Archaeology
Archaeology at the Department of Historic Resources
The following department programs encourage and
support the identification, stewardship, and use of Virginia's significant
archaeological resources for maximum economic, educational, and cultural
benefits. Select a program title or a button image for more information.
Archaeological Site Stewardship. Do you have archaeological sites on your property? Private landowners and local governments can protect clues to our past by being stewards of archaeological properties within their ownership. Click here for information about being a good steward.
Virginia Archaeology Month 2007. Every October, Virginia celebrates Virginia archaeology at libraries, museums, historical societies, clubs, and on active archaeological sites. Events range from exhibits, lecture series, and tours, to special hands-on children's programs. The theme this year is Engaging Virginia's Past and the poster, featuring the excavations at Jamestown Fort, has been produced by APVA Preservation Virginia and DHR. Click on the poster image on the right to see the Calendar of Events.
Teaching Archaeology. Click here to learn about resources available to schools, organizations, and museums for teaching Virginia archaeology. In addition to the Virginia Indian Archaeological Resource Kit, a new African American Archaeological Resource Kit is now available. Click on this image to find out more, or contact one of the DHR regional archaeologists listed below.
Threatened Sites Program. Find out about how significant archaeological sites in Virginia that are threatened with destruction may be eligible for aid if no other funding is available for their rescue.
Collections. The department maintains a repository in Richmond that contains more than 5 million archaeological artifacts recovered from sites in Virginia. Click here to find out more about services provided at the DHR Curation Facility.
DHR Archaeological Report Series. Click here to see a list of archaeological reports available directly from DHR.
Regional Archaeology Programs. Most of the department’s archaeological survey, field, and technical assistance activities are conducted from four regional offices. If you have questions pertaining to local archaeology, need help identifying or managing an archaeological site, or need educational information or speakers about area archaeology, contact the archaeologist who serves your region.
Capital Chris Stevenson (804) 367-2323, ext. 132
Tidewater David Hazzard (757) 886-2820
Roanoke Tom Klatka (540) 857-6047
Northern Bob Jolley (540) 868-7032
Archaeology and Environmental Review. Both state and federal laws and procedures require that significant archaeological sites be identified and considered in a variety of public projects. In fact, more archaeological survey and excavation projects are conducted in Virginia as a result of these laws than for any other purpose. As the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), DHR assists federal and state agencies in meeting their responsibility to take historic properties into account in planning and carrying out their projects. The reports resulting from these agencies' efforts to identify, evaluate, and treat historic properties are available in the DHR archives. Visit the Environmental Review section, for more information.
Archaeological Permits. Conducting archaeological survey and excavations on private property does not require permission from the Department of Historic Resources unless it involves graves or cemeteries. Any archaeological work conducted on human graves—marked or unmarked—requires a permit from DHR (see permit application forms below). Any archaeological work on state-controlled lands requires a permit from DHR (see below). Removing objects from underwater historic sites requires a permit from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Any archaeological work or removal of historic artifacts from federal lands requires an Archaeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA) permit from the federal land manager for that property. For information on the ARPA, visit the National Park Service Web site.
Forms and Applications. The following DHR documents are available for printing, preparation and submission to: Department of Historic Resources, 2801 Kensington Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221. In order to read and print these forms, Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed on your computer (free software). Download Acrobat Reader now.
Archaeological Site Stewardship. Do you have archaeological sites on your property? Private landowners and local governments can protect clues to our past by being stewards of archaeological properties within their ownership. Click here for information about being a good steward.
Virginia Archaeology Month 2007. Every October, Virginia celebrates Virginia archaeology at libraries, museums, historical societies, clubs, and on active archaeological sites. Events range from exhibits, lecture series, and tours, to special hands-on children's programs. The theme this year is Engaging Virginia's Past and the poster, featuring the excavations at Jamestown Fort, has been produced by APVA Preservation Virginia and DHR. Click on the poster image on the right to see the Calendar of Events.
Teaching Archaeology. Click here to learn about resources available to schools, organizations, and museums for teaching Virginia archaeology. In addition to the Virginia Indian Archaeological Resource Kit, a new African American Archaeological Resource Kit is now available. Click on this image to find out more, or contact one of the DHR regional archaeologists listed below.
Threatened Sites Program. Find out about how significant archaeological sites in Virginia that are threatened with destruction may be eligible for aid if no other funding is available for their rescue.
Collections. The department maintains a repository in Richmond that contains more than 5 million archaeological artifacts recovered from sites in Virginia. Click here to find out more about services provided at the DHR Curation Facility.
DHR Archaeological Report Series. Click here to see a list of archaeological reports available directly from DHR.
Regional Archaeology Programs. Most of the department’s archaeological survey, field, and technical assistance activities are conducted from four regional offices. If you have questions pertaining to local archaeology, need help identifying or managing an archaeological site, or need educational information or speakers about area archaeology, contact the archaeologist who serves your region.
Capital Chris Stevenson (804) 367-2323, ext. 132
Tidewater David Hazzard (757) 886-2820
Roanoke Tom Klatka (540) 857-6047
Northern Bob Jolley (540) 868-7032
Archaeology and Environmental Review. Both state and federal laws and procedures require that significant archaeological sites be identified and considered in a variety of public projects. In fact, more archaeological survey and excavation projects are conducted in Virginia as a result of these laws than for any other purpose. As the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), DHR assists federal and state agencies in meeting their responsibility to take historic properties into account in planning and carrying out their projects. The reports resulting from these agencies' efforts to identify, evaluate, and treat historic properties are available in the DHR archives. Visit the Environmental Review section, for more information.
Archaeological Permits. Conducting archaeological survey and excavations on private property does not require permission from the Department of Historic Resources unless it involves graves or cemeteries. Any archaeological work conducted on human graves—marked or unmarked—requires a permit from DHR (see permit application forms below). Any archaeological work on state-controlled lands requires a permit from DHR (see below). Removing objects from underwater historic sites requires a permit from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Any archaeological work or removal of historic artifacts from federal lands requires an Archaeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA) permit from the federal land manager for that property. For information on the ARPA, visit the National Park Service Web site.
Forms and Applications. The following DHR documents are available for printing, preparation and submission to: Department of Historic Resources, 2801 Kensington Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221. In order to read and print these forms, Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed on your computer (free software). Download Acrobat Reader now.
- Guidelines for Conducting Cultural Resource Survey in Virginia (currently undergoing revision - contact staff for latest guidance)
- Archaeology Site Inventory Form
- Application for Archaeological Investigation on State Lands
- Permit Application for Removal of Human Burials
