GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
RESOURCE IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Heritage Research Permits (Archaeology) may be granted by the Minister
for:
(A) Archaeological Reconnaissance;
(B) Archaeological Research;
(C) Archaeological Resource Impact Assessment.
Category C permits may be issued to an individual who will be responsible
for the conduct of an archaeological and/or historical investigation in
advance of real or proposed development activities. The permit holder is
responsible for the communication of results and the performance of project
assistants. Persons who intend to conduct monitoring, reconnaissance, survey,
excavation or other pre-development archaeological assessments on land
or underwater must apply for a category C permit. Category C permits require
professional qualifications in archaeology.
The purpose of an archaeological resource impact assessment is to ensure
that significant archaeological or historical remains are protected from
accidental or unknowing disturbance. The investigation phase will involve
one or more basic procedures, any of which may provide information and
recommendations that will allow decisions to be made by the developer and/or
the regulator. The purpose of the investigative stage is to gather sufficient
information to allow these decisions to be made.
I. Investigative
Stage
It should be noted that the developer may decide to abandon or alter
their development plans, and that Museum may clear any development,
at any stage of the investigation. These decisions will be made by the
respective agencies on the basis of the results of the investigation up
to that time.
Background research is an important component of any investigation,
as it serves to identify known sites and helps set the historical context
for any remains found in the area under investigation. Background research
of the study area may include, but is not limited to:
Documentary Research: the N.S. Museum Archaeological Site File, the
N.S. Heritage Building Inventory, the Canadian Inventory of Historic Buildings,
the records of the Receiver of Wreck, etc.; legal land survey records,
archival records, etc.; local and regional histories, etc.; relevant ecological
studies; air photos, side scan radar images, and topographical maps;
Direct Consultation: contact individuals and organizations with knowledge
of the archaeological and historical resources in the study area;
Preliminary field visit to assess on site conditions and facilitate
plans for further studies.
Based on the results of these preliminary investigations, the developer
may decide to abandon or alter their development plans or the Museum may
clear the development from further assessment requirements. These scenarios
are most likely if significant resources are located (the former), or if
nothing is found and potential is low (the latter).
Limited Testing is another form of investigation and is required if
archaeological or historical remains are suspected, or located, during
preliminary investigations. It consists of an examination of a defined
area, including subsurface deposits, for the purpose of obtaining information
on the archaeological resources located on, in or under the land, or underwater.
This type of investigation will establish the location and the nature of
archaeological and historical resources in the proposed development area.
In addition, limited testing will provide the basis for one or more recommendations
to the Museum. These recommendations may suggest that the site be cleared
for development, that further work be undertaken or that the development
be moved or halted to protect a significant archaeological or historical
remains. The appropriate course of action will be determined by the Museum.
Extensive Testing may be required where preliminary investigations suggest
that an important resource may be threatened with disturbance by the proposed
development. More information may be required before the Museum can make
a determination on appropriate mitigation. Once completed and reported
upon, final mitigation measures may be developed. Types of mitigation are
described below.
II. Mitigation Stage
The purpose of mitigation is to ensure that significant archaeological
or historical remains are protected from disturbance, or where that is
not feasible, that the information recovered is sufficient in quantity
and quality to justify the destruction of a non-renewable heritage resource.
Monitoring may be required in those cases where development is to take
place in areas which could not be adequately tested. It requires the presence
of a trained archaeologist during all ground-disturbing activities unless
otherwise directed by the Museum. Upon the discovery of archaeological
or historical remains, all development activity must cease until the remains
are evaluated and commencement is permitted by the Museum.
Avoidance is the preferred type of mitigation for significant archaeological
and historical remains. In some cases it may be the only options, but in
others excavation may be permitted.
In instances where a significant site must be destroyed, full or partial
excavation may be required. Excavation is a specific field research program
carried out for the purpose of locating and systematically recovering archaeological
resources by controlled excavation techniques. It also includes the analysis
of data, conservation of artifacts and interpretation of results.
APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS
An applicant for a Category C (archaeological resource impact assessment)
permit must be able to demonstrate relevant ability through documentation
of previous training and experience in the following areas:
1. the award of an advanced degree in archaeology, anthropology,
or other relevant discipline from an accredited university, a B.A. in archaeology/anthropology
with an equivalent combination of training and experience, or an equivalent
combination of training and experience acceptable to the Nova Scotia Museum;
2. a minimum of 20 weeks participation in archaeological
field projects involving survey, excavation and analysis, with at least
10 of those weeks in a supervisory capacity;
3. the demonstrated ability to design, execute and supervise
all aspects of a study comparable in scope and nature to the project described
in the application, including the preparation and timely submission of
a satisfactory report and supporting documents and materials.
The applicant must also have:
1. complied with all conditions of previous permits in
Nova Scotia;
2. access to facilities necessary to carry out field work,
analysis and report preparation, including the safe storage of archaeological
materials for the duration of the project; and
3. access to specialist services such as conservation and
analysis when each service may be required by the nature, scope and design
of the proposed project.
Underwater surveys involving sub-surface testing or the collection of artifacts
must be conducted by a qualified archaeologist who is also an appropriately
qualified diver.
APPLICATION
PROCEDURES AND GENERAL CONDITIONS
I. Permit Application
A person who applies for a Heritage Research Permit (Archaeology) shall
submit to the Minister through the Executive Director of the Nova Scotia
Museum an application form, obtainable from the Nova Scotia Museum.
A permit application must be submitted by the individual who will assume
responsibility for all aspects of the project, in the field and in the
laboratory.
An application for a Category C permit must be received by the Executive
Director, Nova Scotia Museum no later that two weeks (10 working days)
prior to the commencement of the project.
Exceptions to submission deadlines will be considered only under unusual
circumstances.
The application form for a Category C permit shall be accompanied by:
II. Description
of Project
All applications for a Heritage Research Permit (Archaeology) must
be accompanied by a complete 'Description of Project'. For Archaeological
Resource Impact Assessment permit applications, the information should
be provided in the format given below. Failure to submit a complete application
will delay approval of the permit until such time as all requirements are
fulfilled.
1. Name:
2. Address:
3. Occupation:
4. Employer/Agency:
5. Date of Commencement of Field Investigations:
6. Date of Termination of Field Investigations:
7. Summary of Project:
8. Project Description
(a) description of the development;
(b) nature of land disturbances in relation to sites;
(c) scheduling;
(d) size of area to be disturbed;
(e) name and address of landowner;
(f) name and address of developer;
(g) research plans, methods (indicate how field documentation
is to be kept);
(h) indicate conservation facilities and/or funding available
to complete project.
9. Location of Project (Attach a 1:50000 map or larger scale
indicating the location).
The applicant for a Category C permit shall also:
10. Provide a current curriculum vitae including the applicant's
educational background, any relevant scientific publications to the applicant's
credit, all institutions to which the applicant has been attached since
the completion of his/her university studies and the applicant's status
at each institution, as well as any experience pertinent to the proposed
project (and in the case of multiple permit applications by an individual
within any calendar year a curriculum vitae need only be submitted with
the first application in that year). It should include documentation evidencing
that the applicant:
(a) has been awarded an advanced degree in archaeology,
anthropology or other relevant discipline at an accredited university,
a B.A. in archaeology/ anthropology with an equivalent combination of training
and experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience
acceptable to the Nova Scotia Museum;
(b) has a minimum of 20 weeks participation in archaeological
field projects involving survey, excavation and analysis, with at least
10 of those weeks in a supervisory capacity;
(c) has demonstrated the ability to design, execute and
supervise all aspects of a study comparable in scope and nature to the
project described in the application, including the preparation and timely
submission of a satisfactory report and supporting documents and materials;
11. Provide evidence that the applicant has complied with all
conditions of previous permits in Nova Scotia;
12. Provide evidence that the applicant has access to facilities
necessary to carry out field work, analysis, and report preparation, including
the safe storage of archaeological materials for the duration of the project;
13. Provide evidence that the applicant has made adequate
provision for specialist services when may be required according to the
nature, scope and design of the project.
