Introduction
Prior to the initiation of fieldwork, a records search should be conducted at the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology (OSA). The purpose of this search is to determine whether any previously recorded archaeological sites are located in the project area and to better understand local cultural and historical contexts. Compiling and synthesizing information about previous work and sites in the vicinity around a project area allows for better prediction of site types that may be identified and provides a baseline of knowledge for making assessments of site significance.
Qualifications
Individuals seeking to do background research at an OSA facility must meet or be under the supervision of an individual who meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards as described in 36 CFR Part 61 (see Qualifications and Permitting). In situations where a supervised individual is to conduct records research, it is expected that they will have been trained and proficient in pertinent research methods, including use of GIS, prior to scheduling an appointment.
Making an Appointment
Prior to doing a record search, researchers must first make an appointment to access the files at the OSA Raleigh Office or Western Office. Please contact us at least 24 hours prior to when you would like to visit. Appointments are scheduled at the Raleigh Office for any day but Wednesday. Appointment availability at the Western Office may vary depending on staff schedules.
First time visitors must submit a Consultant Questionnaire and Curriculum Vitae for those who will be conducting the background research and all project directors/principal investigators who may work on North Carolina projects. An email that includes vitae for all staff listed on the questionnaire should be sent to osafilesearch@dncr.nc.gov. Your questionnaire will not be considered complete until all vitae have been received.
To make an appointment to do a records search at the Raleigh or Western office, please submit a Site File Research Scheduling Form. Records searches for compliance projects must include an ER number in the appointment request. Compliance projects must be reviewed by the OSA before initiating the background research process.
A guide to conducting site file research at the OSA is provided in Appendix A of the PDF version of this document. Printed and digital versions of the guide are available at the Raleigh and Western offices for use during your appointment.
Accessing Records
Maps
Site locations, reviewed areas, and surveyed areas are added to OSA’s Geographic Information System (GIS), which is available for access during background research appointments on computers in the Raleigh and Western offices. Scans of the paper topographic quadrangle maps used for these records prior to 2012 are accessible as base-mapping in GIS. Most of the data from the paper maps have been digitized.
Site Forms
OSA staff are in the process of scanning site forms for all previously recorded sites. Data from many site forms have been added to a site database (SiteForm) that is available on computers in the Raleigh and Western offices. Site forms that have not yet been data entered or scanned are available in boxes stored in the map room and are organized by county.
Reports
Many reports are now available in digital form on computers in the Raleigh and Western offices. Paper copies of all reports are stored at the Raleigh Office library. The Western Office has paper copies of reports from the western counties up to 2021.