The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Office of Cultural Resources (OCR) Archaeology Program manages, preserves, and protects the Commonwealth’s archaeological resources in state parks, forests and reservations, in compliance with historic preservation laws and regulations.
Our Staff Archaeologists assist in internal and external project review and compliance, education, and outreach, to preserve and protect the non-renewable archaeological resources under our stewardship. DCR Archaeological staff does not share archaeological site locational information, consistent with state and federal historic preservation regulations.
What to do if you...
...discover artifacts
Unless there's a threat, leave what you found as you found it. Context is the most important part of the site. If you have to move the materials, record as much information as you can about the place (e.g. distance to nearby landmarks, features, etc.). In either case, contact the DCR Archaeologists as soon as possible.
...want to donate materials
Please contact the DCR Archaeologists.
...want information on archaeological site locations
Site information is confidential.
...witness anyone collecting or digging on state land
Immediately contact the DCR Park Supervisor, Park Rangers, and DCR Archaeologists. Any person who, without a permit, injures, destroys, excavates, appropriates, or removes any historic or pre-contact ruin, artifact, ancient object, Native American remains, Native American cultural item, or archaeological resource on public lands is subject to arrest and penalty of law. Penalties may include fines, imprisonment, or both under state regulations.
...witness someone using a metal detector
Immediately contact the DCR Park Supervisor, Park Rangers, and DCR Archaeologists. Use of metal detectors are not allowed on DCR property. Excavation associated with metal detector use causes adverse effects to non-renewable archaeological resources.
...witness someone taking, removing, destroying, defacing, tampering or disturbing any rock, earth, soil, gem, mineral, fossil, or other geological deposit
Immediately contact the DCR Park Supervisor, Park Rangers, and DCR Archaeologists. DCR staff may coordinate with the Massachusetts State Geologist and/or Massachusetts State Archaeologist.
...are present when human burials are accidentally uncovered
Do Not touch or disturb the bones. Cover and Protect the Site. Immediately call the local or state police, DCR Park Supervisor, and DCR Rangers about the discovery and location. The Massachusetts State Archaeologist and DCR Archaeologists may be involved in cases where the human bones are over 100 years old pursuant to the Massachusetts Unmarked Burial Law.
...are interested in finding out more about archaeology and the resources that are available to the public
Please see the following links to DCR and other resources on the Archaeology of Massachusetts:
- DCR Park Interpretive Calendar
- DCR Programs & Events
- DCR Stewardship Map
- DCR Archaeology Laboratory at Dillaway-Thomas House
- Massachusetts Historical Commission
- Boston City Archaeology Laboratory
- Massachusetts Archaeological Society
- Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs
- Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources
...want more information on Historic Preservation Laws and Regulations related to Archaeology:
Additional Resources
- Archaeological Dig on Georges Island! (video)
- Archeology Month (video)
-
Open PDF file, 61.17 KB, National Register DCR Properties (English, PDF 61.17 KB)
-
Open PDF file, 137 KB, Cultural Resource Laws and Regulations (English, PDF 137 KB)