Archaeological Survey Program of the Museum of the Plains Indian

              MUSEDM OF THE PLAINS INDIAN UNITED STATES BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
Browning, Montana
INFORMATION LEAFLET NO. 3
by Thomas F. Kehoe, Curator
THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROGRAM OF THE MUSEUM OF THE PLAINS INDIAN
The Museum of the Plains Indian initiated in 1952 an archaeological survey program designed to bring to light the aboriginal occupations of north-central Montana and adjacent areas.   Each archaeological site discovered by the Museum staff or Ireported by interested persons is described as fully as possible on the Museum's Site Survey Form, is marked on topographic, highway and aerial-photo maps, and is listed according to numbering system devised by the Smithsonian Institution's River Basin Surveys Program.   This leaflet has been prepared by the Museum to enable amateur archaeologists and serious collectors to cooperate with the Museum and its sister institutions In their attempt to rediscover the ancient Northern Plains.
The archaeologist recognizes two phases in his study of early man.   First, he must make an extensive survey of his area, describing every known site�its location, terrain, evidence of occupation, and all other observable significant features.   To ensure his noting everything of importance, the archaeologist follows the Site Survey Form.   When his survey is as complete as his time and finances permit, the archaeologist enters the second phase of intensive excavation.   The most [promising sites found in the survey are excavated with the careful controls of scientific archaeology.   The trained professional can obtain by digging not only (every Imperishable fragment of the Indians' material possessions, but also fragile, vital clues to their social, religious, political and intellectual way of life.
Informed amateurs know that their aid is invaluable to the professional archae-(ologist making an extensive survey of their area.   When they cooperate with him by directing him to the sites they know, and by giving him filled-out Site Survey Forms on these sites and others they have seen, the amateurs play a major role In the rapid completion of the survey.   And prompt reporting of sites may prevent their loss through looting, building activities, or other vandalism.   Intensive excavation, however, is a Job that can be competently performed only by profes-siohal archaeologists, who have had years of university and field training.
"A site once dug is forever destroyed."   Even the most well-intentioned amateur cannot recover the priceless details by which the professional archaeologist can reconstruct the way of life of bygone peoples.   Our federal government and many of our states recognize the dangers of unskilled excavation and prohibit it on their land; many private property owners also prosecute trespassers collecting artifacts* The Secretary of the Interior will grant permits for the excavation of aboriginal (prehistoric) or historic sites only to properly-trained professional archaeologists sponsored by institutions such as the Museum of the Plains Indian or the state university.   A copy of the Federal Act for the Preservation of American Antiquities lis included In this leaflet, and should be familiar to all amateurs.
The Museum does request the aid of Interested amateurs in their proper role, as informants in its archaeological survey program.   Blank Site Survey Forms are available from the Curator of the Museum (Browning, Montana).   A completed Form for a typical Montana site is included in this leaflet as a guide.   The Museum will officially number each site, to avoid duplication of numbers.   An explanation {of the numbering system is attached, should the amateur wish to use temporary (designations for his own records.