What Are Archaeological Consultants and When Do You Need One?

Archaeological consultants are firms that identify, evaluate, and document cultural resources—such as artifacts, historic sites, and buried deposits—before or during land-disturbing development. You typically need one when a project involves ground disturbance and requires compliance with environmental or cultural resource regulations, or when a client or agency requests a records check or survey. Archaeological Consultants of Ossian, based in Muncie, Indiana, is an example of a firm that has provided these services since 1988.

What Archaeological Consultants Do

An archaeological consultant's work generally falls into three areas:

• Records checks and literature reviews — searching state and local records to determine whether known sites exist in or near a project area.
• Field surveys — walking or otherwise examining the ground surface to locate artifacts and site boundaries.
• Subsurface testing — digging shovel test pits or other excavations to find buried deposits that surface survey may miss.

The results are documented in reports that clients and reviewing agencies use to make decisions about a project.

When a Development Project Needs a Consultant

The need is usually triggered by ground disturbance combined with a regulatory or client requirement. Projects that commonly require archaeological review include:

• Airports
• Cell towers
• Road improvements
• Sewage and water lines
• Ethanol plants
• Wind farms
• Utility lines
• Borrow and disposal areas
• Other land-disturbing developments

If your project involves any of these and is subject to environmental or cultural resource review, a consultant can determine what level of investigation is required.

How the Process Works: Phase Ia Through Phase II

Archaeological investigation in the U.S. often follows a phased approach:

Phase Ia Reconnaissance Survey

A preliminary, low-impact investigation. It typically combines a records check with a surface survey and limited subsurface testing to determine whether a site is present and whether further work is needed.

Phase II Testing

If Phase Ia identifies a potentially significant site, Phase II testing evaluates its integrity, extent, and research value. This involves more intensive excavation and analysis to determine whether the site is eligible for protection or further study.

The phase your project needs depends on what earlier phases find and on the requirements of the reviewing agency.

What Credentials to Look For

When choosing a consultant, check for:

• Experience in the relevant state — archaeological regulations and records systems vary by state.
• State certifications — some states certify archaeologists to conduct investigations within their borders.
• Principal investigator qualifications — education, field experience, and professional memberships.
• Report output — how many survey reports the firm has authored and whether it has worked on projects similar to yours.

For example, Archaeological Consultants of Ossian's founder and principal investigator, Larry Stillwell, has conducted archaeological field work in Indiana since 1988, authored at least 800 field survey reports in Indiana, holds a B.A. from the University of Maryland and an M.A. from Ball State University, and is certified to conduct investigations in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and Illinois.

Requesting a Quote and What Affects Cost

The firm states that its rates are reasonable, its service is reliable, and its turnaround time is exceptional, and it invites clients to contact it for a quote. Cost and schedule generally depend on:

• The size and location of the project area
• Whether records checks, surface survey, or subsurface testing is required
• The phase of investigation
• The reviewing agency's requirements

To get an accurate quote, be ready to describe your project type, location, and the level of review you expect.

Contact

Archaeological Consultants of Ossian P.O. Box 2374, Muncie, IN 47307 Phone: (765) 730-0524 Fax: (765) 289-6425