Cultural Resource Management

Definition

Cultural Resource Management (CRM) is the practice of managing and preserving cultural resources, which include archaeological sites, historic buildings, artifacts, and other tangible and intangible elements that are significant to a particular culture or community. CRM plays a crucial role in the context of archaeological research methods, as it helps to ensure the protection and responsible use of these valuable cultural resources.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. CRM involves the identification, evaluation, and management of cultural resources to ensure their protection and preservation.
2. CRM practitioners, such as archaeologists and historic preservation specialists, work to balance the needs of development and economic growth with the conservation of cultural heritage.
3. Legislation, such as the National Historic Preservation Act in the United States, provides a framework for the implementation of CRM practices.
4. CRM often involves conducting archaeological surveys, excavations, and impact assessments to understand the significance and condition of cultural resources before development or other activities take place.
5. The goal of CRM is to ensure that cultural resources are considered and appropriately managed in the decision-making process, allowing for their long-term preservation and responsible use.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of Cultural Resource Management in the context of archaeological research methods.
  • Cultural Resource Management (CRM) plays a crucial role in archaeological research methods by ensuring the protection and responsible use of cultural resources, such as archaeological sites, historic buildings, and artifacts. CRM practitioners work to identify, evaluate, and manage these resources, balancing the needs of development and economic growth with the conservation of cultural heritage. This involves conducting archaeological surveys, excavations, and impact assessments to understand the significance and condition of cultural resources before any activities that could potentially impact them. By integrating CRM into the archaeological research process, researchers can ensure that cultural resources are considered and appropriately managed, allowing for their long-term preservation and responsible use in the pursuit of archaeological knowledge.
• Describe how legislation, such as the National Historic Preservation Act, provides a framework for the implementation of Cultural Resource Management practices.
  • Legislation, such as the National Historic Preservation Act in the United States, establishes a legal and regulatory framework for the implementation of Cultural Resource Management (CRM) practices. These laws mandate the identification, evaluation, and management of cultural resources, including archaeological sites and historic buildings, before any federal or federally funded projects can proceed. This framework requires CRM practitioners to conduct surveys, assessments, and consultations to determine the significance and potential impacts on cultural resources. The legislation also provides mechanisms for the protection and preservation of these resources, such as the designation of historic landmarks and the requirement for mitigation measures when impacts are unavoidable. By providing this structured approach to CRM, these laws help to ensure that cultural resources are considered and appropriately managed in the decision-making process, promoting their long-term conservation.
• Analyze how the goals of Cultural Resource Management, such as the preservation of cultural heritage, can influence the methodologies and approaches used in archaeological research.
  • The primary goals of Cultural Resource Management (CRM), such as the preservation of cultural heritage, can significantly influence the methodologies and approaches used in archaeological research. CRM practitioners, who are often archaeologists themselves, must balance the need for scientific investigation and the expansion of archaeological knowledge with the imperative to protect and conserve cultural resources for present and future generations. This can lead to the adoption of more non-invasive or minimally destructive research methods, such as surface surveys, remote sensing, and limited excavations, in order to gather information while minimizing the impact on the cultural resources. Additionally, CRM may prioritize the documentation, interpretation, and public presentation of cultural resources over extensive excavation, as this can help to raise awareness and foster appreciation for the significance of these resources without compromising their physical integrity. By integrating the goals of CRM into the archaeological research process, practitioners can ensure that their work contributes to the broader objectives of preserving cultural heritage while still advancing scientific understanding.

Related terms

Cultural Heritage: The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present, and bestowed for the benefit of future generations.

Cultural Significance: The importance of a place, object, or practice based on its aesthetic, historic, scientific, social, or spiritual value for past, present, or future generations.

Preservation: The act of protecting cultural resources from damage, deterioration, or destruction, ensuring their continued existence and accessibility for present and future generations.