Cultural Resources Identification and Recording
(from North Dakota SHPO Guidelines Manual for Cultural Resource Inventory Projects. SHSND, Bismarck, North Dakota, 2006 and NDCRS Site Form Training Manual. SHSND, Bismarck, North Dakota, 1989.)
Identification of Sites, Isolated Finds and Site Leads
A cultural resource site is defined as a location of past human activity that took place over 50 years ago and which left physical traces of that activity in the form of (1) an intact cultural feature, (2) five or more artifacts found within about 60 m of each other, and/or (3) an intact subsurface cultural deposit regardless of the number of artifacts.
A location with four or fewer artifacts and identified by the archaeologist(s) as representing an area of very limited past activity may be recorded as an isolated find.
Site leads are identified by two separate definitions. The first consists of locations reported by a landowner or other non-professional as containing cultural resources. The second definition for a site lead is when a location with four or fewer surface visible artifacts is, in the professional judgement of the archaeologist(s), likely to be only a limited surface expression of a former occupation area where most of the artifacts are not visible (i.e., still buried).
Recording of Cultural Resources
The master data bank of information for cultural resources sites in North Dakota (North Dakota Cultural Resource Survey or NDCRS) is maintained by the Historic Preservation Division of the SHSND. Verified sites are indexed according to the Smithsonian Institution Trinomial System (SITS). There is no charge for assigning SITS numbers.
The HPD has developed a standardized site, site lead, and isolated find recording form, known as the NDCRS form, and also a training manual for completing the forms. The manual is available from the HPD’s office in the SHSND free of charge, and details how to properly fill out archaeological, historic, and architectural forms. Cultural resource data submitted to the HPD for inclusion in the NDCRS data bank MUST be submitted on the standardized NDCRS form. SITS numbers are assigned only to adequately recorded, verified cultural resource sites. Site numbers will not be assigned over the telephone or via e-mail without prior submission of forms. Fifteen (15) working days are required to process a site form. The timing of the 15 day period begins upon receipt of the form by the HPD.
Evaluation of Cultural Resources
The preliminary evaluation of all cultural resources identified within the study area should be made in sufficient detail to provide an understanding of the historical values that they represent. This is done to aid in the nomination of resources to the NRHP, management of the resources and/or the planning of mitigation of adverse effects of proposed projects on the resources in the event such mitigation becomes necessary. Throughout the recording and evaluation process, the PI should remember that the evaluation as determined by him/her, is a recommendation and not a final determination. Only the lead agency and ND SHPO, through consultation, can provide a final determination of eligibility (DOE) on cultural resources in North Dakota.