Archaeological Impact Assessment Guidelines
3.0 Archaeological Impact Assessment and Review
Process
Part 2 of 4
The archaeological resource overview is intended to
identify and assess archaeological resource potential or
sensitivity within a proposed study area.
Recommendations concerning the appropriate methodology
and scope of work for subsequent inventory and/or impact
assessment studies are also expected.
Typical overview studies should entail (see
Appendix A):
- a background library and records search
of ethnographic, archaeological and historical
documents pertinent to the study area;
- a statement of archaeological resource
potential and distribution in the study area;
- a preliminary assessment of anticipated
impacts in light of proposed development plans; and
- recommendations concerning the need for
further archaeological impact assessment studies.
These studies are of fundamental importance in
assessing the archaeological resource potential of a
study area, and should result in predictions regarding
archaeological site variability, density and
distribution. In addition, it may also be possible to
develop a preliminary evaluatory framework within which
to judge the significance of archaeological sites.
Depending on the availability and quality of existing
data, it may be possible to achieve these research
objectives without undertaking field survey; however,
documentary research and, where practical, direct
consultation with knowledgeable persons and
organizations is essential.
Overview studies are particularly important with
respect to large-scale development projects such as
hydro-electric dams, electrical transmission lines,
pipelines, etc. More site specific projects involving
small, well-defined localities such as residential
subdivisions, manufacturing plants, and port facilities
may effectively combine an overview and impact
assessment study. However, the most appropriate type of
study to be undertaken at this stage should be
established through consultation with the Branch.
This aspect of the overview study should involve a
thorough review of library and archival literature as
well as other relevant data sources. The research should
include, but need not be limited to:
- a check of extant records including the
B.C. Archaeological Site Inventory, legal land
survey records, and other pertinent records and
inventory files;
- a review of all previous archaeological
investigations in the study area or in immediately
adjacent areas;
- a review of relevant information from
published and unpublished sources such as local and
regional history, prehistory and ethnography;
- a review of relevant paleoecological
studies to assess past environmental conditions that
may have influenced cultural adaptations; and
- examination and interpretation of air
photographs and geomorphological and pedological
information as an aid for assessing the potential
for human habitation.
Occasionally, access to relevant unpublished data may
be seriously hindered. For example, some institutions or
organizations that maintain archaeological documents,
records, files, etc. may have, except under special
arrangement, a confidential policy regarding use of the
material. Such a policy usually reflects legitimate
concerns about the integrity of the documents. In other
cases, the researcher may face a long waiting period
before access to the data is permitted. Problems in
accessing pertinent and necessary documentary sources
should be ascertained as early as possible, and those
problems which cannot be immediately resolved should be
brought to the attention of the Branch.
Individuals and organizations with knowledge of
archaeological resources in the study area should be
contacted where appropriate. The objective is to compile
information concerning the location, distribution and
significance of reported archaeological sites.
Interviews should be designed to elicit information
which may facilitate reconstructing or confirming
ethnographic and historic patterns of settlement, land
use and subsistence. Among those who should be consulted
are aboriginal groups, local museums, archaeological or
historical societies, long-time residents, and
specialists having local or regional expertise in the
area. Specialists may include archaeologists, historians
and ethnohistorians, among others.
Local perceptions and attitudes may have a
significant bearing on resource management
decision-making, and therefore should be reported. This
is especially true when there is strong local interest
and concern regarding the safety of a particular
archaeological site or a group of such sites. Interviews
with various persons can provide the researcher with an
opportunity to document public or community attitudes
toward impacts which a proposed development may have on
local archaeological resources. However, particularly in
the early project planning phases where speculation may
be a concern, these interviews must be conducted only
with the approval of the proponent, and must be handled
very objectively.
The archaeological overview may require a preliminary
field reconnaissance, which may involve a simple
overflight of the study area or, if greater intensity is
demanded, a field survey using either systematic or
judgemental site sampling techniques. Reconnaissance
survey should be undertaken in the event that
historical, archaeological, ethnological, or other
documentary sources necessary for assessing the
archaeological resource potential of the study area are
insufficient or unavailable. A field reconnaissance is
also warranted in the case where many alternatives are
under consideration for the location of project
facilities. In this case, an overview of the resource
potential of an area, based entirely on documentary
research, may be inadequate for providing effective
guidance in project planning. The Branch will provide
assistance in determining the need and appropriate
intensity of preliminary field reconnaissance for
specific development projects.
The reconnaissance survey should be designed to
assess the archaeological resource potential of the
study area, and to identify the need and appropriate
scope of further field studies. Although this may
involve some ground reconnaissance, areal coverage will
usually be quite small relative to the overall size of
the study area. This preliminary survey will seldom
provide sufficient data to ensure an adequate estimate
of all archaeological sites in an area. However,
information resulting from preliminary field
reconnaissance should:
- confirm or refute the existence of
archaeological sites reported or predicted from
documentary research;
- allow further predictions to be made
about the distribution, density and potential
significance of archaeological sites within the
study area;
- identify areas where sites are
apparently absent, implying low or no potential;
- verify, wherever possible, potential
impacts imposed by the development project;
- suggest the most appropriate survey
methods or techniques to be used in an intensive
field survey should such a survey be necessary.
By accomplishing these research objectives, the
reconnaissance survey serves as a useful preliminary
study for designing and subsequently implementing a more
intensive site survey.
Techniques employed in reconnaissance survey will
vary depending on such factors as terrain, vegetation,
land use, ease of access, urbanization, the size of the
project area, and the types of archaeological resources
being sought. Where archaeological sites are
anticipated, it may be necessary to undertake some
subsurface testing to locate sites lacking surface
evidence, to delineate site boundaries or, where
necessary, to obtain sufficient information for
preliminary site evaluation.
In undertaking an archaeological overview the
development proponent, or his consultant, is encouraged
to develop innovative approaches to predicting or
evaluating overall resource sensitivity or potential
within the study area. In this respect, it is important
to consult all relevant data sources. Furthermore, the
services of specialists such as ethnohistorians and
geologists should be drawn upon so as to make the
fullest use of the data. A comprehensive overview will
ultimately result in more efficient and cost-effective
research in later stages of the assessment process.
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