Incorporating Existing Archaeological Collections into Cultural Resource Management Mitigation

Abstract Excavation is strongly embedded in cultural resource management (CRM) in the United States as the preferred mitigation of impacts of development, maintenance, or management projects on federal land, funded by federal money, or constructed under federal permits. The law allows more diversity in mitigation than is typically practiced. Consciously integrating the assessment, rehabilitation, research, and interpretation of existing collections of artifacts and associated records into projects conducted in compliance with government regulations is a responsible and public-serving approach to preserving heritage. Case studies from Virginia, New Mexico, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Arizona provide a basis for critically evaluating the challenges and possibilities of this work. Because archaeologists may have less experience reusing existing collections in compliance, the article describes how to assess when such work is an appropriate mitigation and how to identify existing collections, conduct the due diligence involved, and integrate collections work into preservation programs and projects planned within a consultation framework. It also notes that incorporating existing collections can be an effective element of state-, Tribal-, and local-, as well as federal-level compliance. The article concludes by identifying the structures that are in place to support this work and where additional training and resources will be needed.