Archeology of an Exoduster Neighborhood: Investigations at Brown v. Board of Education NHS
Brown v. Board of Education NHS serves as a monument to the pivotal role of the 1954 landmark U.S. Supreme court case to the larger Civil Rights Movement. Archeology conducted at Brown v. Board of Education NHS provides us with more information about earlier history and occupants of this neighborhood, from the late-19th century Exoduster movement to the early-20th Century.

America's Hidden Battlefields: Protecting the Archeological Story
America's battlefields teach us about some of the most important events in our history--and there is much more to a battlefield than immediately meets the eye! An important piece of this irreplaceable landscape is the reality of that long-ago battle that lies hidden underground. Through the protection, study, and interpretation of archeological evidence, we can enhance our understanding of those events, and ensure that the battle, itself, is remembered.

Ancient Architects of the Mississippi
Eight hundred years ago, the lower Mississippi Delta was home to some of the most highly organized civilizations in the world. This feature tells you about life along the Mississippi at that time, builders of great mounds, and the activities of travelers and traders. It also provides you with a myriad of voices about the Delta's past.

The Antiquities Act of 1906
This absorbing, lively narrative, first published in 1970, recounts the 25 year struggle at the turn of the century to preserve and protect America's archeological resources. The Antiquities Act established a foundation for present-day archeology and historic preservation. The authorities it gives to the president enable him to create National Monuments, as recently used by President Clinton.

Archeology in the Parks
Many national parks have active archeological programs. Learn about the exciting results of archeological projects in some of your favorite parks by clicking on the state of your choice.

Bois Forte Chippewa in Voyageurs National Park
Learn about this group of Ojibwe (Chippewa), and how they continued using off-reservation lands in the Voyageurs area well after treaties assigning them elsewhere were enacted. Archeology, combined with detailed study of historic records and oral history, is helping Bois Forte people reclaim some of their history lost over the last half-century.

The Earliest Americans
Check out new archeological findings about the PaleoIndians, the earliest Americans -- when and how they arrived in midwestern and eastern North America and how they adapted to the Ice Age climate. Learn about the ancient sites that PaleoIndians inhabited, ones that are being nominated as National Historic Landmarks due to their importance.

National Register of Historic Places

Archeology for Interpreters: A Guide to Knowledge of the Resource
This distance learning effort invites learners to explore the world of archeology through online activities, illustrated case studies and fun facts and to apply what they learn to public interpretations about the past. It provides the opportunity to learn about basic archeological methods, techniques and up-to-date interpretations.

25 Simple Things You Can Do to Promote the Public Benefit of Archaeology
Here are some helpful hints on how archeologists can promote
archeology to the public.

Archeology Technical Briefs
A listing of NPS technical publications in archeology is available for public education, legal issues, site preservation, and programmatic assistance. Ordering information is also available.

Conserving and Managing Archeological Sites
Archeological sites cannot be replaced if they are looted by vandals or destroyed by erosion or modern development. Instead, professional efforts at scientific collection and excavation are needed to record and interpret the past. Work on National Historic Landmark archeological theme studies, submerged resources, and archeological collections are found here.

Federal Archeology Program
Based on a National Strategy for Federal Archeology, the program includes a wide range of efforts to interpret the past for the public, care for collections, conduct scientific investigations, and protect archeological sites. The Secretary of the Interior reports to Congress each year on these activities through this program.

Interpretation for Archeologists: A Guide to Increasing Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
This guide encourages archeologists to learn methods and philosophies of interpretation for engaging the public’s hearts and minds with archeological resources. Guided activities, fun facts, and case studies guide users to realize the role of interpretation in facilitating meaningful relationships with the resources. Users of this guide will gain knowledge, skills, and abilities for encouraging people to care about archeology and to develop an ethic of stewardship as a result.

Kennewick Man
The human skeletal remains that have come to be referred to as the "Kennewick Man", or the "Ancient One", were found in July, 1996, in Kennewick, Washington. Almost immediately controversy developed regarding who was responsible for determining what would be done with the remains. Claims were made by Indian tribes, local officials, and some members of the scientific community. The documents here provide background information and detailed reports of aspects of the work being done on Kennewick Man by the Department of the Interior.

Managing Archeological Collections
This source of technical assistance and distance learning concerns the long-term management and care of archeological collections, including objects, records, non-cultural materials, reports, and digital data. Ten sections cover a wide range of issues, concerns, and best practices for archeologists, curators, CRM managers, and many others. Each section contains a review quiz to test your knowledge, an extensive bibliography, and a page of useful links to related materials.

National Archeological Database Reports Module
U.S archeologists have produced hundreds of thousands of reports on the results of their investigations. This module of the National Archeological Database is an expanded bibliographic inventory of approximately 240,000 reports on archeological investigation and planning, mostly of limited circulation ("gray literature"). NADB-Reports can be searched by state, county, cultural affiliation, keyword, year of publication, title, and author, among others.

National Archeological Database MAPS Module
Look at national distributions of cultural and environmental resources across the U.S. on various GIS maps provided through the MAPS module of the National Archeological Database.

Native American Consultation Database
The Native American Consultation Database (NACD) provides an easy way to identify contacts for each of the 771 federally recognized Indian tribes, Alaska Native corporations, and Native Hawaiian organizations. You can search for contacts by name, tribe, reservation, state, country, and military installation..

National Strategy for Federal Archeology
On March 4, 1999 Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt signed a new National Strategy to renew efforts to preserve and protect archeological sites in place, conserve archeological collections and records, utilize and share archeological research results, and increase public education and participation in archeology.

Vanishing Treasures
This grass-roots initiative tackles the loss of irreplaceable historic and prehistoric structures and the skills to maintain these structures in over 40 southwestern national parks. The program ensures long-term preservation of these sites through training a new generation of craftspeople, many with cultural and other close ties to these sites. Visit the VT web site and the affected parks to learn more about the efforts to repair and maintain these significant resources.

See Also

National Historic Landmarks

National Register of Historic Places