Historic Preservation And Archaeology

The Historic Preservation and Archaeology Department of the San Carlos Apache Tribe is dedicated to protecting, conserving, and managing ancestral archaeological resources, historic landmarks, and sacred cultural landscapes across the reservation. Our team works proactively to bridge traditional Apache cultural perspectives with modern scientific methods, ensuring that our irreplaceable cultural heritage is documented, respected, and safeguarded for future generations.

Historic Preservation and Archaeology Mission

Our core mission is to protect and preserve archaeological, historic, and sacred burial sites while educating the San Carlos Apache community about the vital importance of our heritage resources. Operating under tribal resolutions and federal mandates, our department ensures full consultation and compliance across all developmental, environmental, and infrastructure projects on tribal lands.

Department Goals & Cultural Objectives

To fulfill our mandate in Historic Preservation and Archaeology across tribal lands, the department is focused on five fundamental goals:

• Protect and conserve historic, archaeological, and sacred sites through education, fieldwork surveys, elder interviews, mapping, and database management.
• Maintain a comprehensive tribal archive and library to preserve archaeological reports, historic photographs, oral histories, and cultural literature of the Apache people.
• Collaborate with tribal, state, and federal agencies to comply with historic preservation laws protecting sacred areas, burial sites, and Traditional Cultural Properties (TCP).
• Educate the community on resource stewardship utilizing modern geospatial technology, including GIS mapping, GPS tracking, and artifact dating systems.
• Establish dedicated research facilities and professional staff to ensure long-term cultural monitoring and historic preservation.

Key Accomplishments & Compliance Milestones

Our department has achieved significant milestones in cultural preservation and inter-agency cooperation:

• Developed a centralized database for all cultural resource projects and established a formal archaeological permitting system for tribal and non-tribal initiatives.
• Partnered with the Elders’ Cultural Advisory Council on traditional history, sacred geography, tribal medicine, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).
• Coordinated cultural resource compliance and consultation policies with local departments, regional enterprises, and federal partners including the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
• Established an inter-tribal cultural cooperation agreement among Arizona Indian tribes and the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona.
• Conducted educational presentations, guided heritage tours, and cultural workshops for local schools, tribal employees, and community members.

For research permits, project consultation, or Historic Preservation and Archaeology site reporting, please visit our office at Mile Marker 272 on Highway 70 or contact our administration today.