HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP2019-00016 - 12 Inadvertent Discovery Plan
1
Jefferson County Inadvertent Discovery Plan
In the event that any ground-disturbing activities or other project activities related to this
development or in any future development uncover protected cultural material (e.g., bones, shell,
antler, horn or stone tools), the following actions will be taken:
1. When an unanticipated discovery of protected cultural material (see definitions below)
occurs, the property owner or contractor will completely secure the location and contact:
a) The property owner and project manager;
b) The Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) (Stephanie
Jolivette, 360-586-3088);
c) And consult with appropriate tribal contacts for finds of Native American origin. For
assistance with determining the appropriate tribes for your project location contact
the DAHP (Stephanie Jolivette, 360-586-3088).
2. If the discovery is human remains, the property owner or contractor will stop work in
and adjacent to the discovery, completely secure the work area by moving the land-
altering equipment to a reasonable distance, and will immediately contact:
a) The property owner and project manager;
b) The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department (360-385-3831);
c) and James Kennedy, Prosecuting Attorney/Coroner (360-385-9180, after hours call
Sheriff’s non-emergency dispatch: 360-344-9779) to determine if the remains are
forensic in nature;
d) If the remains are not forensic in nature the Department of Archaeology and Historic
Preservation (DAHP) (Guy Tasa 360-586-3534, cell: 360-790-1633); will take the
lead on determining the appropriate method of treatment for the remains and will
consult with the affected tribes.
NOTE: If you discover bones but are unsure if they are human, contact Guy Tasa at the DAHP.
Cultural material that may be protected by law could include but not be limited to:
1. Buried layers of black soil with layers of shell, charcoal, and fish and mammal bones
(Figure 1).
2. Stone, bone, shell, horn, or antler tools that may include projectile points (arrowheads),
scrapers, cutting tools, wood working wedges or axes, and grinding stones (Figures 2 and
3);
3. Stone tools or stone flakes (Figures 2 and 3);
4. Non-natural sediment or stone deposits that may be related to activity areas of people;
such as buried cobbles that may indicate a hearth feature (Figure 4);
5. Perennially damp areas may have preservation conditions that allow for remnants of
wood and other plant fibers; in these locations there may be remains including fragments
of basketry, weaving, wood tools, or carved pieces;
6. Concentrations of historical period (> 50 years old) artifacts (Figure 5); and
7. Human remains. This includes complete burials as well as fragmentary remains.
2
Figure 1: Shell Middens. These middens can are often found on the shoreline and can extend into
the intertidal zone in areas that have undergone sea level rise during the precontact period.
.
3
Figure 2: Examples of stone and bone tools.
Figure 3: Examples of archaeological stone flakes.
4
.Figure 4: Photograph of a Native American hearth feature being excavated. Note the fire-
modified rock, burnt soil, and concentrated charcoal.
Figure 5. Historical period sites (more than 50 years in age) are also protect by archaeology laws.
These can include concentrations of broken ceramics, bottles, bricks, and metal objects.