The Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties (MIHP) is the official inventory of both architectural
and archaeological resources for the state of Maryland. There are currently over 13,000 archaeological
sites on the MIHP, with more being added virtually daily.
Placing a Site on the MIHP
To register a site, a survey form must be completed and submitted to the Archaeological Registrar of
the Maryland Historical Trust. These forms, and detailed instructions, are available for download
below.
A Basic Data Form must be completed for all sites. There are three
supplemental forms: an Historic Data Form for recording historic components, a Prehistoric Data Form for
recording prehistoric components, and a Shipwreck Data Form for recording specific details of shipwrecks.
If your site does not contain a shipwreck, you may delete the shipwreck form. Likewise, if it
is only prehistoric or only historic, please delete the blank form.
If you have any questions, please contact the Archaeological Registrar, Jennifer Cosham, at (410) 697-9542.
When the form is complete, it must be submitted to the registrar in order to receive a site
number. The preferred method of submittal is as a Microsoft Word document, emailed to
Jennifer.Cosham@maryland.gov. The USGS quadrangle
map, the sketch map, soil profiles, and any photographs you choose to include may either be pasted
into the document itself or sent as separate email attachments.
If the file is too large to email, it is recommended that the graphics be sent separately. Large
numbers of site forms or files of unusual size are requested on a CD. If digital submittal is
not possible, the form may be printed and mailed to:
Jennifer K. Cosham
Archaeological Registrar
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Department of Planning
100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 20132
Members of the public may record archaeological finds by contacting the Archaeological Registrar. Archaeological
finds reported by members of the public or non-archaeological professionals are recorded as "Quad Files," and are
available to professional archaeologists through the Medusa Cultural
Resource Information System. You may use the Archaeological
Find Reporting Form or simply send a map an explanatory paragraph. Photographs are gladly accepted but not
required. A map, however, will be necessary to record the location.
