Principles for Undertaking Archaeological Research

Approved July 2000

Purpose

This document has been created to govern the activities of the Mersey Heritage Society in the field of archaeology, and to ensure that investigations are carried out in accordance with the mandate and guiding principles of the Society, in compliance with the laws of the Province of Nova Scotia, and with respect for the science of archaeology.

Activities of the Society

Cooperation with Stakeholders

Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations

• Cultural heritage resources are non-renewable and form a vital part of all communities.
• Archaeology is necessary to the growth of historical knowledge and the understanding of cultural history.
• Geographic location alone does not make a site more or less important than another.
• All artifacts found at a known or suspected archaeological site belong to the people of Nova Scotia, unless decided otherwise by the Nova Scotia Museum.
• Archaeological research must be performed in accordance with provincial legislation.

• All archaeological investigations carried out by the society shall be performed in accordance with the Society's Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations.
• When an archaeological site is threatened through development, erosion, re-zoning, sale, or other forces, the Society will evaluate the risk to, and the importance of, the site as an archaeological resource. Based on this evaluation, the Society shall decide what action, if any, is appropriate. Actions may include any or all of the following:
  • providing information to the general public regarding the site;
  • seek designation of the site under the Special Places Act;
  • appeal to the Region of Queens Municipality and/or the Government of Nova Scotia for assistance;
  • legal action against the developer; or
  • acquisition of the property.
• When deemed necessary, the Society may retain, or have retained on its behalf, cultural resource professionals to assist with, or lead, archaeological research.
• From time to time, real property may be acquired by the Society as a means to protect an archaeological site. It shall not be the goal of the Society to accumulate real property. An appropriate means of disposal shall be actively sought for any real property acquired for the sole purpose of protection.

• The Society shall endeavor to work with other organizations, such as the Nova Scotia Archaeology Society, the Queens County Museum, and the Nova Scotia Museum, to advance archaeological research in Queens County.
• Governments have a responsibility to protect, promote and support the investigation of cultural resources.
• The Region of Queens Municipality has a responsibility to manage heritage resources located on municipal lands.
• The Nova Scotia Museum and Parks Canada have a responsibility to investigate and protect sites under their control. The Society will not undertake investigations at sites under the control of these entities.

1. The site must be of significant historical or cultural importance.
2. The primary intent of the goals of the proposed investigation must be to increase the breadth of historical or cultural knowledge, or the understanding thereof.
3. A reasonable level of research shall be performed before the site is selected for investigation by the society.
4. Stakeholders in the site must be informed of, and not opposed to, the investigation. Stakeholders include ethnic, cultural, professional, family, and community groups.
5. The site must be located on a property to which the society has legal access, and which is likely to remain legally accessible for the duration of the project.
6. Reasonable efforts must be made to protect the site from vandalism and looting.
7. When deemed necessary by the board of directors, the Society shall solicit assistance from cultural resource professionals to advise the Society on matters related to archaeological sites.
8. Results of all archaeological investigations will be made public with a particular effort to inform the relevant stakeholder groups.

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