GIS for Archaeology and CRM

Released today in the Directions Magazine site, is a blurb about Timmons Group completion of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) Data Sharing System (DSS). The DSS provides the DHR with the ability to store and disseminate data concerning architectural, historical, and archaeological resources, as well as, integrate resource based spatial analysis. Access to the DSS is granted to DHR employees, planners, property owners, developers and othe parties with a vested interest in DHR resources. This level of integration allows the DHR to make timely and informed decisions that are based on the input of those who are concerned. While the development of the DSS comes in the face of a shrinking work force at the VA DHR , the benefits of efficiency, quicker service, and a centralized database will help in maintaining the support and protection of VA’s cultural resources.

“DSS is an example of how Timmons Group can make the most of technology for state agencies and improve their effectiveness to serve the public, thereby helping them to become nationally recognized leaders,” said Dave Lucado, president of Timmons Group.

Having worked in a State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and helping with the creation of a agency wide Cultural Resource Data Portal, I am very glad to see another state take a huge step into the integration of cultural resource. Too often and in too many states, the DHR or SHPO acts much as a gate-keeper to valuable cultural data and the resources usually suffer for it. It is true that data such as archaeological site locations needs to be guarded, to some degree, though to view all cultural data as a privileged resource is detrimental to its protection. Systems such as the VA DSS allow planners, engineers, and clients to access the data with the freedom and availability that other environmental data is granted. This allows for the integration of cultural resource issues to be brought into the planning phase much earlier that in the past; in turn saving time and money. Further, system such as the DSS allow the employees at the DHR to access and study up to date cultural resource and contextual data to make the best informed and timely recommendation.

Many states have already started down this path, some have even reached a comfortable resting place, but many still need to begin. It is nearly inevitable that all states will need a system similar to this as long at the Federal laws protecting cultural resource are still standing. It looks like the Virginia DHR DSS will be a great model to follow.

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