Cultural Resources
Prehistoric
cultural resources are abundant at the Nevada Test Site (NTS),
indicating Native Americans have occupied the region for more than
10,000 years. Historic artifacts of more recent origin are also present,
reflecting use by miners, ranchers and settlers who traveled through the
area. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security
Administration Nevada Site Office is committed to protecting these
resources because they provide valuable evidence about the past human
occupation of the NTS, and they are of cultural and religious
significance for native Paiute and Shoshone peoples.
Before the initiation of land-disturbing or building and structure
modifications at the NTS, archeologists conduct cultural resource
surveys or historical evaluations to identify important cultural and
historical resources, evaluate the cultural and historical significance
and assess impacts. Native American representatives also conduct
cultural assessments of proposed land disturbances to identify resources
that may be of religious or cultural significance to American Indians.
Refer to the following Fact Sheet for more information:
Protecting Cultural Resources at the NTS [PDF,
152KB]
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