Why is the protection of archaeological resources important?
Archaeological resources are locations that contain evidence of previous human presence or activity—they can include, but are not limited to, areas or structures used for living, working, ceremonies, trade, transportation, conflict and recreation. Oregon’s human history spans 13,000 years, only the last 200 years of which possesses a written history—thus, Archaeology represents our only link to understanding 99% of the State’s cultural history. For instance, relying only on written histories in Oregon would emphasize the European explorer or settler, while native cultures maintaining oral histories would be unrepresented. In addition, archaeological resources are finite and fragile resources; once a site is destroyed, the information it held is lost.
