Managing America's Archaeological Resources

Since the late 1960s in the United States, national systems for the management of archaeological resources have developed. Federal land-managing agencies, which control a total of about one-third of the land in the United States, have developed archaeological resource management programs. State historic preservation programs in each state have begun to function as the managers of much of the archaeological record that is nol on public land. This expansion of public archaeology has had profound effects upon the discipline of archaeology in the United States. Archaeologists In public agencies Increasingly are charged with the preservation of the in situ archaeological record. More recently the importance of preservation of archaeological collections, records, and reports has become recognized. In order to better preserve America's archaeological heritage effectively, additional focus on specific aspects of these management systems are needed. They Include more and better public education, improvements in the availability of archaeological Information, better preservation of the in situ record, more progress In the inventory of in situ resources, and improvements In the curation of archaeological collections and records. Archaeologists in academic positions need to support and engage in these Initiatives if preservation of the archaeological record Is to be successful.