14. Demonstrate that adequate resources, including budgets
and facilities, have been allocated for conservation;
15. Provide for the services of a conservator approved by
the Nova Scotia Museum who will assume responsibility for the archaeological
resources recovered, if the proposed project is likely to result in the
recovery of materials requiring extensive conservation treatment;
16. Submit a current curriculum vitae demonstrating the
conservator's educational background, employment experience, any relevant
scientific publications to the conservator's credit as well as any experience
pertinent to the proposed project with the permit application;
III. General Conditions
1. If a Heritage Research Permit (Archaeology) is issued,
the Description of Project shall be considered to form part of the permit.
2. A permit is valid only for the permit period, which is
restricted to the calendar year of issue. Any work planned for subsequent
calendar years will require separate permits for each calendar year involved.
3. Permits must be produced for inspection in the field
upon request.
4. A permit application may be made for an archaeological
project involving several locations, however, if another project is initiated
even in the same location, another application must be submitted.
5. A permit holder may apply to the Minister through the Executive
Director, Nova Scotia Museum to amend the permit and the Minister may refuse,
allow or vary the amendment in whole or in part and alter the permit accordingly.
6. A permit holder shall be involved personally in the field
investigations by carrying out the work required or by directly supervising
the individual conducting the investigation for at least 75% of the time
necessary to complete the project.
7. The permit holder shall obtain all necessary approvals
to conduct research on private or public lands.
8. Any activity which involves excavation on Crown lands
requires a Letter of Authority from the Department of Natural Resources.
9. The permit holder is bound by all municipal, provincial
and federal legislation and regulations as they are applicable.
INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES
In designing an archaeological resource impact assessment, the following
components should be addressed:
1. Background research of the study area;
2. Field strategy must be clearly defined, including the
nature of techniques to be used (surface inspection, sub-surface testing,
etc.), frequency of transects, recording procedures, etc. Survey strategy
must be clearly justified in the research design. A strategy may require
modification in the field, and any modification must be discussed with
and approved by the Resources Archaeologist;
3. Field activities may include both surface and sub-surface
inspection, as required. Artifact collections and site disturbance should
be kept to a minimum. Only representative samples of cultural material
should be collected. Collections should be made and processed in accordance
with policies outlined under Collections and Records below;
4. All sites must be recorded on the Maritime Archaeological
Resource Inventory Form. All resources must be assessed as to their significance
(scientific, public, ethnic, historic and economic) and integrity (level
of disturbance, state of preservation);
5. All project related impacts on significant resources,
both beneficial and adverse, must be assessed as to their magnitude, severity,
duration, range, frequency, diversity, cumulative effect and rate of change;
6. Reporting of the project must be carried out in accordance
with policies outlined under Reporting Procedures below.
In designing a mitigative management strategy based upon an archaeological
resource impact assessment, the following components should be addressed:
1. Recommendations for mitigative management are to be
based upon evaluation of the significance relative to the impacts of development.
Implementation of all site-specific mitigation measures must be authorized
by the Nova Scotia Museum. Strategy will be dependent upon significance
of the resource, the nature of the impact, the relative effectiveness of
the measure, research and resource priorities and needs, and project objectives,
conditions and constraints. Subsequent activities are to be conducted in
accordance with policies outlined for archaeological survey and archaeological
excavation;
2. In a situation where impact on resources is to be mitigated
by means of avoidance or site protection a monitoring program must be designed
to ensure compliance with and proper execution of adopted mitigation measures;
3. A monitoring strategy should be designed to address project
impacts on archaeological or historic resources which could not be predicted
or evaluated prior to construction;
The applicant and developer should be aware of the following guidelines:
1. In situations where development or other activities
cause unanticipated impacts to archaeological sites, activities must be
stopped immediately and contact made with the Executive Director of the
Nova Scotia Museum;
2. The Minister may order the development or activity to
cease in whole or in part for 30 days and upon the recommendation of the
Minister, the Governor in Council may continue the order, in such a manner
that it will not cause undue hardship to the developer;
3. Emergency impact management strategies must be implemented
in accordance with the Special Places Protection Act and be approved by
the Nova Scotia Museum prior to implementation;
4. Actions could include any or all of the following:
(i) avoidance through partial or complete project redesign
or relocation;
(ii) application of site protection measures, which may include
provision of barriers, temporary or permanent capping, and monitoring;
(iii) salvage or emergency excavations;
(iv) archaeological awareness training for workers.
