Accession Number:

ADA379206

Title:

An Archaeological Curation-Needs Assessment for the Legacy Resource Management Program

Descriptive Note:

Final technical rept. no. 15

Corporate Author:

ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT ST LOUIS MO

Personal Author(s):

• Holland-Wissehr, Kelly
• Shingleton, Kenneth L., Jr.
• Goldstein, Jeremy L.
• Bade, Mary J.
• Yu, Sylvia

Report Date:

1999-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

250.0

Abstract:

Federal archaeological collections are a valuable and nonrenewable national cultural resource. Curation of these materials, however, has been largely substandard or ignored for more than 50 years. Many of these priceless collections of our nations legacy were placed in the attics, basements, and storage closets of an indefinite number of storage facilities across the United States. Additionally, many objects were illegally transported to Europe, where they remain today. The result has been a steady deterioration of these priceless objects. The improper care, and the subsequent deterioration of many of these collections, not only violates the laws under which they were recovered, but also prevents educational and scientific use. Valuable portions of our irreplaceable national heritage have been lost, and the considerable financial investment by the American public in archaeological recovery has been compromised.

Descriptors:

• *UNITED STATES
• *RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
• *ARCHEOLOGY
• *COLLECTION
• UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
• EDUCATION
• FACILITIES
• HISTORY
• RESOURCES
• STORAGE
• DETERIORATION
• CULTURE

Subject Categories:

• Administration and Management
• Humanities and History

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE