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DocuSign Envelope ID: 2D970A62 -10C1- 4949 - 9224- E9F2ADB7D568 <br />2. Description <br />Ground- disturbing activities are undertaken in such a manner that the monitoring <br />archaeologist is able to observe excavations in real time and communicate with machine <br />operators as work progresses. At the discretion of the monitoring archaeologist, ground - <br />disturbing activities are halted if a suspected archaeological feature or deposit is encountered. <br />The monitoring archaeologist examines the exposed materials or feature and determines <br />what additional work is necessary. In most instances, this will include recording locational <br />data, photographing features and recovering archaeological remains. <br />Consultation with the appropriate staff reviewer would be appropriate prior to the <br />development and implementation of monitoring strategy for those projects subject to <br />Section 106, and a Secretary of Interior (SOI) qualified archaeologist must be present for all <br />ground - disturbing activities to be monitored. <br />b. Reconnaissance Survey /Due Diligence <br />1. Objective <br />Reconnaissance surveys are basic examinations designed to assess the potential for the <br />presence of archaeological remains in a given project area. They are appropriate for <br />situations in which specific ground - disturbing activities are not planned, but may be <br />considered in the future, such as N.C. Department of Commerce Certified Sites. They are <br />especially recommended as a means of acquiring information for planning intensive <br />identification surveys of large areas. Based on the results of a reconnaissance survey, it may <br />be possible to divide a project area into zones of high probability or low probability based <br />on the potential for sites to occur. <br />2. Description <br />Reconnaissance surveys have two main components: a cultural resource assessment and field <br />investigations. Cultural resource assessments summarize data from previously recorded sites <br />in /near the project area and review the history and prehistory of a region to assess the <br />potential for various archaeological site types. Geological and ecological conditions in the <br />project area relevant to the distribution of archaeological sites are also considered through <br />reference to data such as soil maps and LiDAR. <br />Reconnaissance field investigations entail visual reconnaissance or examination of field <br />conditions to document the extent and types of ground cover and soil conditions. Sufficient <br />documentation during a reconnaissance survey may eliminate the need for further field <br />investigations in low probability areas based on various factors such as disturbance, slope, or <br />wet conditions and poor soil drainage. Exploratory subsurface excavations made to examine <br />soil profiles, such as shovel tests and cores, should be carefully documented with regard to <br />their location, means of excavation, depth, characteristics, and contents. Collection of <br />artifacts is discretionary; however, any materials removed from their original setting should <br />be fully documented and retained, rather than being discarded. <br />North Carolina Oce of State Archaeology — Archaeological Investigation Standard and Guidelines December 2017) Page 6 <br />