Archaeological Survey

Archaeological survey helps identify, document, and protect the places, artifacts and cultural landscapes that tell Maryland’s story. The Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) surveys archaeological sites on land and underwater to turn discoveries in the field into knowledge that supports planning, documentation, and policy across the state. MHT also supports archaeological survey and documentation projects through collaboration, technical assistance, permitting, and funding. Archaeological survey in Maryland must follow the Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Survey and Excavation in Maryland.

Why archaeology matters 

Archaeology gives us a clearer picture of how Marylanders lived and shaped their communities over thousands of years based on the things they left behind. By locating and documenting sites, MHT: 

• Builds an official record of Maryland’s cultural resources
• Guides planning and development decisions at the state and local levels
• Supports compliance with environmental and cultural resource laws
• Protects heritage for future generations 

Terrestrial archaeology 

MHT’s terrestrial archaeologists survey sites across the state, from farms and homesteads to industrial sites and Indigenous cultural landscapes.  

Our team and partners: 

• Identify and survey archaeological sites using field investigations and archival research
• Record findings in the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties and research reports archived in the MHT Library and other repositories
• Support planning decisions by providing data and guidance to local governments and developers
• Conduct site documentation to help evaluate potential impacts from development or land use changes 

Underwater archaeology   

Many types of archaeology sites are preserved in Maryland’s rivers, bays, and coastal waters. These include shipwrecks, ancient sites flooded by sea level change, and the remains of bridges, wharfs, and other structures. MHT’s underwater archaeologists record and study these sites to protect them and learn about the past. They do this by:  

• Finding, recording, and observing changes to underwater archaeological sites using electronic instruments and SCUBA diving 
• Working with local, state, and federal partners to maintain records, create conservation plans, and manage maritime sanctuaries and preserves 
• Protecting underwater archaeological sites from looting or damage by educating the public 
• Helping government and developers limit damage to underwater sites by sharing data  

How we do the work 

MHT uses a systematic approach to locate, document, and manage submerged and terrestrial sites: 

1. Site identification using historic maps, archival research, and field surveys
2. Field investigations to document site integrity and a sampling of artifacts
3. Lab processing to clean, catalog, and analyze collected materials
4. Data entry and reporting to create official records for the state
5. Application of findings to support planning, development review, and preservation efforts 

Artifacts recovered through MHT projects are conserved and curated at the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in St. Leonard.  

For a deeper look at how site data contributes to statewide documentation, see the Archaeological Synthesis Database page. 

Collaboration & support 

MHT works with archaeologists, tribal partners, universities, consulting firms, and local governments to coordinate archaeological survey efforts statewide. We also manage the state’s archaeological permitting system, which supports responsible investigations on public lands and waters. 

Qualified professionals can: 

• Request access to archaeological site data through Medusa or historic and cultural property GIS data layers.
• Apply for archaeological permits through MHT.
• Contact MHT staff for technical guidance and project coordination. 

For details about funding for archaeological survey and documentation, visit our Historic Preservation Non-Capital Grant page. 

Access to archaeological records is restricted to qualified archaeologists. To learn more and request access, visit Medusa’s "request user account” page. 

Learn more & get involved 

MHT supports hands-on public experiences, like the Annual Tyler Bastian Field Session, where volunteers work alongside professional archaeologists.  

To learn about our annual events, visit the Archaeology Annual Events page.  

To learn about volunteering, visit the Archaeology Volunteers page.