Tag: underwater-archaeology-survey-standards

Underwater Archaeologists please pay attention to Chapter VIII and especially Appendix III. Comment now. Line spacing, instrumentation, etc…

Dear colleague,

The Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) is pleased to share this much-anticipated draft of our revised and updated Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Survey and Excavation in Maryland. The Standards & Guidelines developed by Beth Cole and Gary Shaffer in 1994 have served the State of Maryland well for over 30 years. However, this revised document that we are sharing with you now for review and comment reflects the tremendous growth and change that we have all seen in the fields of archaeology and historic preservation over the past three decades. With this evolution of our field in mind, the archaeologists at MHT are now re-issuing updated Standards & Guidelines for the practice of archaeology – particularly compliance-driven archaeology – in Maryland.  

You can download a draft PDF copy of the new Standards and GuidelinesHERE. The period for comment on these revisions will end on November 30, 2025.

As you peruse these updated Standards & Guidelines and begin to develop any comments that you would like to share, please take particular note of some of the more pronounced changes that archaeologists will need to be aware of as we move forward. Some of these changes include:

• A maximum horizontal test pit interval of 15 meters for Phase I subsurface shovel testing.
• More detailed guidance on ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys and other remote sensing techniques.
• An entirely new section that provides guidance on archaeological investigations in Maryland state waters – including information on qualifications, permits, research designs, methods and techniques, site registration, and reporting.
• Updated mapping standards.
• Guidance regarding the submission of GIS data.
• More explicit guidance on the use of summary tables to summarize the distributions of significant artifact categories and support site interpretations and recommendations.
• The inclusion of a Mandatory Report Checklist in the Appendices that is intended to assist with the compilation of complete reports. Following the distribution of the final draft of the revised “Standards & Guidelines,” a copy of the Mandatory Report Checklist must be filled out and submitted with every draft report. MHT’s review of a draft report will not begin until a complete report with a checklist is submitted.
• The requirement of a 3-5 page Executive Summary suitable for public release(rather than a 1 page abstract) at the beginning of each report. The lengthier summary will allow for a more detailed synopsis that can easily be shared with the public upon request – enabling MHT to respond to such requests more quickly and effectively and providing the public with the information they need to have a voice and constructively contribute to the historic preservation review process.
•  A new requirement that the Appendices of each report include a copy of the letter, memorandum, or email correspondence from MHT (or other agency – SHA, FEMA, local government, etc.) that recommended or required the archaeological investigations that are detailed in the report. Inclusion of the relevant correspondence will demonstrate that the consultant has, in fact, been provided with a copy of the correspondence and is well-informed about the purpose and level of work that has been recommended or requested.   

Following your review of the revised Standards & Guidelines, please email any questions, comments, or recommendations that you may have to MHT’s Chief Archaeologist, Dr. Matt McKnight, at matthew.mcknight@maryland.gov, or submit comments by mail at:

Matthew McKnight
Maryland Historical Trust
100 Community Place, 3rd Floor
Crownsville, MD 21032

Regards,

Matt M.