Critical Material Culture Analysis in US National Register of Historic Places Significance Statements

ABSTRACT

Significance statements express the values of archaeological assemblages and effect the preservation of sites in the United States. Through an evaluation of 219 significance statements from the South Carolina Sandhills, this paper explores trends in the analysis of material culture in Section 106 and Section 110 assessments. A review of archaeological guidelines from 47 states contextualizes the patterns of material culture analysis observed in the Sandhills. This research indicates an overreliance on subjective quantification measures and undefined artifact density calculations fostered by the absence of robust material culture analysis recommendations in state guidelines. A consideration of the impact bias in National Register of Historic Places recommendations suggests that modifications to state guidelines, university curricula, and historic contexts are necessary to address the systems that permit the perfunctory treatment of material culture in compliance archaeology.

KEYWORDS:

• artifact density
• Cultural Resource Management (CRM)
• National Park Service (NPS)
• NRHP
• National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
• Section 106
• Section 110

Funding Declaration

No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript.

Conflicts of Interest

No conflicts of interest or competing interests are declared.

Data Availability

The data discussed in this paper were generated at the South Carolina Army National Guard. All data supporting the conclusions herein are available from the author upon request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rachel Morgan

Rachel Morgan (M.A. 2016, University of York) works at the South Carolina Army National Guard in Columbia completing fieldwork and artifact analysis throughout the state. She is interested in post-contact archaeology, material culture studies, and conflict archaeology.