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DHPA Home > Info for Professionals > Information for Archaeology Professionals Information for Archaeology Professionals

Conducting Research at DHPA

Once you have been listed on our qualified professional list, scheduling a records check.

  • How to schedule an appointment: Call our office (317/234-5254). Records check appointments for qualified individuals are currently available Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. These slots fill up quickly, so be sure to call as soon as you know you will need an appointment.
  • Provide the office with your information request.
  • Note: The Indiana DHPA charges fees for archaeological records checks at a rate of $35 per half hour.
  • The following procedure is in effect: When you arrive, please check in with Cathy, the Records Check Coordinator, in room W-274 (Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology). She will assist you by filling in the start time and end time on your Archaeology Public Information Request Tracking sheet, as well as the number of copies you have made. She will assist you with any questions you might have during your records check, and when you have finished, she can accept payment by credit card, cash, or check. You may be billed later.
  • If there is no one at the DHPA front desk when you arrive, please ring the bell and you will be helped. Visitors are not allowed past the DHPA front office. In addition, please keep all valuables with you at all times when in the Indiana Government Center, as the state is not responsible for lost or stolen property. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Recording archaeological sites in our state:
  • The DHPA distributes the archaeological site numbers in Indiana. Once a professional archaeologist has discovered a site(s), call our office (317/232-1646) to request archaeological site number. County designations for Indiana archaeological sites numbers are provided.
  • Archaeological site forms are obtained from the DHPA. Each recording of, survey or re-survey of an archaeological site needs to be recorded on an archaeological site form.
  • Completing a cemetery registry survey form. For archaeologists who discover or investigate a cemetery in Indiana, a reminder that we encourage you to fill out the Cemetery Registry survey form and submit it to our office in addition to the archaeological site form.
Staying informed in the field
  • Archaeology News is a free monthly e-newsletter on Indiana Archaeology. If you would like to sign up, contact Amy Johnson, Archaeology Outreach Coordinator. To see the archive of past issues, go here.
  • Download the Guide to State Preservation Services and Indiana’s Cultural Resources Management Plan 2005-2011. These documents will acquaint you with the many services offered by our office as well as the preservation and archaeological goals for the state.
  • Sign up for Preserving Indiana, the Division newsletter. Contact our office to sign up for the DHPA’s bi-annual official newsletter.
  • Participate in Indiana Archaeology Month. This is a great way to become more involved in archaeology in our state.
  • Become familiar with the laws which protect archaeological sites in Indiana.
  • Read the archaeological publications available from our office.
  • Learn about archaeology grant opportunities available from our office.
Conducting Archaeological Fieldwork

When asked to undertake an archaeological project, please make sure that you have documentation that authorizes that work. If the project is being conducted under Section 106, the client or lead federal agency should be able to provide you with a copy of documentation that the work is being required. If the project is being conducted on state property, you must have documentation that an approved plan (under Indiana Code [IC] 14-21-1) for the work has been issued. In addition, if the activity is to be conducted on private property, and isn’t conducted under Section 106, an approved plan under IC 14-21-1 is also required if any level of work beyond surface survey will be conducted. Always make sure that landowner permission has been obtained, and that curation issues have been addressed as well. It is also best if you carry the documentation requiring the investigation with you in the field in case you are questioned by law enforcement officials. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our office at 317/232-1646.

Archaeological Qualifications

Archaeologists who wish to work in Indiana or conduct records checks must meet certain qualifications. Questions regarding these qualifications, and what information to submit, should be directed to Dr. Rick Jones, State Archaeologist, at 317/232-1646.

To see the qualification requirements for work in Indiana, see:

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