Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 16 - History, Humanities and Arts
Part 3 - Historic Preservation Division
Chapter 12 - Mississippi Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations
Rule 16-3-12.4.0 - Criteria for Qualified Professional Archaeologists

1. Have a graduate degree in anthropology, archaeology, or closely related field, plus:

2. At least one year of full-time professional experience or equivalent specialized training in archaeological research, administration, or management;

3. At least four months of supervised field and analytic experience in general North American archaeology;

4. Have demonstrated ability to carry research to completion.

In addition to these minimum qualifications, a Principal Investigator in prehistoric archaeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archaeological resources of the prehistoric period. A Principal Investigator in historical archaeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archaeological resources of the historic period.

The Field Director/s shall also have a graduate degree in anthropology, archaeology, or closely related field, and have considerable experience and demonstrated ability to successfully function in a supervisory capacity. This person should possess formal training and considerable experience in archaeological theory, methodology, analysis, interpretation, and report preparation, and have demonstrated the ability to recognize and evaluate both historic and prehistoric cultural features.

Field Crew Member/s shall have an undergraduate degree in anthropology, archaeology, or closely related field, or possess considerable experience and have demonstrated the ability to recognize and evaluate both historic and prehistoric cultural features and artifacts.

Any archaeologist conducting archaeological research (Phase I, II, and III) should have access to:

1. Adequate field and laboratory equipment to conduct the survey, excavation, or other research; and

2. Adequate facilities to properly treat, analyze, and temporarily curate cultural material obtained as a result of the investigation.

The following requirements are those used by the National Park Service, and have been previously published in the Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR Part 61. The qualifications define minimum education and experience required to perform identification, evaluation, registration, and treatment activities. In some cases, additional areas or levels of expertise may be needed, depending on the complexity of the task and the nature of the historic properties involved. In the following definitions, a year of fulltime professional experience need not consist of a continuous year of full-time work but may be made up of discontinuous periods of full-time or part-time work adding up to the equivalent of a year of full-time experience.

1. At least two years of full-time experience in research, writing, teaching, interpretation, or other demonstrable professional activity with an academic institution, historic organization or agency, museum, or other professional institution; or

2. Substantial contribution through research and publication to the body of scholarly knowledge in the field of history.

1. At least one year of full-time professional experience or equivalent specialized training in archeological research, administration or management;

2. At least four months of supervised field and analytic experience in general North American archeology, and

3. Demonstrated ability to carry research to completion.

4. In addition to these minimum qualifications, a professional in prehistoric archeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archeological resources of the prehistoric period. A professional in historic archeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archeological resources of the historic period.

Architectural History

The minimum professional qualifications in architectural history are a graduate degree in architectural history, art history, historic preservation, or closely related field, with coursework in American architectural history, or a bachelor's degree in architectural history, art history, historic preservation or closely related field plus one of the following:

1. At least two years of full-time experience in research, writing, or teaching in American architectural history or restoration architecture with an academic institution, historical organization or agency, museum, or other professional institution; or

2. Substantial contribution through research and publication to the body of scholarly knowledge in the field of American architectural history.

1. At least one year of graduate study in architectural preservation, American architectural history, preservation planning, or closely related field; or

2. At least one year of full-time professional experience on historic preservation projects.

3. Such graduate study or experience shall include detailed investigations of historic structures, preparation of historic structures research reports, and preparation of plans and specifications for preservation projects.