their own programs to care for historic resources under their jurisdiction or control, or that are affected by their undertakings.
• Federal agencies should identify, evaluate, and nominate eligible buildings, sites, and structures to the National Register of Historic Places.
• Federal authorities, regulations, and guidelines define how GSA preserves and treats archeological sites and objects.
• Archeological research and documentation may be undertaken to fulfill a number of needs, such as overviews and background studies for planning interpretation or data recovery to mitigate adverse effects.

For more information, contact Andrea Collins at andrea.collins@gsa.gov or 303-236-5374