Definition of Library of Congress Selected Subject Heading Terms

At ASM Library catalogers use the following topical subjects to describe the unique archaeological activity occurring at the site in the document:

• Excavations (Archaeology)
• Salvage archaeology
• Archaeological surveying

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Excavations (Archaeology)

May Subdivide Geographically (MSG)

Archaeological excavations are areas where the soil surface has been disturbed to recover specimens. There are two levels of excavations, both of which involve physical excavation: 

1. testing, where the disturbance is limited in order to determine the presence and extent of deposits (usually done by trenching) and,
   
2. mitigation/recovery, where there is a systematic excavation of archaeological  deposits that have been identified from the site. 

Use for:           

Archaeological digs
Archaeological excavations
Digs (Archaeology)
Excavation sites (Archaeology)
Ruins
Sites, Excavation (Archaeology)

ALWAYS subdivide the term geographically. Indicate the location of the site/dig at the county level and, if possible, at the local level.

Examples:

650 |0 $a Excavations (Archaeology) $z Arizona $z Pima County
650 |0 $a Excavations (Archaeology) $z Arizona $z Tucson.

The resource may also cover an established archaeological site where archaeological work had been done, i.e. archaeologists looked for by digging and found, or did not find, deposits.  Check the Library of Congress Authorities under Subject Authority Heading to locate an official name for the site.

If it is necessary to establish an official name for the excavated site, the Libary Cataloger will need to create an authorized heading for it. Check with the Library Cataloge. Sites will usually follow this pattern:

651 |0 $a Hodges Site (Ariz.)

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Salvage archaeology

May Subdivide Geographically (MSG)

Salvage archaeology is an old term that was used to describe a response to an emergency recovery effort due to some development activity. The term was commonly used for recovery work prior to the passage of laws legislating that survey and testing work be done on land before development proceeds.

In addition, salvage archaeology may currently be used to describe archaeological work done in the course of construction activities, i.e. road building or commercial construction. Library of Congress defines it as:  Here are entered works on archaeological activity carried out at a site scheduled for demolition, usually in connection with new construction, and entailing exploration, identification and assessment of archaeological remains and, where possible, their recovery and preservation.

Use for:           

Archaeological resources management
Conservation archaeology
Public archaeology
Rescue archaeology

Related term: 

Antiquities – Collection and preservation

ALWAYS subdivide the term geographically. Indicate the location of the site/dig at the county level and, if possible, at the local level.

iExample:

650 |0 $a Salvage archaeology $z Arizona $z Pima County.
650 |0 $a Salvage archaeology $z Arizona $z Tucson.

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Archaeological surveying

May Subdivide Geographically (MSG)

Archaeological surveying describes work where either archaeologists research information or go to a site and walk, survey or canvass the resources on the ground. There is no ground disturbance of the site. There are three classes of archaeological surveying (Class I, Class II, Class III).  Archaeological monitoring is also covered by this subject term.

Use Archaeological surveying in the 650 MARC field and ALWAYS subdivide the term geographically. Indicate the location of the site/dig at the county level and, if possible, at the local level.

When subdivided by place, an additional entry must be made under the name of the place with the subdivision, Antiquities, i.e. in the 651 MARC field.

650 |0 $a Archaeological surveying $z Arizona $z Tucson.

651 |0 $a Tucson (Ariz.) $x Antiquities.

In addition, ASM Library has approved the use of the following local terms(for use in the 690 MARC field.

Archaeological survey, Class I

Class I archaeological surveying describes the activity of a documentary search of literature to determine if resources have been inventoried at the site.  It involves no site survey or ground disturbance.

Archaeological survey, Class II

Class II archaeological surveying describes the activity of a documentary search of literature and some ground truthing.  Archaeologists visit the site and look at a sample of the area to determine whether deposits are present.

Archaeological survey, Class III

Class III archaeological surveying describes the activity of a documentary search of literature and a systematic survey of the site by archaeologists.

Archaeological monitoring

Archaeological monitoring describes the activity of observing while some disturbance of the site is taking place, usually related to construction development that has been previously approved or permitted.

Archaeological testing

Archaeological testing is limited excavation of a site to determine the scope and integrity of any deposits at the site.   

Archaeological data recovery

Archaeological data recovery is the physical removal of deposits from a site. 

In all cases where you are using the local terms, you should also have Archaeological surveying in subfield $a of the 650 MARC field and its geographic qualifier in the 651 MARC field with subfield $x Antiquities.

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