North Carolina's archaeological resources represent over 14,000 years of culture and history. The Office of State Archaeology (OSA) is tasked with maintaining the North Carolina Archaeological Record Program, a list of archaeological sites recorded from across the state. More than 54,000 archaeological sites have been recorded in North Carolina, with the number of recorded sites increasing almost daily. As part of the North Carolina Archaeological Record Program, the OSA maintains archaeological site forms, associated site files (e.g., maps, photographs, artifact catalogs, etc.,), a report library, and a GIS database. 

Access to the site record inventory is limited to in-person visits. Individuals seeking to do background research at an OSA facility must be an archaeologist or historic preservation specialist and should meet or be operating under the supervision of an individual who meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for archaeology. It is expected individuals doing background research will have been trained in how to conduct research at the OSA prior to scheduling an appointment. 

Submit a request to conduct site file research

To protect sites from looting, OSA's data and inventory is protected by state statute and we reserve the right to restrict access to information when deemed necessary.

Site Files

The OSA maintains an archaeological site file database, including associated site forms and other site files such as maps, photographs, and artifact catalogs, all of which support the inventory.

Click the link below for links to the current archaeological site and cemetery forms, as well as OSA's Standards and Guidelines: 

More Site Form information

Report Library

The OSA houses a report library that consists of nearly 8,000 technical reports as well as reference library materials and other archaeological publications.

GIS

OSA maintains a GIS database of North Carolina's archaeological sites along with many archaeologically surveyed areas. The OSA accepts recorded sites and surveyed areas in either shapefile or geodatabase formats. Consultants and researchers who visit our Raleigh office have access to the GIS in its current state; however, at this time, we do not offer web-based access.