Statewide Survey of Historical and Archaeological Sites

The Legislature created the Statewide Survey of Historic & Archaeological Sites to provide opportunities to expand our understanding of historic and archaeological sites statewide. Projects are defined by an oversight board and are conducted through competitive-bid contracts. So far three major topics have been addressed by the survey: identification and protection of sensitive historic and archaeological resources; geographic surveys of poorly-known areas of Minnesota; and thematic studies of poorly-understood historic contexts. To date, 27 projects have been conducted, which have expanded the number of documented historic and archaeological sites in Minnesota, increased our understanding of where such sites are likely to be located, and illuminated cultural traditions, lifeways and technologies dating to the earliest human occupations of the state.