REPORTING PROCEDURES
I. General
1. If, during the course of carrying out work under a permit,
the permit holder:
(a) discovers a new site, he/she shall report the discovery
to the Executive Director, Nova Scotia Museum within 30 days; or
(b) discovers that the integrity of a site is threatened,
he/she shall report the discovery to the Executive Director, Nova Scotia
Museum within 48 hours.
2. The Executive Director, Nova Scotia Museum may require
a permit holder to inspect sites identified by the Resources Archaeologist
that are situated in the area described in the permit and to report any
site status changes in writing:
(a) within 90 days of the commencement of the permit period;
or
(b) within 48 hours if the integrity of the site is threatened
by any means.
3. A permit holder shall, within 30 days after the expiration
of the permit, or within such further period specified in the permit, submit
to the Executive Director, Nova Scotia Museum:
(a) Maritime Archaeological Resource Inventory Forms for
all newly discovered sites;
(b) 1:50,000 National Topographic Series (NTS) maps showing areas
investigated, procedures and sites recorded.
4. A permit holder shall, by the end of the calendar year in
which the permit was issued, or by March 31 of the following year when
the permit is issued within 90 days of the end of the year of issue, or
within such further period specified in the permit, submit to the Executive
Director, Nova Scotia Museum:
(a) complete Maritime Archaeological Resource Inventory
Forms for all sites investigated under authority of the permit project;
(b) copies of project notes, catalogues, records
and photographs as described under Collections and Records; and
(c) a preliminary report outlining activities carried
out under permit, including a digital version in WordPerfect 6.0 or a format
acceptable to the Nova Scotia Museum, for potential publication in the
Archaeology in Nova Scotia review.
II. Archaeological
Resource Impact Assessment Report
The holder of a Category C permit (archaeological resource impact assessment)
shall submit, as appropriate, and in the proper format a report on their
work.
1. Introduction
The introduction should include:
a) the proponent's name and general nature of the project;
b) the objective and scope of the impact assessment;
c) the persons conducting the assessment and the kinds
of professional expertise involved;
d) how the study integrates or coordinates with project
planning and scheduling;
e) the dates and duration of the study; and
f) the organizational format of the report.
2. Development Area
This section should contain a brief description of the project area.
Emphasis should be placed on relating the project area to the natural and
cultural environments. The area of project impact may have been sufficiently
described in an overview report, in which case a brief summary of and proper
reference to the document will suffice. Description of the project area
should include:
(a) biophysical features such as physiography, drainage,
fauna, and flora;
(b) a discussion of past and present ecological conditions
that bear upon human settlement and land use;
(c) past and present land use practices;
(d) the condition of the land, particularly the extent
of alteration from agricultural activity, forest harvesting, or other intensive
land uses; and
(e) weather conditions and patterns, particularly as they relate
to or affect the conduct and scheduling of fieldwork.
3. Study Area
This section should contain a succinct description of the location
and boundaries of the study area, including specific areas in which mitigation
activities were undertaken. Previous studies which provide comprehensive
descriptions of the study area should be referenced. However, biophysical,
socioeconomic, political or cultural factors which have a direct and pertinent
bearing on the study should be explicitly stated.
