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David Stancil <br />October 3, 2006 <br />Page Two <br />manifested in the municipal and county ordinances and policies implemented by planning and <br />conservation departments, suchas yours. In order to assist in the preservation of these resources, <br />it is usually necessary that you know the nature and location of the archaeological sites. It has <br />been our policy to share this information with agencies and departments on a need -to -know basis, <br />with the stipulation that site locations are not made a part of the public record. Even well - meaning <br />citizens have caused damage to sites in the name of preservation. Disclosure of archaeological <br />resource and site information in these instances is believed to be an aid to preservation and <br />protection and to outweigh the risk of harm. <br />Professional archaeologists are given access to our files and site information to be used to develop <br />cultural contexts and to aid in their interpretations of the results of their research. Other qualified <br />researchers and students are given access to the same information on a case -by -case basis. <br />Archaeological survey reports are not usually published or widely circulated due to the risk of <br />harm. As a means of distributing archaeological information to the public, separate public reports <br />are written, exhibits are developed and lectures are presented outlining the results of large <br />archaeological projects. Our office is currently sponsoring a public lecture series on the historic <br />archaeology of North Carolina. <br />Archaeological site files and reports are submitted to us usually in paper format. The site <br />information is entered into an ACCESS database. Site forms and reports of the surveys, testing <br />and excavations. are microfilmed and a copy is placed in the fireproof vault of the State Archives. <br />Given changing technologies electronic formats have not been seen as a long -term archival <br />solution to preservation of the archaeological information. <br />I hope this information is helpful in understanding our policies regarding the confidentiality of <br />archaeological site locations. I will be glad to discuss this with you flu they at your convenience. <br />cc: Tina Moon <br />Dolores Hall <br />