Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A.
Purpose. A research design
explains the purpose of the project, the scope of work proposed and how the
fieldwork and analysis of the archaeological site(s) or area(s) of historic and
scientific interest contributes to a greater understanding of the cultural
heritage of the state. Research designs shall take into account broad regional
research needs and strive to fill in gaps in current state of knowledge.
Research designs shall be realistic and attainable from the nature of the
site(s) to be investigated and shall be flexible enough to accommodate
unanticipated discoveries. At a minimum, a research design shall include the
following components and shall be prepared consistent to the excavation
standards in 4.10.16.12 NMAC.
B.
Components. The length of each section shall be appropriate to
the complexity and scale of the study.
(1)
Title page. Do not obtain a NMCRIS number for research
designs.
(2)
Table of
contents, lists of figures and tables. Prepare for documents with more
than 10 pages of text.
(3)
Purpose of the study. Provide a succinct overview of the proposed study
including:
(a) goals, name and brief
description of the history of the project;
(b) list of sites to be studied by LA number
and land status;
(c) the project
sponsor (client), state agency and other land jurisdictions if any;
and
(d) project location and
project map depicting the location and boundaries of the site(s) to be
excavated by LA site number, land ownership boundaries, north arrow, key and
name of appropriate 7.5-minute USGS source quadrangle(s).
(4)
Research context. The
context provides a foundation for the development of specific research
questions. Scale the discussion to the complexity, size and limitations of the
proposed study. The length of each discussion may vary but include the
following elements:
(a) review of pertinent
literature including, but not limited to, statewide and regional
cultural-historical overviews and historic contexts, research designs,
published archaeological, ethnographic and historical monographs and articles,
cultural resource management technical reports and field reports sufficient to
identify gaps in the current state of knowledge;
(b) query NMCRIS database and map server to
identify sites of similar types and age in the project area to establish
baseline information for comparative purposes;
(c) discussion of the theoretical orientation
and assumptions guiding the proposed research;
(d) identification of general research
problems and topics relevant to the region; discuss the research problems in
the context of the culture history and knowledge of the area and current
research gaps; draw on existing knowledge of research conducted at similar
types of sites near the project area; and
(e) specification of research questions;
provide a clear link between the questions and the theoretical
assumptions.
(5)
Current knowledge of the site(s). Summarize previous work at the site,
the site's national register eligibility, immediate environmental setting, site
size, the number and type of known features, the types and quantity of
artifacts and activity areas, the potential depth of cultural deposits in
different areas of the site, and site integrity and extent of disturbed versus
unexcavated areas.
(6)
Specific research questions. Provide a clear link between the research
questions and the general research problems. Identify the specific kinds of
data needed to address the questions and explain how the site(s) to be
excavated are likely to contain data relevant to address the questions. Take
into account current knowledge of the site or site type in this
discussion.
(7)
Specific
procedures to test or excavate the site(s). If more than one site is to
be excavated, specify the activities to be performed at each site. Discuss the
proposed methods to:
(a) determine site
limits;
(b) identify, document and
assess features;
(c) define surface
artifact distributions, densities and intrasite activity areas; and
(d) determine the depth of cultural
deposits.
(8)
Procedures to operationalize the plan. At a minimum, discuss:
(a) procedures used to map the
site;
(b) methods for surface
collections and recordation; specify the method of collection, grid size or
point provenience, in-field analysis if proposed, the minimum number of grid
units to be collected and recorded and sampling fraction (percent of site area
to be collected and recorded);
(c)
the type(s) of hand excavation units and sampling fraction (the percent of site
area to be excavated for each unit type); for systematic auger holes, explain
the placement, interval, and minimum number of units and size of the area
excavated in square meters; for excavation units and trenches, specify the size
(dimensions), placement and minimum number to be excavated;
(d) the type, placement and minimum number of
mechanical excavation units (trenches) and their length, width and depth;
specify the percent of site area to be excavated with mechanical equipment
including horizontal scraping;
(e)
specialized samples (radiocarbon, pollen and other samples or specimens);
specify the methods and conditions under which samples will be collected,
processed and analyzed;
(f)
procedures if human burials are encountered consistent with 4.10.11
NMAC;
(g) procedures for monitoring
during construction will be implemented; the proposed monitoring shall be
consistent with the standards in 4.10.17 NMAC; and
(h) procedures for notification in the event
of contingencies for unanticipated discoveries.
(9)
Backfill. Discuss
procedures to backfill and stabilize the site.
(10)
Analytical procedures.
Provide a specific link between the research questions, data needed to address
the research questions and proposed analytical procedures to generate the
necessary data from observations and material remains recovered from the site.
Specify the types, quantities and quality of data needed to address the
research questions. Discuss the descriptive and comparative analyses for each
class of artifact and type of specimen expected to be recovered from the sites.
Include the proposed typology that will be used to describe the assemblage
content and specific attributes to be observed. Consider the kinds of
measurement that will be used, justifications for sampling and minimum
thresholds for statistical validity. Include copies of all analysis forms in
the appendix if they differ from the forms provided in the application
submitted pursuant to 4.10.8 NMAC. Discuss sampling strategy and sampling
fraction if all artifacts and specimens collected will not be analyzed. Explain
the provisions that will be made for the collection and analysis of data that
are not directly related to your stated research problems. Minimally, a
representative sample of all recovered materials shall be analyzed.
(11)
Schedule. Explain the
expected time frame to implement the field, analysis and reporting phases of
the project.
(12)
Personnel. Identify all supervisory personnel and analysts who will
perform the fieldwork, laboratory analyses and prepare the report. Include
subcontractors if any are proposed and off-site laboratories for proposed
specialized analyses. If specific personnel or subcontractors have not been
identified for all activities, provide a list of personnel or subcontractors
who may be retained, or list the minimum qualifications of the personnel that
will be retained.
(13)
Curation. Identify the proposed repository; if the repository will not
be the MIAC, provide justification pursuant to 4.10.8 NMAC.
(14)
References
cited.
(15)
Appendices, as needed.