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Metcalf's projects have ranged in size from very small investigations that have required a few days of staff time to major studies that have spanned several years. The amount of each site that must be investigated to satisfy federal and state laws and regulations is normally determined by regulatory agencies, but Metcalf works closely with clients and those agencies to design cost-effective studies that can be completed within project development schedules.

Nearly all of the investigations carried out by Metcalf are in support of the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and are carried out as part of this process based on implementing regulations found at 36 CFR §800.

Our mission is to help make our clients' projects successful by providing top quality CRM services while furthering the profession's goals of enlarging our understanding of the region's heritage and protecting the region's cultural resources.

Archaeological investigations typically begin with a background files search, followed by on-the-ground field inventory. Files searches are a required element of most investigations and involve research at the appropriate State Historic Preservation Office and at federal agencies that have records of previous inventories and previously recorded sites. With this information in hand, Metcalf consults with the appropriate regulatory authority to determine if an archaeological survey is necessary and what level of intensity the survey should entail. Qualified archaeologists then conduct field investigations of project areas based on client needs. This work usually involves an intensive pedestrian inventory of the project area to record all historic and prehistoric resources, along with identification and re-examination of previously recorded resources. Subsequently, the company prepares recommendations on site eligibility for the National Register and management recommendations for the project taking into account cultural resources that may be present in those locations. Through these methods Metcalf can provide the client, and the overseeing government agency, with a synopsis of cultural resources present in the project area.

After field inventory for a proposed project is complete, principal archaeological investigators take into consideration the specific nature of the project, detail the impact the plan will have on present resources, and make recommendations concerning the National Register eligibility of cultural resources in the project area. Often these recommendations can be accomplished based only upon the results of a field inventory, but in other instances additional research is required. Generally, this process will include archaeological test excavations to examine the nature of deposition in order to determine whether or not the site remains relatively intact /undamaged and to determine what additional information may be present on a site beyond what can be seen on the surface. For some types of sites, especially historic EuroAmerican sites, archival research may be warranted, including investigation of homesteading and chain of ownership records, queries to local libraries or historic societies, and examination of newspaper archives. In the end, this phase of an investigation is designed to provide the needed information used by government agencies to assess what impacts, if any, a project may have on cultural resources.

Some projects end up having little or no alternative to impacting sites that are eligible for the National Register. At this stage, the agency with authority over the project will typically require that a treatment plan be prepared. The treatment plan describes steps to be taken in order to mitigate "adverse effect" as defined in the implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR §800). Metcalf works closely with their clients and with government authorities to first exhaust possibilities for avoiding National Register-eligible sites. If avoidance is not possible, Metcalf works to develop comprehensive and scientifically sound treatment strategies for mitigation of impacts to these sites. For the majority of archaeological sites, strategies involve preparation of a data recovery plan involving excavation, artifact analysis, and synthesis, based on current research questions and topics appropriate to the region, the site type, and anticipated data. Metcalf designs these plans in consultation with the client and the appropriate authority to provide a cost-effective solution to treatment: attempting to work within the client's schedule, adapt to necessary conditions, and operate at a scope and level of effort commensurate with the magnitude of the project and the project's impacts.


Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc.
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		Metcalf's projects have ranged in size from very small investigations that have required a few days of staff time to major studies that have spanned several years. The amount of each site that must be investigated to satisfy federal and state laws and regulations is normally determined by regulatory agencies, but Metcalf works closely with clients and those agencies to design cost-effective studies that can be completed within project development schedules. Nearly all of the investigations carried out by Metcalf are in support of the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and are carried out as part of this process based on implementing regulations found at 36 CFR §800. Our mission is to help make our clients' projects successful by providing top quality CRM services while furthering the profession's goals of enlarging our understanding of the region's heritage and protecting the region's cultural resources. Archaeological Surveys Archaeological investigations typically begin with a background files search, followed by on-the-ground field inventory. Files searches are a required element of most investigations and involve research at the appropriate State Historic Preservation Office and at federal agencies that have records of previous inventories and previously recorded sites. With this information in hand, Metcalf consults with the appropriate regulatory authority to determine if an archaeological survey is necessary and what level of intensity the survey should entail. Qualified archaeologists then conduct field investigations of project areas based on client needs. This work usually involves an intensive pedestrian inventory of the project area to record all historic and prehistoric resources, along with identification and re-examination of previously recorded resources. Subsequently, the company prepares recommendations on site eligibility for the National Register and management recommendations for the project taking into account cultural resources that may be present in those locations. Through these methods Metcalf can provide the client, and the overseeing government agency, with a synopsis of cultural resources present in the project area. National Register Evaluations and Impact Assessments After field inventory for a proposed project is complete, principal archaeological investigators take into consideration the specific nature of the project, detail the impact the plan will have on present resources, and make recommendations concerning the National Register eligibility of cultural resources in the project area. Often these recommendations can be accomplished based only upon the results of a field inventory, but in other instances additional research is required. Generally, this process will include archaeological test excavations to examine the nature of deposition in order to determine whether or not the site remains relatively intact /undamaged and to determine what additional information may be present on a site beyond what can be seen on the surface. For some types of sites, especially historic EuroAmerican sites, archival research may be warranted, including investigation of homesteading and chain of ownership records, queries to local libraries or historic societies, and examination of newspaper archives. In the end, this phase of an investigation is designed to provide the needed information used by government agencies to assess what impacts, if any, a project may have on cultural resources. Treatment Plans for Mitigation of Impacts to Cultural Resources Some projects end up having little or no alternative to impacting sites that are eligible for the National Register. At this stage, the agency with authority over the project will typically require that a treatment plan be prepared. The treatment plan describes steps to be taken in order to mitigate "adverse effect" as defined in the implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR §800). Metcalf works closely with their clients and with government authorities to first exhaust possibilities for avoiding National Register-eligible sites. If avoidance is not possible, Metcalf works to develop comprehensive and scientifically sound treatment strategies for mitigation of impacts to these sites. For the majority of archaeological sites, strategies involve preparation of a data recovery plan involving excavation, artifact analysis, and synthesis, based on current research questions and topics appropriate to the region, the site type, and anticipated data. Metcalf designs these plans in consultation with the client and the appropriate authority to provide a cost-effective solution to treatment: attempting to work within the client's schedule, adapt to necessary conditions, and operate at a scope and level of effort commensurate with the magnitude of the project and the project's impacts.