Introduction to Cultural Resource Management
Cultural Resource Management (CRM) is a professional field dedicated to identifying, evaluating, documenting, and managing cultural resources according to legal requirements and best practices. These resources include archaeological sites, historic buildings, cultural landscapes, and other heritage assets that hold significance for communities, nations, or humanity. CRM operates at the intersection of heritage preservation, legal compliance, scientific research, and public engagement, serving to protect irreplaceable cultural assets while balancing development needs, supporting cultural identity, and promoting sustainable heritage tourism.
Core Concepts and Principles
Types of Cultural Resources
- Archaeological Resources: Sites, features, artifacts from past human activity
- Historic Properties: Buildings, structures, objects with historical significance
- Cultural Landscapes: Geographic areas associated with historical events or cultural values
- Traditional Cultural Properties: Places associated with cultural practices or beliefs
- Underwater Cultural Heritage: Submerged archaeological sites and historic shipwrecks
- Ethnographic Resources: Places and objects important to contemporary cultural groups
Guiding Frameworks
| Framework | Purpose | Application |
|---|---|---|
| National Historic Preservation Act (US) | Establishes legal framework for preservation | Section 106 review, National Register criteria |
| UNESCO World Heritage Convention | Identifies and protects sites of global importance | World Heritage nomination, management plans |
| ICOMOS Charters | Establishes professional standards | Conservation approaches, documentation |
| Indigenous Rights Frameworks | Protects indigenous cultural heritage | Consultation protocols, cultural ownership |
| Environmental Impact Assessment | Integrates cultural concerns in planning | Scoping, impact analysis, mitigation |
| Cultural Heritage Laws | Country-specific legal requirements | Compliance, permitting, reporting |
Step-by-Step CRM Process
Identification and Inventory
- Conduct background research (historical documents, previous surveys)
- Perform field surveys (pedestrian, remote sensing, sampling)
- Record resource locations and boundaries
- Document baseline conditions
- Create comprehensive inventory database
Evaluation and Significance Assessment
- Apply significance criteria (historical, scientific, cultural, aesthetic)
- Determine eligibility for registers or designations
- Assess integrity and condition
- Identify character-defining features
- Document significance statements
Impact Assessment
- Define project scope and potential effects
- Determine area of potential effect (APE)
- Identify direct and indirect impacts
- Assess cumulative effects
- Determine level of effect (no effect, no adverse effect, adverse effect)
Treatment and Mitigation Planning
- Develop preservation alternatives
- Design mitigation measures
- Prepare treatment plans
- Establish monitoring protocols
- Create management plans
Implementation and Compliance
- Execute mitigation measures
- Document treatment activities
- Monitor effectiveness
- Prepare compliance reports
- Implement long-term management
Key Techniques by Project Phase
Pre-Field Research
- Literature review: Analyzing previous studies and historical documents
- Historic map analysis: Examining historical changes through cartography
- Archival research: Consulting primary sources and historical records
- Predictive modeling: Using GIS to identify high-probability areas
- Stakeholder identification: Mapping communities and interest groups
Field Methods
- Pedestrian survey: Systematic ground inspection for surface evidence
- Shovel testing: Subsurface sampling at regular intervals
- Remote sensing: GPR, magnetometry, LiDAR for non-invasive detection
- Test excavation: Limited excavation to determine site boundaries and significance
- Building documentation: Measured drawings, photography, condition assessment
Laboratory and Analysis
- Artifact processing: Cleaning, cataloging, conservation
- Dating techniques: Radiocarbon, dendrochronology, thermoluminescence
- Material analysis: XRF, petrography, residue analysis
- Spatial analysis: GIS-based distribution and pattern studies
- Archival preparation: Preparing materials for long-term curation
Mitigation Approaches
- Avoidance: Redesigning projects to prevent impacts
- Minimization: Reducing the degree of impact
- Data recovery: Systematic retrieval of information before destruction
- Historic documentation: HABS/HAER recording before demolition
- Public interpretation: Developing educational components
Common Challenges and Solutions
| Challenge | Description | Solution Approaches |
|---|---|---|
| Project Timeline Constraints | Short deadlines conflicting with thorough assessment | Phased approaches, preliminary assessments, programmatic agreements |
| Unexpected Discoveries | Cultural resources found during construction | Stop-work protocols, contingency planning, monitoring programs |
| Conflicting Stakeholder Interests | Differing priorities among development, preservation, and cultural groups | Collaborative planning, consensus building, creative mitigation |