4. Methodology
The basic research plan and the precise methods and equipment used
to implement the plan should be outlined in this section. Each assessment
activity (inventory, site evaluation, and impact identification and assessment)
should be described individually. The discussions should include:
(a.) Inventory
(i) a thorough account of the sampling design,
particularly sample selection and size;
(ii) the rationale underlying any stratification
of the project area according to the archaeological potential, and the
level of survey intensity in these strata;
(iii) the number of surveyors, the manner in which they
were deployed over the survey area including distance intervals and direction
of travel, and the amount of time spent surveying any one area;
(iv) location of areas exempt from survey;
(v) where and how often subsurface testing was employed,
and the particular techniques or practices used including test frequency,
interval spacing and unit dimensions;
(vi) site recording practices; and
(vii) sources considered in designing the site inventory strategy.
(b.) Site Evaluation
(i) information sources used such as evaluative testing,
surface collecting, direct consultation and documentary research;
(ii) evaluative testing procedures including unit sampling
or selection, test frequency, unit dimensions, mapping, recording and data
recovery practices;
(iii) surface collecting procedures including sampling
design, recording and collection practices;
(iv) the process used to derive a measure of relative site
significance including the system of ranking or weighting various significance
criteria and the rationale underlying the process;
(v) the kinds of professional expertise involved.
(c.) Impact Identification and Assessment
This section should contain a comprehensive statement of impacts and
a thorough assessment of their level of effect. An impact matrix relating
development actions to recorded archaeological resources is recommended.
The impact assessment should include:
(i) a map of the project delineating areas of direct,
indirect, and potential impact and showing all recorded archaeological
sites;
(ii) impacts which have occurred to date from exploration,
engineering and other feasibility studies;
(iii) how project impacts were identified;
(iv) the level of effect of project impacts on archaeological
values;
(v) the process used to assess impacts on archaeological
resources including assessment criteria, their relative weighting, and
the rationale underlying the process;
(vi) areas of uncertainty regarding the impact assessment;
(vii) a schedule relating the timing of impacts to development
stages; and
5. Resource Inventory
This section should contain results of the archaeological site inventory
including:
(a) maps showing areas surveyed, and indicating the
level of survey intensity;
(b) maps showing all recorded archaeological sites
in relation to the proposed project;
(c) the number of archaeological sites recorded and
the total anticipated in the project area;
(d) a brief narrative or tabular description of each site
including present condition and use, distinguishing features, and its general
relationship to the regional environment and cultural setting;
(e) a qualitative and quantitative summary of all
cultural material or features observed or collected;
(f) an interpretation of the archaeological resource
inventory including observed spatial patterning of sites in the project
area, temporal, functional and contextual characteristics, and comparisons
with other local or regional resources;
(g) an explanation of negative results, such as where
and why archaeological sites were absent in areas suspected of having moderate
to high resource potential; and
(h) any further predictions concerning potential
resource variability, density, distribution and importance in the project
area.
6. Resource Evaluation
The relative significance of each evaluated site should be presented
here. The discussion should include:
(a) specific criteria used to measure relative site significance;
(b) site-specific assessments in tabular form; and
(c) a map illustrating archaeological sites of high, medium,
and low significance in relation to the proposed project.
7. Results and Discussion
The results of mitigation or compensation in the form of archaeological
programs, investigative projects, property transfer or other appropriate
measures, should be presented and discussed here. A thorough analysis of
all recovered data should be provided.
8. Interpretation
An interpretation of results is primarily required for systematic data
recovery or other investigative projects. The interpretation should focus
on the research problems and study objectives initially identified.
9. Evaluation
of Research
This section should contain a critical evaluation of the impact assessment
only. The discussion should address:
(a) the accuracy of overview predictions regarding archaeological
resource density, distribution, variety and significance in the project
area;
(b) the suitability of the inventory strategy and site
survey techniques employed, and the level of confidence that can be placed
on the survey results;
(c) the suitability and reliability of the site evaluation
and impact assessment methods employed.
d) the relationship between the results and the stated
objectives of the assessment study, including problem-oriented research
objectives if applicable; and
(e) appropriate research goals, objectives or opportunities
for any subsequent archaeological studies in the project area.
