[breadcrumb-shortcode]

Archaeological survey

[vc_section el_id=”MainBodyBox”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]

Introduction

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What is archaeological survey?

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text css=””]Archaeology is the study of human history through the material remains that people have left behind. Federal and state laws recognize the importance of cultural resources, including archaeological sites. These same laws provide mechanisms to ensure government agencies consider them in their actions.

Archaeological survey is the first step for locating archaeological resources. It is the method by which archaeologists investigate a particular location for evidence of past human activity. Archaeologists conduct surveys to:

Search for particular archaeological sites or kinds of sites.
Identify the nature and distribution of material culture in the New Jersey.
Develop historic contexts or test hypotheses about past cultures.
Assess the impacts that development projects may have on archaeological resources.

Depending on the needs of the survey and types of resources in question, archaeological survey can be:

Invasive (e.g., excavation)
Non-invasive (e.g., Ground Penetrating Radar, etc.)

Our office is tasked with overseeing all archaeological survey that takes place within the state of New Jersey.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1714073916460{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][info-box-shortcode icon=”fa fa-solid fa-gavel” title=”Legal protections” buttonlink=”https://deptest.nj.gov/hpo/tools/laws/”]State and federal regulations protect sites on public land from looting and destruction. Learn how this applies to New Jersey archaeological sites.[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]

When is archaeological survey recommended?

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Archaeological sensitivity is the potential for archaeological resources to exist within a project’s Area of Potential Effects (APE). Three sensitivity factors determine whether archaeological survey is necessary for a regulatory project:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=””]

The environmental setting of the APE

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Previous archaeological research supports the value of environmental factors. Both present and historic factors can help locate sites. These may include:

Water and drainage
Topography and geology
Ecology
The level of existing ground disturbance

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=””]

Documented resources within or near the APE

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Prior documentation can suggest whether archaeological resources are nearby. If a prior study in the vicinity of the APE found a site, the APE is more likely to contain resources.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=””]

Existing archaeological contexts

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Archaeological contexts provide an analytical framework for understanding archaeological resources. They explain the significant forces that shaped human activity in a site or region. Geography, history and culture all affect land use and development over time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=””]Survey is only recommended when

A project location has high potential for archaeological resources.
The proposed project has the potential to impact those resources.

For further information, read our overview of Phase I archaeological survey.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1710166895274{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=””]

The three phases of archaeological survey

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Archaeological survey has three levels of investigation:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1696962304455{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-search-location” color=”custom” size=”lg” align=”center” css_animation=”fadeInDown” custom_color=”#244f71″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]

Phase I: Identification

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

What is the history of land use within the project area?
Is there an archaeological site(s) present?
What are its boundaries and characteristics?

[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Phase I overview” style=”3d” color=”white” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeptest.nj.gov%2Fhpo%2Fprograms%2Fsurvey%2Farchaeology%2Fphase1%2F”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1696962304455{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-book” color=”custom” size=”lg” align=”center” css_animation=”fadeInDown” custom_color=”#244f71″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]

Phase II: National Register Evaluation

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]

Does the archaeological site/s present have the potential to add significant new information to our understanding of the past?
Is it eligible for listing in the New Jersey or National Registers of Historic Places?
How will the proposed project impact it?

[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Phase II overview” style=”3d” color=”white” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeptest.nj.gov%2Fhpo%2Fprograms%2Fsurvey%2Farchaeology%2Fphase2%2F”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1696962304455{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-images” color=”custom” size=”lg” align=”center” css_animation=”fadeInDown” custom_color=”#244f71″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]

Phase III: Data Recovery

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]

How can we resolve adverse project impacts to the resource(s)?
Is more data available?
What research questions can this site answer?

[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Phase III overview” style=”3d” color=”white” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeptest.nj.gov%2Fhpo%2Fprograms%2Fsurvey%2Farchaeology%2Fphase3%2F”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]

Guidelines for preparing cultural resources management archaeological reports

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]In addition to PDFs, we now offer several of these publications in EPUB format for e-readers and mobile users.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1714072465046{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][info-box-shortcode icon=”fa fa-solid fa-book-open” title=”CRM Guidelines” buttonlink=”https://deptest.nj.gov/hpo/news/posts/2000/07/31/guidelines-for-preparing-cultural-resources-management-archaeological-reports/” targetlink=”true”]Download PDF and EPUB versions of our full guidelines for preparing cultural resource management (CRM) archaeological survey reports.[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1714072474629{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][info-box-shortcode icon=”fa fa-solid fa-book-open” title=”Phase I Guidelines” buttonlink=”https://deptest.nj.gov/hpo/news/posts/1996/01/31/guidelines-for-phase-i-archaeological-investigations-identification-of-archaeological-resources/” targetlink=”true”]Download PDF and EPUB versions of our Phase I archaeological survey guidelines.[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1714072483038{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][info-box-shortcode icon=”fas fa-camera” title=”Survey report photography” buttonlink=”https://deptest.nj.gov/hpo/tools/photo-guidelines/surveys/”]Read our photography guidelines for archaeological and architectural cultural resource surveys.[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1714072492054{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Statewide archaeological site inventory

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Our office does not manage or maintain copies of the statewide archaeological inventory. Instead, the New Jersey State Museum (NJSM) hosts the state’s archaeological records. The museum’s Bureau of Archaeology and Ethnology administers New Jersey’s archaeological site registration program.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

How can I register an archaeological site?

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1644854620964{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text css=””]Both formal archaeological survey and inadvertent discoveries reveal new sites. Register archaeological resources with the NJSM as soon after discovery as possible. For more information about the registration process, contact the Bureau of Archaeology and Ethnology.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][info-box-shortcode icon=”fa fa-solid fa-pen-clip” title=”Site Registration Form” buttonlink=”https://deptest.nj.gov/hpo/news/posts/2025/11/21/new-jersey-archaeological-site-registration-form/” targetlink=”true”]Use this NJSM archaeological site registration form for all new discoveries.[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”” el_id=”StateArchaeologist”]

New Jersey State Museum contacts

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1643658069720{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1709328289766{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][info-box-shortcode icon=”fas fa-at” title=”Susan Orr” buttontitle=”Email Registrar” buttonlink=”mailto:Susan.orr@sos.nj.gov”]

Registrar, Archaeology/Ethnology

Susan.orr@sos.nj.gov

[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1709328276622{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][info-box-shortcode icon=”fa fa-solid fa-envelope” title=”Archaeology & Ethnography at the NJ State Museum” buttonlink=”https://www.nj.gov/state/museum/explore-collections.shtml” targetlink=”true”]Send mail to:

Bureau of Archaeology and Ethnology
New Jersey State Museum
PO Box 530
Trenton, NJ 08625

Or, visit the official New Jersey State Museum website for more information.[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1709328263910{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1709328254609{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” disable_element=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1757445924509{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1709328289766{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][info-box-shortcode icon=”fas fa-at” title=”Gregory D. Lattanzi, Ph.D.” buttontitle=”Email State Archaeologist” buttonlink=”mailto:Gregory.Lattanzi@sos.nj.gov”]

Curator & State Archaeologist

Gregory.Lattanzi@sos.nj.gov

[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1709328276622{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][info-box-shortcode icon=”fas fa-at” title=”Susan Orr” buttontitle=”Email Registrar” buttonlink=”mailto:Susan.orr@sos.nj.gov”]