| Limited Funding | Inadequate resources for comprehensive management | Prioritization strategies, partnerships, innovative funding mechanisms |
| Sensitive Cultural Information | Sacred or confidential indigenous knowledge | Confidentiality protocols, limited access agreements, knowledge stewardship |
| Cumulative Effects | Gradual degradation through multiple small impacts | Regional planning, landscape-level assessment, interagency coordination |
Best Practices and Practical Tips
For Project Planning
- Begin cultural resource considerations early in project planning
- Budget realistically for CRM components
- Develop relationships with key stakeholders before issues arise
- Review previous projects in similar areas for precedents
- Prepare contingency plans for unexpected discoveries
For Fieldwork
- Standardize documentation forms and procedures
- Use consistent mapping protocols and datum references
- Photograph thoroughly with scale and north arrow
- Maintain detailed field notes and daily logs
- Follow established sampling strategies for consistency
For Stakeholder Engagement
- Consult with indigenous communities early and often
- Provide information in accessible, non-technical formats
- Listen actively to community concerns and priorities
- Incorporate traditional knowledge where appropriate
- Develop meaningful public engagement opportunities
For Compliance and Reporting
- Know the specific requirements of relevant regulations
- Document consultation process meticulously
- Write clear, concise reports that address specific regulatory criteria
- Maintain organized administrative record
- Submit deliverables in required formats and timeframes
CRM Tools and Frameworks
Assessment Tools
- Cultural Resource Information Systems (CRIS)
- Section 106 Assessment Forms
- National Register Evaluation Criteria
- Integrity Assessment Worksheets
- Cultural Landscape Inventory Forms
Management Tools
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Digital data collection platforms (tablets, mobile apps)
- Conservation treatment databases
- Cultural resource monitoring programs
- Archaeological site stewardship networks
Technical Resources
- Ground-penetrating radar (GPR)
- Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry
- Digital photographic documentation systems
- 3D laser scanning technology
- Conservation assessment tools
Specialized Approaches by Resource Type
Archaeological Sites
- Significance testing: Limited excavation to determine eligibility
- Burial protocols: Special procedures for human remains
- Site stabilization: Erosion control, protective covering
- Artifact conservation: First-aid treatments in field
- Reburial strategies: Returning excavated materials to ground
Historic Structures
- Condition assessment: Systematic evaluation of building components
- Fabric analysis: Investigation of construction materials and methods
- Non-destructive testing: Methods to evaluate structures without damage
- Character-defining features inventory: Identifying key elements
- Historic structure reports: Comprehensive documentation and treatment
Cultural Landscapes
- Viewshed analysis: Assessing visual characteristics and impacts
- Historic land use mapping: Documenting landscape change over time
- Vegetation management: Preserving historic plant communities
- Circulation systems: Documenting historic roads, paths, and networks
- Small-scale features inventory: Recording landscape elements
Ethnographic Resources
- Traditional knowledge documentation: Recording cultural practices
- Collaborative research: Working with communities to identify resources
- Cultural mapping: Community-based resource identification
- Access management: Protocols for culturally sensitive sites
- Traditional use studies: Documenting ongoing cultural practices
Resources for Further Learning
Key Publications
- “Cultural Resource Management in Contemporary Society” by Messenger & Smith
- “Archaeological Resource Management: An International Perspective” by Carman
- “Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practice” by Tyler
- “Management Planning for Archaeological Sites” by Teutonico & Palumbo
- “Indigenous Archaeologies: A Reader on Decolonization” by Bruchac et al.
Professional Organizations
- Society for American Archaeology (SAA)
- Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA)
- International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
- American Cultural Resources Association (ACRA)
- World Archaeological Congress (WAC)
Online Resources
- Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (https://www.achp.gov)
- National Park Service Technical Preservation Services
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre Resources
- Digital Archaeological Record (tDAR)
- Cultural Resource Management Learning Portal
Training Opportunities
- Section 106 Essentials Training
- HAZWOPER Training for Archaeologists
- Archaeological Field Schools
- Historic Preservation Certificate Programs
- Indigenous Cultural Heritage Management Workshops
This cheatsheet provides a comprehensive framework for cultural resource management, equipping practitioners with the concepts, methodologies, and tools needed to effectively identify, evaluate, and manage cultural resources while navigating regulatory requirements and engaging with diverse stakeholders.