Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A. Record all archaeological sites located
within the project area and include the portions of sites that extend outside
of the APE or project area if the entirety of the site lies on state land. If a
portion of the site lies on land not owned, controlled or operated by a state
agency, the portion on state land shall be recorded. If permission for access
can be obtained from the owner of the remaining portion of the site, record the
entire site. If permission cannot be obtained from the owner of the remaining
portion of the site, document observations about features outside of, but
visible from the APE or project area.
B. If large sites extend outside the APE or
project area, record all features and artifacts within and immediately adjacent
to the APE or project area and make observations about features outside of but
visible from the project area. Incorporate observations made by previous
recorders regarding the sites and how those observations relate to the part of
the site recorded during the current project.
C. Document all archaeological sites on an LA
archaeological site record form consistent with this section and the NMCRIS
guidelines for submitting archaeological records, July 1993, available from the
ARMS website http://potsuii.arms.state.nm.us/.
Additional forms may be used at the discretion of the permittee. The LA
archaeological site record shall be typed or word-processed. Complete the
following fields except for SHPO consultation.
(1) Identification and ownership. Include LA
number, site name(s), other site numbers(s), agency assigning number, current
site owner(s) and site update.
(2)
Recording information. Include the NMCRIS number, field site number, site
marker, recorder(s), agency, recording date, site accessibility, surface
visibility, remarks, recording activities, description of analysis or
excavation activities, photographic documentation, surface collections, records
inventory, repository for original records and repository for collected
artifacts.
(3) Condition. Include
archaeological status (surface collection, test excavation, partial excavation,
complete excavation), source of disturbance, vandalism, percentage of site
intact and observations on site condition.
(4) Recorder recommendations. Include
national register eligibility and criteria, basis for the recommendation,
assessment of project impacts and treatment recommendations.
(5) SHPO consultation for use by SHPO and
agency or sponsor. Leave section blank.
(6) Location. Identify source graphics;
map-based or global position system-based (GPS) coordinates to 10-meter
accuracy; directions to site; town, county and state; USGS 7.5-minute
(1:24,000) topographic quadrangle name, date and code; public land survey
system (PLSS) unplatted or township, range, section, quarter-section to nearest
40-acre unit and protraction. Indicate if PLSS is protracted.
(7) Physical description. Include site
dimensions, basis for dimensions, site area, basis for area, site boundaries,
depositional and erosional environment, stratigraphy and depth of
archaeological deposits, estimated depth of deposits, basis for depth
determinations, observations on subsurface archaeological deposits, local
vegetation, vegetative community, topographic location and observations on site
setting.
(8) Assemblage data.
Include assemblage content for lithics, prehistoric ceramics, historic
artifacts and other artifacts and materials, assemblage size by artifact class,
dating potential and assemblage remarks including description of
assemblage.
(9) Cultural and
temporal affiliation(s). Include total number of components defined and the
following information for each component: cultural affiliation, basis for
temporal affiliation, period of occupation, beginning and ending dates, dating
status, basis for affiliation, component type and remarks.
(10) Feature data. Include feature type,
reliability of identification, number observed, associated component number,
feature identification number(s), notes and remarks.
(11) References. Include written sources of
information and additional sources of information.
(12) Narrative site description. Provide a
complete description of the site, features and assemblages and interpretation
of the site, features and intrasite proveniences. This information provides the
basis for site evaluation and future nomination of the site to the state or
national registers.
(13) Site
record attachments. Append a copy of 7.5-minute (1:24,000) topographic
quadrangle scale with the location of the site, the site sketch map or site
plan,continuation forms and any other materials.
D.
Newly recorded sites.
(1) Complete all data items within every
section of the LA archaeological site record.
(2) Prepare a detailed site plan map for each
newly recorded site located during the survey. The map may be a scaled sketch
map or an instrument-generated map. Each map shall display:
(a) LA number;
(b) north arrow (indicate if true north
and/or magnetic north);
(c) map
scale and scale bar;
(d) key that
identifies all symbols used on the map;
(e) site boundary (indicate whether the
boundary is complete or incomplete);
(f) features, feature numbers, the
distribution of artifacts and artifact concentrations;
(g) site datum (indicate whether the datum is
temporary or permanent);
(h)
collection and limited test units, if any;
(i) photographic points;
(j) natural features such as drainages, rock
outcrops, vegetation patterns and other noncultural manifestations within or
adjacent to the site and topography as represented by estimated contour
lines;
(k) boundary of the APE or
project area relative to the site or distance and direction to the project if
the site is away from areas of ground disturbance;
(l) cultural or natural landmarks within or
adjacent to the site (such as roads, fences, buildings, benchmarks);
(m) location and extent of any vandalized or
disturbed areas of the site; and
(n) the name of the map artist(s),
institutional affiliation and date the map was drawn.
