Since 1985, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) has administered a program for threatened archaeological sites in Virginia. Sites considered for funding must be at least of statewide significance and under threat of destruction. Potential sites are evaluated by a Threatened Sites Committee composed of DHR staff and members of the archaeological community of Virginia. Funds are committed for assessment, excavation, laboratory processing and analysis, and reporting on the identified threatened site. If a site cannot be saved, the funds are used to gather as much information as possible before it is lost forever. Presently, a budget of $50,000 is provided by the Virginia General Assembly and the Governor to DHR to distribute.

The Archeological Society of Virginia (ASV) is a 501(c)3 organization established in 1940 to bring together professional archaeologists and avocational archaeological enthusiasts that have a shared interest in the Commonwealth. The purposes of the Society are to promote the study of archeology and anthropology, especially but not limited to, the Pre-Contact and historic periods in Virginia; to work for the proper conservation and exploration of archeological sites and materials; to encourage the scientific study of archeological sites and materials and to discourage careless, misdirected or commercial collecting of artifacts; to promote the spread of archeological knowledge through the media of publications, meetings, lectures, exhibits, etc.; and to collaborate with individuals, organizations and agencies that serve the same purposes as those of this Society.

The goal of this project is to raise funds to provide an additional source of funding for DHR’s Threatened Sites program through the ASV. The funds will be directed by the ASV to projects recommended by the Threatened Sites Committee.

Methodology

The DHR Threatened Sites Program has stringent requirements that the site and research methodology must meet to be considered for funding. A project proposal must be submitted to DHR for screening before grants will be awarded. The proposal must include information on:

• Property Owner
• Period/Area of Significance
• Type of Project (archaeological assessment, archaeological excavation, specialized analysis, human remains reinterment, or final report preparation)
• Estimated Cost

Applicants also need to provide information on the proposed scope of work, including the level of documentation considered, level of potential significance, degree of integrity, representation/underrepresentation in region, degree and immediacy of threat, and future potential of avoiding threat. DHR also takes into consideration if the proposed project is a continuation/outgrowth of an earlier project funded through the Threatened Sites program and if the proposed site is currently listed in the State/National Registers or if a decision of potential eligibility has been made by DHR. If the proposed project requires issuance of any state or federal permit or requires that DHR follow regulatory permit requirements, information on which permits and processes will need to be provided as well.

A final report documenting the work conducted is required to be submitted to DHR once the work has been completed.

Curation plan

Principal investigators are responsible for creating a curation plan for artifacts recovered and coordinating with DHR for long term storage.

Virginia component description

Excavations will take place in Virginia.

Public product

Determined for each project through consultation with DHR.