10. Conclusions
and Recommendations
The proponent's recommendations for managing unavoidable adverse impacts
on archaeological sites are presented here. Mitigation measures should
be recommended for each impacted site. Recommendations should be presented
in sufficient detail to allow the Museum to comment on their appropriateness.
This section should also include:
(a) a reference to those archaeological sites which can
be avoided by project design modifications;
(b) a discussion of the process used to select an impact
management action from among various possible alternative actions for any
specific site;
(c) justification for not recommending site-specific action;
(d) archaeological compensation recommendations involving
archaeological programs, investigative projects, property transfers, or
other appropriate measures; and
(e) recommendations or a tentative schedule for conducting
surveillance and/or monitoring, site stabilization and/or interpretation
during project implementation and operation.
11. References Cited
All literary sources cited in the report such as publications, documents
and records, as well as names and dates of all personal communications
should be listed here.
12. Appendices
A variety of items should be appended to the report including:
(a) appropriate tables, charts, graphs, maps and other
supportive materials;
(b) a list of recorded archaeological sites directly relevant
to the study; and
(c) a complete catalogue of all cultural materials, faunal
and floral remains, and ancillary samples collected during systematic data
recovery operations.
COLLECTIONS
AND RECORDS: STANDARDS AND DISPOSITION
I. Collections
Collections consist of the artifacts, samples and artifact records
from projects authorized by Category C Heritage Research Permits (Archaeology).
1. In the case of Category C permits ( impact assessment):
(a) collecting should be restricted to the minimum necessary
to identify and evaluate the resource;
(b) quantities of detritus, fire-cracked rock, structural
debris, etc. should be noted but not collected;
(c) provisions must be made for artifact conservation if
required, but collection of material requiring conservation should be avoided
unless significant resources would otherwise be lost.
2. A person who conducts an archaeological project pursuant
to a Heritage Research Permit (Archaeology) shall clean, number and catalogue
all artifacts and specimens collected in the course of the project.
3. Each artifact or specimen must have an individual catalogue
number assigned to it. Objects amenable to numbering are to be labeled
with the correct Borden number and a consecutive artifact number.
Group numbering for small artifacts is permitted. For example, quantities
of artifacts such as quartz flakes or similar types of ceramic sherds from
the same provenience should be assigned the same number.
4. Collections must be catalogued on original Nova Scotia
Museum Archaeological Specimen Record forms, or comparable forms approved
by the Nova Scotia Museum. The permit and site number must appear
at the head of each sheet, and only one site per catalogue sheet or sheets
is allowed. Each item is to be identified using Nova Scotia Museum
Object Name terminology, and its provenience recorded according to the
form specifications. Use of the Nova Scotia Museum electronic cataloguing
program is required.
5. A permit holder shall be responsible for ensuring that
necessary changes are made to correct any errors found in the cataloguing
of archaeological collections submitted to the Nova Scotia Museum.
6. Conservation of all archaeological objects recovered
under permit is the responsibility of the permit holder, who shall:
(a) ensure that the conservator assesses all archaeological
objects recovered under permit in terms of conservation requirements;
(b) provide the Museum with all examination records; and
(c) provide the Museum with detailed treatment records.
7. Treatment records shall be signed and dated by the conservator
and shall include the following information:
(a) site name and Borden designation;
(b) permit and specimen numbers;
(c) name, description, material(s) and condition of the
archaeological object;
(d) details of treatment including treatment proposal, materials
used, and methods and techniques employed during treatment; and
(e) future conservation requirements.
8. Collections and catalogues are to be delivered to the Museum
within a period of two years from the expiration of the permit, with two
weeks' notice to the Executive Director, Nova Scotia Museum.