E.
Previously recorded
sites.
(1) Review and update the
information obtained during the pre-field files check pursuant to 4.10.15.9
NMAC consistent with the standards set forth below. Special attention shall be
paid to changes in physical description and assemblage data resulting from
natural or cultural modifications to the site since the last site visit.
(a) If an archaeological site has been
documented on an LA archaeological site record since January 1994 and all data
items in all sections of the form are complete and accurate, check the site
update box and complete the identification and ownership, recording
information, condition and recommendations sections.
(b) If an archaeological site has been
documented on an LA archaeological site record since January 1994 but some
information is incomplete or incorrect, update the incomplete or incorrect
sections and clearly differentiate observations made during the current survey
from observations made by previous recorders. Check the site update box and
complete the identification and ownership, recording information, condition,
recommendations and narrative site description sections. Summarize changes and
updates in the narrative site description section.
(c) If the site was recorded prior to January
1994 and has not been updated since that time, complete all fields of the
current version of the LA archaeological site record. Note any changes in
condition or content from the earlier field recording.
(d) If the previously recorded site cannot be
relocated, check the site update box on the LA archaeological site record and
complete the identification and ownership, recording information, condition,
recommendations and narrative site description sections. Explain in the
narrative site description section specific efforts that were made to find the
site and possible reason(s) the site could not be relocated.
(2) Prepare a new detailed site
plan map for each previously recorded site following the standards in
4.10.15.11D NMAC. Annotated copies of existing maps are not acceptable. The
site plan shall be based on the previous site map and should include important
features of the previous map along with new observations. Observations made
during the current survey shall be clearly distinguished from the observations
made on the existing map.
F.
Documentation of features.
Individual features shall be illustrated if the form of a feature cannot be
accurately rendered on the site plan map. Measurements shall be taken in metric
units unless the feature is historic and English measurements are more
appropriate. Render standing structures and other standing features in both
plan and elevation.
G.
In-field artifact analysis. Perform in-field analysis on all or a sample
of all classes of surface-visible artifacts including but not limited to
lithics, ceramics and historic artifacts. The size of the sample shall be
sufficient to document the full variety of types of artifacts represented at
the site and to delineate intrasite activity areas. Formal, bounded sample
units are recommended. Required information may be documented in a table, on a
form developed by the individual or firm performing the survey or on a form
required by the state agency. Required information includes class of artifact,
make, type or series and other attributes that relate to interpretation of
chronology, form and function. If measurements will aid in the identification
or classification, measure artifacts with a ruler, tape or calipers.
Measurement shall be taken in metric units unless the artifact is historic and
English measurements are more appropriate. Illustrations or photographs of
diagnostic artifacts are encouraged. Attach copies of the in-field analysis
forms, narrative descriptions and illustrations to the LA archaeological site
record.
H.
Photography.
(1) Take photographs of
all newly recorded and previously recorded sites. Photograph the following
subjects:
(a) general setting of the site
within its boundaries; incorporate features or background landmarks in site
setting photographs;
(b) individual
cultural features;
(c)
representative diagnostic artifacts or items representative of the major
classes of artifacts within the site assemblage; and
(d) scale and photographic board.
(2) Photographs shall conform to
the standards detailed below.
(a)
Black-and-white negatives, prints, color transparencies, color prints or
digitally captured images are all acceptable media. Black-and-white images
printed on silver-emulsion resin-coated paper or black-and-white prints
produced from digital images that meet or exceed a 75-year-permanence standard
as defined by the national park service, national register of historic places,
are preferred for archival stability. Digital images shall not be submitted on
compact discs. Attach a photographic log that includes, but is not limited to,
the NMCRIS number, the LA number, provenience, content, orientation,
photographer and date.
(b) Submit
all photographic materials in archivally stable sleeves as an attachment to the
report. Do not append photographs to the LA archaeological site record. Prints,
negatives and slides shall be sleeved in page preservers made to fit the format
size. Label the back of prints or slide sleeves with pencil or archivally
approved photographic ink. Do not label with a ballpoint pen, permanent ink or
adhesive labels.
(c) Do not affix
photographs to paper with glue, tape or staples.
(d) Digital images shall not be submitted on
compact discs. If digital images are submitted, print on acid-free paper using
a toner-based printer.
I. Other agency requirements. The state
agency may require other recording activities. The state agency may also
require the permanent or temporary marking of the site datum and/or boundaries.
Contact the archaeologist at the agency to see if additional recording or
marking procedures are required.
