Information and Documents For Archaeological Professionals

one-stop shop for Michigan's official archaeology forms

Site & Cultural Resource Reporting Forms

How to Request a Trinomial

When new archaeological sites are identified or existing sites are revisited during a survey or academic study, you should report the sites to the State Archaeological Site File. Prior to completing a site form, you should request a site number or Smithsonian trinomial from the SHPO Senior Archaeologist.

Archaeological Site Context Guide

Use these site context and cultural period definitions to identify site type on the Archaeological Site Form.

Terrestrial Archaeological Site Form

Link to the official State Terrestrial Archaeological Site File submission form.

Underwater Archaeological Site Form

Link to the official State Underwater Archaeological Site File submission form.

TCP Documentation Form

Use this form to document a Traditional Cultural Place/Landscape (TCP).

TCP Documentation Form Instructions

Instructions for completing the Traditional Cultural Place/Landscape (TCP) form.

Beach Wreckage Documentation Form

If you believe you've found a shipwreck or materials from a shipwreck, snap a photo and use this form to document and report your discovery.

These documents discuss appropriate field and research standards for archaeology work in Michigan

Archaeological Standards & Technical Guidance

Guide 1: Methodological Standards Brief Fact Sheet

This guidance document is meant for archaeologists conducting Federal compliance work in the State of Michigan. The standards provided here are also relevant for academic and non-compliance research.

Guide 2: Reporting Standards Brief Fact Sheet

Reports are an essential component of any archaeology project, which organize your findings and become part of the documentation narrative to inform future research.

Mapping & Geospatial Standards Brief Fact Sheet

Informative, clear maps and other geospatial data are critical components to show project work areas and where potential sites exist.

Guide 4: Geophysical Standards Brief Fact Sheet

SHPO strongly recommends that researchers and consultants using geophysical methods work closely with our office to develop an appropriate approach for their project. This guidance document provides the Michigan SHPO’s baseline expectations for archaeological geophysics.

Guide 5: Guidance on Archaeological Modeling

The Michigan SHPO does not accept modeling as a method for excluding portions of a project area from survey at this time.

Guide 6: Data Confidentiality Standards

In order to protect archaeological sites from looting and destruction, there are several laws and statues that govern the protection of archaeological site location information.

Guide 7: Cataloging Standards

The Michigan SHPO accepts curation of archaeological materials for projects conducted in Michigan in fulfillment of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. SHPO does not accept materials collected from other states or non-provenience collections. SHPO does not purchase artifacts collections.

Links for Archaeology Professionals

Archaeologist, Historian, and Architectural Historian Consultant List

List of consultants who meet the federal qualifications for Archaeologist, Historian and/or Architectural Historian.

Qualified Consultants Research Portal

Request archaeological site files and survey records for compliance or academic research.

Federal Professional Qualifications

Qualifications used by the National Park Service as outlined in 36 CFR Part 61 which define minimum education and experience required to perform identification, evaluation, registration, and treatment activities of above-ground historic resources.

Michigan Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and Tribal Cultural Representatives

Contact information for Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and Tribal Cultural representatives for Michigan's twelve federally-recognized Native American tribes.

Application for Permit to Perform Archaeological Exploration on State-Owned Land

Return completed application to:
Sandra S. Clark, Director
Michigan History Center
702 W. Kalamazoo Street
PO Box 30740
Lansing, MI 48909