9. Collection submissions are to be made in strong, medium
sized cardboard boxes. Each box should be labeled with the permit number(s)
and the sites(s) contained therein, as well as the address and name of
the sender. Artifacts are to be protected from damage by separate bagging,
placement in vials with cotton, or the use of cushioning material as deemed
appropriate to ensure their safe arrival at the Museum. Each bag should
be labeled with the permit number and site number written in indelible
felt pen or ordinary pencil. The bags should be of heavy hardware type
paper, or of a heavyweight plastic. All bags should be closed.
10. Faunal material must be boxed and labeled separately
as faunal material, as well as with permit and site numbers. It must be
packaged with sufficient, cushioning material to prevent breakage and abrasion.
Bone must not be placed loose in a box and transported. Special care is
to be accorded fragile or degradable material.
11. Oversized objects or very small collections are to be
treated in a manner commensurate with their safe arrival at the Museum.
12. Each submission must be accompanied by a letter of transmittal
showing the date of transfer and a complete list of permit numbers and
sites included in the shipment, and a brief statement describing the submission.
This should include the identification of objects requiring continuing
conservation or other special care as priority items.
13. Under the provisions of the Act, collections recovered
under the authority of a Heritage Research Permit (Archaeology) become
the property of the Province, and may be assigned by the Minister to the
Museum or to any other public institution. When an artifact has been recovered
from any site in the Province by a person who is not a permit holder or
by a permit holder in contravention of his permit, the Minister may authorize
that the artifact be seized and delivered to the Museum. However,
the Museum or other designated public institution may return any artifact
received to the person who recovered it, subject to conditions as to care
and disposition determined by the Museum.
14. The Museum shall act as central repository for the submission
of all collections recovered under the authority of a Heritage Research
Permit (Archaeology). Collections may be retained at the Museum as part
of a representative provincial collection, or distributed to designated
alternate repositories comprising local museums, academic institutions
and Native or other institutions. Disposition to an alternate repository
will be by means of a formal loan agreement with the Museum, renewable
on an annual basis. Loans will normally consist only of complete site or
project collections, and an alternate repository must be able to demonstrate
that it can provide adequate storage, curation, environmental control,
security and access.
15. In the case of collections from Native sites, disposition
may be subject to consultation with, and approval by, the Micmac Association
of Cultural Studies or other responsible Native organization.
II. Site Records
1. All archaeological sites in Nova Scotia must be recorded
on the standard Maritime Archaeological Resource Inventory Form (MARI),
available from the Museum. Instructions for completing MARI are also available
from the Museum and they must be consulted when recording archaeological
sites. They identify the kind of information to record and the format to
employ. Photographs, a map (photocopy of the appropriate section of a 1:50,000
NTS map), and a sketch plan are also required.
2. Completed Maritime Archaeological Resource Inventory
Forms must be submitted to the Museum as stipulated under Reporting Procedures.
Borden numbers can only be assigned by Museum staff. A temporary site referencing
system is available for use in the field prior to receiving Borden numbers,
and is outlined in the Maritime Archaeological Resource Inventory Form
instructions.
III. Supporting
Documentation
1. The Museum requires the submission, as stipulated under
Reporting Procedures, of copies of all notes, plans, profiles, maps, drawings,
documents, photographs and other records collected or prepared in conjunction
with the investigations authorized by a Heritage Research Permit (Archaeology).
2. It is expected that judicious sorting of the material
will occur prior to submission, so that only material dealing directly
with and relevant to the project and report will be submitted. The submission
should include the original field notes and catalogued photographs and
photograph records and catalogues; field maps and draughted copies thereof;
director's notes, level records and stratigraphic records. Archaeological
Photo Record Forms are to be used as appropriate. Alternative field record
forms may be used with the approval of the Museum. Enough concise and organized
data must be submitted to enable the report reviewers and future researchers
to assess the research conducted under the permit.
