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 As the number of projects that are subjected to Federal permitting continue to rise, developers are frequently required
to conduct archaeological investigations prior to land development. In order to prepare clients for the likelihood
of being required to conduct an archaeological investigation, ESI’s Archaeology Division can perform a preliminary
archaeological assessment during the due diligence phase of a project. This can help prospective land developers
plan the use of the property more effectively or help prospective property buyers estimate the land’s potential
and aid in creating accurate budgets. Preliminary assessments are also particularly useful when generating archaeological
survey budgets for large project areas.
Preliminary archaeological assessments can include the following steps:
- State site file examination of the property and surrounding areas
- Historic map research
- Informant interviews
- Consideration of environmental variables within the property
- Pedestrian survey and limited shovel testing (if requested)
- Determination of archaeological site predictive zones
- Preparation of a letter report (client’s use only)
A letter report is generated that presents the findings of the preliminary archaeological
assessment. This report is for the client’s use only, but can be
submitted to a review agency if deemed necessary. Prices vary depending on
the size of the parcel and/or the level of information requested.
ESI Capabilities
ESI Archaeology staff have prepared preliminary archaeological evaluations in North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. Furthermore, the ESI Geo-Graphics department has obtained up-to-date
archaeological site data from some of these states, which allows for such information to be gathered quickly inhouse,
as opposed to requesting it formally from state entities.
Value to Client
Preliminary archaeological assessments are especially valuable to clients in the following circumstances: assessing
the potential for an archaeological investigation to be required as part of the permitting process, determining
whether potentially eligible or eligible cultural resources have already been recorded with the project tract and in
assessing the potential for encountering significant cultural resources during a cultural resource survey. |
