New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 4 - CULTURAL RESOURCES
Chapter 10 - CULTURAL PROPERTIES AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Part 11 - ISSUANCE OF PERMITS TO EXCAVATE UNMARKED HUMAN BURIALS IN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
Section 4.10.11.10 - GUIDELINES FOR EXCAVATION OF HUMAN BURIALS

Universal Citation: 4 NM Admin Code 4.10.11.10

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024

A. Methodology:

(1) Excavation of human burials will be consistent with current professional archaeological standards.

(2) Specific excavation methods may be stipulated by the permitting authority.

B. Records: The following documents will be prepared whenever a burial is excavated.

(1) archaeological records management system (ARMS) forms for each burial ground, if not previously recorded;

(2) plan maps of each burial and associated funerary objects, material objects or artifacts;

(3) photographs of each burial in situ with associated funerary objects, material objects or artifacts;

(4) description of field methodology, including observations about soils and the context of each burial within the burial ground.

C. Analysis of human remains will include but is not limited to:

(1) sex, age, basic measurements;

(2) pathologies;

(3) photodocumentation.

D. Analysis of associated funerary objects, material objects, or artifacts will include, but is not limited to:

(1) a written inventory list of all items associated with the burial and removed from the burial ground, to be submitted to the SHPO before final disposition of the remains. The list must be specific in terms of material, typology, quantity and condition of the items recovered (e.g., 2 sherds of a Rio Grande Glaze A bowl, 4 complete projectile points and 1 bone awl).

(2) scaled photographs of all recovered items, to be submitted with written inventory. The photographs should be labeled with the name of the permittee, provenience of the burial (e.g., burial number, site number, county), date of excavation and disposition of items (e.g., reburied on site, curatorial repository).

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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