DEFINITIONS
Act - means the Special Places Protection Act,
Archaeological excavation - a specific field research program
carried out for the purpose of locating, systematically recovering by controlled
excavation techniques, analyzing, and interpreting archaeological resources;
Archaeological monitoring - an on-site examination of non-archaeological
activities to identify archaeological resources during the disturbance
of subsurface deposits, or the periodic revisiting of archaeological sites
to determine condition
Archaeological reconnaissance - an examination of a defined area
to locate archaeological resources using methods that do not
include disturbance of subsurface deposits, but may involve limited surface
collection;
Archaeological survey - an examination of a defined area, including
subsurface deposits, for the purpose of obtaining information on the archaeological
resources located on, in or under the land, or underwater;
Archaeological resource impact assessment - an inventory and
evaluation of archaeological resources and the assessment of impacts in
connection with development proposals which will potentially disturb or
alter the landscape, thereby endangering archaeological sites;
Archaeological resource - means a work of past human activity,
or zoological, botanical, geological or other
natural materials found in association with such activity that:
(i) is
primarily of value for its prehistoric, historic, cultural or scientific
significance; and
(ii) lay on,
or was buried or partially buried in land in the province, including land
covered by water.
Burial - means human remains and objects placed with human remains
either at the time of burial or later;
Excavate - means to employ standard archaeological techniques
to explore for, locate or recover archaeological resources;
Permit Period - means the period specified on the archaeological
research permit for which the permit is valid;
Artifact - means an object, or any part of an object, that was
made or used by human beings and that has been deposited, discarded, lost
or abandoned in or on the land, including land covered with water;
Specimen - means a sample of organic or inorganic matter, whether
modified or not by cultural activity, collected for scientific analysis
in conjunction with archaeological research;
Wreck - means a land vehicle, a water vessel or an aircraft,
any part of a land vehicle, a water vessel or an aircraft, or any object
that is found in, or in conjunction with a land vehicle, a water vessel
or an aircraft that has been discarded, lost or abandoned;
Site - means land, including land covered by water, that contains
an artifact, a structure, a burial, a wreck, a specimen, or a combination
thereof associated with past cultural activities;
Overview - means an identification and assessment of archaeological
resource potential or sensitivity within a specific area;
Minister - means the Minister of Education and Culture;
Museum - means the Nova Scotia Museum as established by the Nova
Scotia Museum Act (Chapter 211 of the Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia 1967)
Resources Archaeologist - means the Curator of Archaeology of
the Nova Scotia Museum;
Conservator - means conservator as defined in the Code of Ethics
and Guidance for Practice for Those Involved in the Conservation of Cultural
Property in Canada; and who is experienced in the field of archaeological
conservation;
Examination Records - means examination records as defined in
the Code of Ethics and Guidance for Practice for Those Involved in the
Conservation of Cultural Property in Canada.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
A permit is only valid if the applicant can demonstrate that the owner
of land on which archaeological work
is to be undertaken has given permission for such work to proceed.
In the case of survey work this
requirement may be waived in instances where a landowner cannot be
located by reasonable efforts and no
collection or excavation activity will be undertaken in such instances.
The permit holder must also comply with any other relevant law or regulation
relating to land disturbance.
The Nova Scotia Museum will consult with Native or other ethnic organizations
in connection with
archaeological projects proposed for aboriginal or ethnically distinct
sites. This consultation will involve
discussion of Native or other ethnic concerns relating to the proposed
project, and the applicant should be
involved in the process as appropriate. Project results in such cases
will also be communicated to the Native
or other community.
Special note concerning human remains:
Upon the accidental discovery of human remains in the course of a project
pursued under permit, they shall
not be further disturbed unless absolutely unavoidable. Appropriate
authorities (the Museum, police coroner,
etc.) must be informed immediately after the discovery. When there
is reason to believe that the remains may
be of Native origin, the chief of the Mi'kmaq Band nearest to the project
location must also be informed
immediately and consulted on appropriate action.
For more information:
Bob Ogilvie
Heritage Promotion & Development
1747 Summer Street
Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 3A6
902-424-6475 (phone)
902-424-0560 (fax)
email: ogilvirr@gov.ns.ca
