Developing Protocols for Reconstructing Submerged Paleocultural Landscapes and Identifying Ancient Native American Archaeological Sites in Submerged Environments

Publication Title: Developing Protocols for Reconstructing Submerged Paleocultural Landscapes and Identifying Ancient Native American Archaeological Sites in Submerged Environments

Subject: Cultural; Heritage and Marine Archaeology
Marine Archaeological Resources
archaeology; assessment; best practices; capacity building; collaboration; consultation; geoarchaeology; geophysical; geotechnical; landscape; model; paleocultural; paleoenvironment; paleolandscape; preservation; reconstruction; sediment coring; site; subbottom profiling; submerged; Tribal; Rhode Island continental shelf; Narragansett Bay; Southern New England

CSE Reference: King JW, Robinson DS, Gibson CL, Caccioppoli BJ (Coastal Mapping Laboratory, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI). 2020. Developing protocols for reconstructing submerged paleocultural landscapes and identifying ancient Native American archaeological sites in submerged environments. Sterling (VA): US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. 5 p. Obligation No.: M12AC00016. Report No.: OCS Study BOEM 2020-023. URL: https://espis.boem.gov/Technical%20Summaries/BOEM_2020-023.pdf

Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) of the United States is increasingly becoming the focus of conventional and renewable energy development to meet the nation’s energy needs. Consideration of the effects this development may have on submerged Native American (Tribal) historic properties is a legislatively mandated responsibility for Federal agencies, including the United States Department of the Interior’s (DOI’s) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), which reviews and permits these undertakings. It is also a significant concern for individual states, Tribes, other regulatory agencies, stakeholders, and researchers that participate in the environmental review process for offshore development projects. This project developed best practices to improve the effectiveness of Tribal engagement and geoarchaeological site characterization associated with the permitting process for offshore energy development on the OCS.