Archaeological site preservation initiative
(ASPI)
Sponsored by the
New York State Archaeological Association
and by the
New York Archaeological Council
(the following is adapted from ASPI's public information brochure)
Enhance the Value of your Community by Saving your Archaeological Heritage
Knowing our past informs our present and our future. We value places and buildings that embody a sense of our history, our community, our local and national identity. Good urban planning balances development with historic preservation, environmental and community concerns.
The Archaeological Site Preservation Initiative (ASPI) is a joint program of the New York Archaeological Council and the New York State Archaeological Association. The goal of this program is to help educate local leaders about the importance of archaeological sites in general and more specifically about their local resources that may be endangered by proposed projects. ASPI sends letter to lead agencies and contacts other local individuals and programs to help illustrate to lead agencies that there is a constituency concerned with what happens to archaeological resources. In recent years they have succesfully raised awareness of the presence and importance of archaeological resources to a number of communities. ASPI relies on local individuals to contact them when sites are threatened. Remember that to be effective, notification to the lead agencies (and to ASPI) should occur early in the review process.
Often our heritage is lost, not through deliberate destruction, but through ignorance. The Archaeological Site Preservation Initiative (ASPI) seeks to preserve archaeological and historic sites:
Why is ASPI Needed?
Archaeological and historic sites are disappearing rapidly, mainly through construction and development projects, often without any documentation. While some preservation efforts exist at the state and national level, the local level is frequently neglected, and this is precisely the level where most of the damage is being done.
What are Archaeological and Historic Sites?
Sites are places where people left behind physical traces of their existence. They can include artifacts, ruins and changes in the landscape such as foundations, cemeteries and mounds. When people talk about historic sites, they often mean standing buildings; when they talk about archaeological sites they often mean remains in the ground. It is important to realize that historic buildings usually have archaeological remains in the ground around them, which can be destroyed even if the building is not touched.
What Activities Damage or Destroy Sites?
Natural forces such as wind and water do a lot of damage. But most damage is done by PEOPLE through construction and development projects, and by unauthorized digging.
Are there Archaeological and Historic Sites in my community?
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) maintains a list of all known archaeological and historic sites in New York State at the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). You can view their maps and database at
http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/
To access the maps select Online Resources (left menu-click), then GIS--The Geographic Information System for Archeology and National Register (*note: the map will not work for Mac users).
This system provides a map depicting the approximate boundaries of each of the New York's State and National Register properties and districts. A second overlay depicts the general boundary of areas considered archaeologically sensitive based on information previously reported to the OPRHP Additional areas are likely to contain sites that have not been reported to the OPRHP.
The user can simply select a county and town and then zoom into the map of the community to find the location of a listed property or known areas of archeological sensitivity. (All archeological sites are protected by a buffer zone). Both of these GIS resources are based on current records, databases, and file information retained at the New York State Historic Preservation Office which is located within the OPRHP.
If don’t see any sites listed for my local community, does that mean there aren’t any?
NO! The SHPO’s records are not complete. There may still be archaeological and historic sites in your area, which are not in the their database.
What if I know of a site in my local area, but I don’t see it on the GIS map?
We all want the SHPO records to be up to date and accurate. If you know of a site that isn’t on the GIS map, please contact either the SHPO or one of the ASPI coordinators, and we will get that site into the records.
I’m involved in local planning or development. How can I use this information?
Please use the GIS map and database to check for possible archaeological or historic sites in areas you are considering for development (remember this is just a first step). This is how a lead agenicy can gather data to comply with the State Environmental Qualtiy Act (SEQRA). If you are unsure or concerned about preservation requirements, contact one of the ASPI coordinators—we are here to help. Sooner is always best—it keeps costs down and reduces wasted time for everyone.
I’m concerned about development and/or preservation in my community. What can I do?
You can make a difference by:
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Being aware of development projects in your community
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Joining your local NYSAA Chapter (see list below)
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Contacting the ASPI coordinators if you are concerned about an archaeological or historic site in your community
-
Volunteer to help ASPI—we need your support!
Program Coordinators
Marie-Lorraine Pipes, Ann Morton, Ph.D.
L.H. Morgan Chapter L.H. Morgan Chapter
pipesml@aol.com amorton@rochester.rr.com
(585) 742-3185 (315) 986-3086
President, NYSAA President, NYAC
Louise Basa Nina Versaggi
lbasa@att.net nversagg@binghamton.edu
(518) 377-4389 (607) 777-4786
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, (OPRHP)
Historic Preservation Field Services Bureau
www.nysparks.state.ny.us
(518) 237-8643.
Adirondack |
(518) 494-5583 |
starbuck@netheaven.com |
Auringer-Seeley |
(518) 584-8942 |
jwalsh@mail.nysed.gov |
William M. Beauchamp |
(315) 687-3024 |
Arch.dea@worldnet.att.net |
Chenango |
(607) 334-3709 |
Rockhound48@hotmail.com |
Frederick M. Houghton |
(716) 837-1013 |
http://wings.buffalo.edu/anthropology/Houghton/ |
Incorporated Long Island |
(516) 585-9199 |
ebarcel@aol.com |
Incorporated OrangeCounty |
(845) 343-1671 |
fasa10key@yahoo.com |
Incorporated Upper Susquehanna |
(607) 988-2229 |
ruchard@stny.rr.com |
Lewis Henry Morgan |
(315) 986-3086 |
amorton@rochester.rr.com |
Louis A. Brennan/Lower Hudson |
(914) 693-2452 |
www.geocities.com/MALFANY |
Metropolitan |
(717) 393-3289 |
kb239@columbia.edu |
Mid-Hudson |
(845) 338-0091 |
diamondj@newpaltz.edu |
Thousand Islands |
(315) 493-9527 |
abeltj@northnet.org |
Triple Cities |
(607) 772-9501 |
nysaatcc@yahoo.com |
Van Epps-Hartley |
(518) 887-2765 |
VanEppsHartley@aol.com |
