Alexandria Archaeology reviews development projects to determine their impact on archaeological resources, and administers the Archaeology Protection Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, included in the City’s Zoning Ordinance.

The Archaeological Protection Code requires all development projects for which site plans must be filed to be evaluated to determine the potential for archaeological resources to be impacted and for preservation actions to be taken, if necessary, prior to site development. This sometimes requires that an archaeological consultant be hired to conduct research, survey or excavation. This procedure reduces the loss of sites and objects of antiquity that represents the cultural heritage of the Nation, the Commonwealth, and the City.

In addition, Alexandria Archaeology reviews all building permits and other code enforcement permits which involve ground disturbance. On projects which do not require site plans (such as small additions to private homes), we may ask property owners to allow City archaeologists and volunteers to excavate prior to construction or to monitor the site during construction. Alternatively, we may ask that the owners call us if artifacts or features are found.

• Preservation in Action: Examples of public and private preservation efforts in Alexandria.
• The Archaeological Protection Code: The text of the City Code, included in Zoning Ordinance, Section 11-411 (D), 1992.
• The Metal Detecting Code: The text of the City Code prohibiting metal detecting, digging, or removal of objects on City property.
• Request for Preliminary Archaeological Assessment: Completion of this Form is required for compliance with the Archaeological Protection Code.
• Alexandria Archaeological Resources Map: The archaeological resource areas as described in the Archaeological Protections Code. The Report on the City of Alexandria Archaeological Protection Ordinance, which includes descriptions of the resource areas and an inventory of contributing resources, is available from Alexandria Archaeology Publications, at a cost of $8.00.
• The City of Alexandria Archaeological Standards (January 1996) describes procedures to be followed by archaeological consultants working in Alexandria, and can be ordered from Alexandria Archaeology Publications at a cost of $3.00.
• The Historic Preservation chapter of the 1992 Master Plan for the City of Alexandria is available from Alexandria Archaeology Publications at a cost of $6.00.
• The Right Way to Dig at Home. Working together to preserve Alexandria’s past.
• Archaeological Resource Management Firms: A partial list of firms who have completed projects in the Washington, D.C. area.

More about Historic Preservation Efforts in Alexandria, Virginia

• Board of Architectural Review
• Preservation Easements
• The 100 Year Old Building Survey
• Historic Alexandria Foundation

Federal Laws on Archaeological Preservation

For more information about archaeology and preservation programs of the Federal government, visit the National Park Service’s Links to the Past.

• The Antiquities Act of 1906 gives the government the power to protect antiquities on federal lands, and gives the President authority to establish national monuments and historic sites to protect them.
• The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 recognizes a federal interest in encouraging the preservation of culturally significant resources through public and private efforts. Central to the accomplishment of the goals of this act is the National Register, a current listing of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed significant in American history, architecture, archaeology and culture. Section 106 of this Act provides for archaeological studies of federally funded or licensed projects.
• The Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) of 1979 clarified the scope of protection and expanded penalties for violations of the Antiquities Act. Stealing and vandalism of antiquities on federal lands is a criminal offense punishable with fines up to $100,000 and five years in prison.
• The Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987 provides for the protection and cultural management of abandoned shipwrecks.
• The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990 requires Federal agencies and museums that receive Federal funds to complete inventories and summaries of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony, to notify Indian tries or Native Hawaiian organizations in regard to these collections, and to repatriate the return such items at the request of affiliated tribes.
• The Curation of Federally-Owned and Administered Archaeological Collections (36 CFR Part 79) is a Department of the Interior regulation passed in 1990 which establishes procedures for the care and preservation of archaeological collections.