About Us

A Little Bit About Us:

The Archaeology Program, or Heritage Resource Management Program, on the Lincoln National Forest employs five archaeologists on a full-time basis, one archaeologist on a seasonal basis, and quite frequently employs three to five seasonal, summer employees.  These dedicated employees survey any and all areas where a proposed activity has been proposed to document, archive and preserve our heritage.

Photo:  A child's sandel nearly 3000 years old

Photo:  Corn cobs approximately 3000 years old.  Organic items such as these provide an excellent means to date a site based on Carbon-14 dating methods.

Our Process

Pedestrian survey, or walking across the land, is conducted to comply with Federal laws that require Federal Agencies to consider the effects of their projects on heritage sites.  Pedestrian survey is the first part of a process that ensures consideration of effects through a system of checks-and-balances between the State and Federal Agency.  Briefly, the process works like this:  a project is identified and an archaeologist is notified, then the archaeologist walks the project area looking for the remains of past human activity (artifacts, sites, features, etc.).  If evidence is located, the location is documented on forms and plotted on a map, then a report is written, then the report is sent to the State Historic Preservation Officer to see if they concur with the Agency recommendation.  If they concur, or no archaeological sites are discovered in the project area, the project can proceed.  If they disagree, further negotiation on how to lessen the effects (mitigate) to the site from the project occurs.  Usually, most sites can be avoided by project activities so the project can proceed. 

The process described above is referred to as the "106 process" because it is defined in Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.  The vast majority of Federal Agencies have archaeologists working for them to comply with this and other laws; the Forest Service is no exception and almost every Forest in the Nation employs a professional archaeologist.

Special Projects (back to top)

Passport In Time (back to top)

Passport in Time (PIT) is a volunteer program of the USDA Forest Service (FS).  PIT volunteers work with professional FS archaeologists and historians on national forests throughout the country on such diverse activities as archaeological excavation and survey, historic structure restoration, and analysis and curation of artifacts.  There is no registration fee.  The PIT Traveler, published in March and September, lists the projects and includes an application form.  You may also view the projects and apply on-line at Welcome to Passport in Time

The goal of PIT is to preserve the nation's past with the help of the public.  As a PIT volunteer, you will help us understand the human story in North America and preserve the sites that tell that story for our children and grandchildren.

PIT is available to everyone, regardless of age and ability.  The level of accessibility ranges from easy to difficult, depending on the activity and project location.  If you have a specific question about the physical requirements for any project, please contact the PIT Clearinghouse.

The Lincoln's Archaeological History (back to top)