Cultural Resources Archaeology: An Introduction [Paperback]

Thomas W. Neumann (Author), Robert M. Sanford (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0759100950 | ISBN-13: 978-0759100954 | Publication Date: November 19, 2001

Cultural resources (CRM) archaeology is where graduating archaeology students get their jobs and where most field work and funding is now found. Yet, to date, there has not been a basic textbook introducing students to the proper practices of cultural resources archaeology…until now. Neumann and Sanford use their decades of teaching and field experience to walk students through the process of conducting a CRM project. After an introduction to the legal and ethical aspects of cultural resources management, the authors describe the process of designing a project, of conducting assessment, testing, and mitigation (Phase I, II, and III) work, and preparing a report for the project sponsor. Throughout, the emphasis on real-world problems and issues, the use of extensive examples, and the practical advice given to the student on everything from law to logistics, make this an ideal teaching tool for archaeology students who wish to become practicing archaeologists. The accompanying training manual by the same authors, Practicing Archaeology, discusses each of these topics in greater depth for professional archaeologists.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

This book provides an excellent introduction to the field of 'extra-academic,' or Cultural Resource Management (CRM) archaeology, the applied branch of the field that employs the vast majority of American archaeologists today. It should be a useful text in all university courses that address the development and practices of contemporary CRM archaeology across the U.S.. I highly recommend it to colleagues in both academic and non-academic settings alike. (James B. Petersen )

The authors have produced the first guide to the process of identification, evaluation, excavation, and reporting of archaeological resources in a regulatory context. Emphasizing real-world issues, this is an outstanding handbook for archaeology's fastest growing field. (American Archaeology )

Cultural Resources Archaeology is the most approachable, reassuring and pursuasive introduction suitable both for students and prospective clients. onsidering the economic importance of contract, development or rescue archaeology, it is a wonder that no such book has been published before. The archaeological profession, legislation, and project development and management are set out in clear and cogent steps, 'bullet points', diagrams, tips on further reading, glossary and all. With its eye on how things are done, the book is specifically for the USA; but the point is well taken for other countries too. (Nicholas James Antiquity )

The book should deepen any archaeology student's understanding of what goes into practicing CRM. For professors, the book makes an "ideal teaching tool." For reader who are already professional archaeologists, the accompanying training manual provides more detailed analysis of each of the text's topics. (Environmental Law, Vol 32.549 (October 2002) )

This book is a sound investment in both time and money that will reward you with a deeper understanding of the complex world of contract archaeology. It may even save you from learning some important lessons the hard way, which would make it worth your while even at ten times the price. (Environmental Practice )

The first and only guide to the practice of archaeology in the regulatory context. This well-written and authoritative text demystifies the processes of discovery, evaluation,full-scale excavation, and reporting. Sure to become a standard text in the field of CRM. I heartily recommend it. (Praetzellis, Adrian )

This book helps fill a much-needed niche in American archaeology. . . .This book is necessary for all students, academics, and professional archaeologists to understand the often complex world of compliance CRM archaeology in a North American setting. Even in the Pacific region, an understanding of the Section 106 process is essential as many former protectorates and trust territories of the U.S. have adopted U.S. federal protocols for all historic properties in their countries. I highly recommend this book to upper-level undergraduate and graduate students as they probably will have occasion to work in a CRM setting, at least once within their career. (Belcher, William R. American Antiquity Vol. 68 No. 3 July 2003 )

Cultural Resources Archaeology is likely to be a standard against which future texts are judged. (Patrick Hogan Journal Of Anthropological Research, Vol. 59, 2003 )

About the Author

Thomas W. Neumann has been conducting CRM archaeology projects for over 25 years and has been a faculty member at four different institutions. In addition to his running his own contract archaeology firm, he now manages the Diachronics Division at the Pocket Park-Wentworth Analytical Facility.

Robert M. Sanford is on the Environmental Science faculty at University of Southern Maine, Gorham. He has taught at several universities, been a consulting archaeologist, and served as an environmental regulator .

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Altamira Press (November 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0759100950
• ISBN-13: 978-0759100954
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #850,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Overview of CRM Archaeology, August 27, 2009

By 

Lance M. Foster "Solvitur ambulando" (Helena, Montana, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cultural Resources Archaeology: An Introduction (Paperback)

_Cultural Resources Archaeology: An Introduction_ focuses specifically on the kind of archaeology done on projects under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). These are the kinds of projects generally done as mitigation for projects (generally that disturb the land, such as roads, buildings, powerlines, etc.) that are done a) on federal lands, b) using federal funds, AND/OR c) requiring federal permits (wetlands require Army Corps of Engineers permitting, or cell towers require FCC permits, etc.). This sort of archaeological work is the most frequent kind of archaeological project done in the U.S. These are the topics covered:

CHAPTER ONE: Professional Archaeology: An Overview
Introduction: Purpose and Overview
A Brief History of Extra-Academic and Professional Archaeology
Current Structure of Archaeology in the United States

CHAPTER TWO: Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines
Purpose and Objectives
The Section 106 Process
Additional Regulations and Requirements
State Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines
Municipal and County Regulations

CHAPTER THREE: Preparing the Project Background
Purpose and Objectives
Project History
Environmental Background and Soil Survey
Historic Background and Soil Survey
Historic Background Narrative
Prehistoric Background Narrative

CHAPTER FOUR: The Phase I Process: Identification of Possible Historic Properties
Identification of Possible Historic Properties
Project Structure and Pre-Field Preparation
Field
Post-Field

CHAPTER FIVE: The Phase II Process: Testing and Evaluation
Testing and Evaluation
Project Structure and Pre-Field Preparation
Field
Post-Field

CHAPTER SIX: The Phase III Process: Mitigation through Data Recovery
Initiation of a Phase III Process
Data Recovery Plan
Project Structure and Pre-Field Preparation
Field
Post-Field

CHAPTER SEVEN: Report Preparation and Production
Purpose and Objectives
The Laboratory: Structure, Processing, Analysis
The Report: The Final Product

Appendices include "Federal Regulations, Standards, and Guidelines on Documentation" and "Codes of Conduct and Standards of Research: The Meaning of 'Professional'." A glossary, index, etc. are also provided.

This is an excellent introduction and overview of the CRM archaeological project process. There is an accompanying training manual Practising Archaeology by the same authors, designed to accompany this book for classes and field schools, but I have not seen it yet. Highly recommended for archaeology students/classes in the U.S., agency resource managers, and SHPO/THPO offices.