16 Miss. Code. R. 3-12.3.4 - Supplemental Guidelines for Nominating Archeological Sites and Districts to the National Register of Historic Places

This guidance is for use in conjunction with the National Register Bulletin Guidelines for Evaluating and Registering Archeological Properties. If we have not commented on an item in the instructions below, follow the appropriate National Register Bulletin.

Keep in mind that one goal of nominating archeological sites and districts to the National Register of Historic Places is to increase the "visibility" of archeology for the public; therefore, the nomination should be concise and comprehensible to the layperson. The nomination is not meant to be a technical report; however, the nomination can include a technical report as an appendix.

In the narratives, do not give exact locational information, unless the location is generally known or if the locational information should be available for research or education or tourism, etc. All other information that should be restricted (see National Register Bulletin 29, Guidelines for Restricting Information about Historic and Prehistoric Resources) should be placed on a separate continuation sheet. In addition, do not enter the property owner information on the form. Provide this information on the notification sheet.

On the form, enter N/A for all categories that do not apply to the site or district.

Writing a Physical Description for an Archeological Site or District

1. Introductory Paragraph: The introductory paragraph is a critical part of the narrative. Write it so that it can stand on its own as an abstract that reads as a concise overview of the resource. Provide an overview of the physiography, general location(s), topography, and setting of the site or district. Identify the time period or archaeological period of occupation. End the introduction with a brief discussion of the site's or district's integrity, including approximately how much of the site has been impacted, both by excavation and by other impacts.

2. Describe, in a general way, the physical characteristics of the site or district, including site size(s) (both the horizontal and the vertical extent), site type(s), datasets present or potentially present (e.g. artifacts, ecofacts, features) and absolute or relative date(s). For multi-component sites or districts, describe each significant component separately, including vertical location(s) and extent(s) for stratified sites.

3. Describe the current and past setting and appearance of the site or district. Describe the current setting, appearance, topography, climate, vegetation, and wildlife. Then, if different, describe the setting, appearance, topography, climate, vegetation, and wildlife for each period of significance. Include a discussion of the site's geomorphology, sedimentation, and soil development, as well. This description should not cover every period during which the site was occupied, but should cover only the period(s) identified as significant in Section 8.

4. End the description with an explanation of the property's overall physical integrity. Summarize all natural and cultural impacts to the site or district. In this discussion, include an overview of all previous research at the site, both professional and avocational/amateur. Include background research, extent and purpose of any fieldwork and mapping, dates, and researchers and their affiliation. You must then assess how these impacts affect the property's ability to reflect its significance. If the site is eligible under Criteria other than D, the preparer will need to discuss each aspect of integrity (as applied to archaeological sites; see 3.2.

Assessing the National Register Integrity of Archaeological Sites) individually, then summarize overall integrity. If the site is eligible under only Criterion D, the preparer must discuss the archaeological integrity.

SECTION 8 - STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Significant Dates (Form)

For prehistoric sites or districts, if several radiocarbon dates were obtained, place them in a table on a continuation sheet. The table should include the lab number, ¹⁴C date, and provenience of the sample. For historical archeological sites or districts, list the significant dates as you would for other properties; these can be based on artifacts, historic documents or maps, etc.

Narrative

1. Introductory paragraph: Begin the narrative Statement of Significance with a Summary of Significance. List the Criteria and Areas of Significance for which the site or district is significant. For each dataset identified in the Physical Description, briefly explain how it demonstrates the site's significance. This information should be expanded upon and justified in subsequent paragraphs. Identify the Period(s) of Significance and briefly explain how the beginning and ending dates were chosen.

2. Summarize the property's history in one or a few paragraphs. For Criterion D, to establish the importance of the information from the site, provide an overview of the current state of knowledge for the Period(s) of Significance. Remember, an archaeological site can be significant under Criteria other than D. For examples of archaeological sites that are significant under Criteria A, B, or C, consult the National Register Bulletin Guidelines for Evaluating and Registering Archeological Properties or 3.2. Evaluating Archaeological Sites Under Criteria other than D.

3. Next, for each Criterion and Area of Significance explain why the property is significant. Compare the property to others of the same or similar period, characteristics, or association. For examples of other properties used in comparison, be sure to use their name or site number, general locations, and brief descriptions. For multi-component sites, treat each component separately within the nomination.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION

Sketch Map/District Map

For archeological sites or districts, submit two copies of a site plan labeled with historic name, county and state. Include a clearly-labeled National Register boundary, north arrow, and scale bar. Be sure to locate all contributing and noncontributing resources and number/vantage point of each photo, where applicable. Also submit maps labeled with historic name, county and state. Include the clearly labeled National Register boundary, north arrow, scale bar, and location(s) of previous fieldwork.

Black and White Photographs

Submit two sets of black and white photos, properly labeled (How to Complete the National Register Registration Form, page 64). One set is for state files, the other for the National Park Service files in Washington, D.C. If a continuation sheet is used for photo information, the resource name, county, state and photo number must be labeled on each photograph. Photographs must be processed according to the National Register's Photographic Imaging Policy.

Provide photos of the setting, representative features (plan and profile); representative wall profiles, if applicable; and representative artifacts.

Notes

16 Miss. Code. R. 3-12.3.4

Adopted 4/8/2020