Archaeology, Cultural Records

Archaeological sites reveal stories of past human activity that the written record cannot. Cultural resources in the form of archaeological and historic sites offer tangible connections to those who came before us. SHPO helps protect archaeological sites and cultural resources by promoting their identification, documentation, and interpretation.

Under Construction

Stay tuned for more information! In the meantime, contact our office with questions.

Report a Discovery

You are required by law to report discovery of human remains, burial sites, or funerary objects.

Emergency Response

Disaster preparedness and response for cultural resources at risk.

Compliance & Permitting

Section 106 consultation for archaeological and traditional cultural properties. Antiquites permits for work on state lands.

Tribal Liaison

Consultation with Tribes and assistance with National Register nominations for Traditional Cultural Properties and archaeological sites.

Education & Interpretation

Heritage education projects through the Montana Historical Society education program and in schools.

Montana's Archaeological Record, Cultural Resource Survey

Preservation and appreciation of Montana’s archaeological sites and places of cultural importance to Indian peoples.

Montana SHPO maintains a statewide survey to identify and document historic buildings and archaeological sites. To date, about six percent of Montana’s lands have been surveyed, documenting 67,000 cultural resources. While all cultural resources cannot be preserved, documented resources provide a record from which others can continue to learn from these relics of the past. When we know where resources are located, we can better protect them from loss or damage due to development, natural disaster, and vandalism.

Because of the sensitive nature of cultural resources records, access to specific site records, inventory reports, and GIS data requires a signed Data Use Agreement between the requesting party and Montana SHPO. In some cases, individuals conducting research or with established contracts with Montana SHPO are permitted partial or full access to the database as registered users. These users can view site records, inventory reports and other published and gray literature, project submission and review status, and eligibility and effects findings.

What is the role that Tribal Historic Preservation Offices have in projects off their reservations?

THPOs take the place of SHPOs on reservation lands - meaning that agencies must consult with the Tribe and have their concurrence before proceeding with a project unless the agency instead gets that concurrence from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Tribes have an important consultation role for non reservation lands they traditionally used and/or have reserved Treaty rights in. That means an agency must consult with them about projects on those patrimonial lands but Tribal concurrence is not required when deciding to proceed or not.

What do I do if I find a unmarked/marked burials or human remains?

Do I own the artifacts on my land? What about on public lands?

In Montana, artifacts belong to the landowner; therefore private land means private owner and public land means public agency owner. If you find an artifact on land you do not own you should always contact the land owner before doing anything else. There is one important legal exception to this basic ownership rule. If artifacts were left with a human burial they are not owned by the land owner. Neither the human remains or any artifact found with them can be owned - they are not property abandoned. If you think you have found something like that you are required by law to contact the local coroner and/or the State Archaeologist after securing the site as best you can.

Does my Cultural Resource Consulting firm need a Montana permit?

The Montana State Antiquities Act applies to projects on state lands only. The Act provides, in part, for the review of agency proposed projects and mitigation plans by the SHPO and the issuance of Antiquities Permits (required only for the excavation, removal, or restoration of any Heritage Property on state lands). If you are working on state lands e.g. Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the Universities or the Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation, etc., you must consult directly with that agency. If a need for an Antiquities Permit develops, the agency will consult directly with the State Archaeologist. Inventory and testing work generally does not require a state Permit. If you work on federal lands you will likely need an ARPA permit from the land managing agency but no Montana state permit is necessary.

Under Construction

State Archaeology & Cultural Records

Report a Discovery

Emergency Response

Compliance & Permitting

Tribal Liaison

Education & Interpretation

Montana's Archaeological Record, Cultural Resource Survey

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions