Abstract

A natural gas pipeline proposal in the summer of 1974 marked the first time in a pipeline situation that archaeological values were fully addressed and considered as a separate component of the overall environmental assessment impact study. Experience on this project and others has led to a fuller understanding of the role of archaeology in pipeline and other transportation corridor situations. This paper summarizes those experiences and suggests alternative research strategies based upon a 'site avoidance' or 'preventative archaeology' philosophy. Problems concerned with description and evaluation of archaeology sites and mitigation procedures are also discussed.