Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 16 - History, Humanities and Arts
Part 3 - Historic Preservation Division
Chapter 12 - Mississippi Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations
Rule 16-3-12.10.0 - Laboratory and Curation Guidelines

While minimum standards for artifact processing, analyses, and curation are outlined below, investigators should tailor their activities to the unique aspects of each project. Overall, it is advisable to consult with MSSHPO, the curatorial facility, and any specialists early in the planning process.

Processing, analyzing, and curating artifacts must occur in secure and safe environments to prevent loss of significant data. The Principal Investigator (PI) and Field Director (FD) are ultimately responsible for ensuring that artifact data and integrity are preserved.

The laboratory staff responsible for basic artifact processing and analysis must have sufficient knowledge to do the job, have access to appropriate comparative collections, and have access to experts when needed. Laboratory staff should have an undergraduate degree in anthropology, archaeology or closely related field. Laboratory Managers (LM) may oversee the analysis and identification in lieu of the PI or FD, but they should also have the appropriate professional qualification standards with an advanced degree in archaeology (or similar field). The LM should also have at least six months of supervised experience in both prehistoric and historic archaeology, similar to SOI Standards of Qualification under 36 CFR Part 61. Additionally, laboratory staff and/or the Project Archaeologist should have training in basic curatorial procedures.