The position of Departmental Consulting Archeologist (DCA) was created in 1927 to assist the Secretary of the Interior with archeological matters handled by any bureau of the Department. Jesse Nusbaum, a Southwestern archeologist, was the first DCA.
From the beginning, the DCA’s activities included a range of functions, including reviewing Antiquities Act Permit applications, oversight of permitted investigations, advocacy for better protection of archeological sites on DOI lands, prevention of unlawful excavation and gathering of archeological objects on federal and tribal lands, and encouragement of publication of archeological reports by the scientific and educational institutions that carried out most of the studies under early Antiquities Act permits.
The DCA continues to work for the enforcement of laws protecting and preserving America's archeological record and provides guidance and technical assistance to federal agencies with archeological responsibilities. Currently, the DCA is the Lead for the NPS Archeology Program. The kinds of activities carried out today as part of the DCA function include:
- developing regulations and policy documents, often in concert with other federal agency officials
- coordinating joint archeological activities and programs undertaken by federal and other public agencies
- reporting to Congress on Federal archeology
- developing and publishing technical and programmatic information related to archeological preservation
- supporting archeological training, in particular damage assessments for unlawfully damaged sites that can be used in ARPA prosecutions
- maintaining archeological public education and outreach programs.
Last updated: March 24, 2023