Preserving Sacred Sites of Yesterday for Tomorrow: The Archaeological Conservancy

The Archaeological Conservancy (TAC) is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to preserving archaeological sites across the United States. In the late 1970s the founders of TAC recognized the threat and lack of protections to archaeological sites on private lands. In response, TAC was organized and incorporated. Often, TAC is contacted by archaeology firms, state agencies, Tribes, and landowners with requests to explore the possibility of preserving a specific site. Many landowners find their sites to be sacred and feel obligated to preserve them. Some, feeling it is their duty to respect significant cultural places, avoid disturbing archaeological sites for generations. State laws are trending toward preserving archaeological sites on private lands. In many cases, landowners and developers are required to mitigate for the loss of a cultural resource and turn to TAC to preserve their archaeological site in situ, thus avoiding destruction of sites. The Archaeological Conservancy has over 510 archaeological preserves across the United States. Many of these sacred sites would have been completely destroyed, if not for the preservation efforts of this effective organization. TAC staff has worked with archaeologists and Native American Tribes across the United States to preserve sites that the Tribes deem sacred.