ARCHEOLOGICAL GUIDELINES

FOR REMOTE SENSING SURVEY WORK

OF AN EXPLORATION PERMIT AREA
1. Collection of Background Information
Prior to conducting fieldwork, the following steps shall be taken by the Permittees archaeologist:
a. Consult documents, maps, records or experts as necessary to determine the known history and
prehistory of the area.
b. Obtain maps that are suitable for field plotting of anomalies, sites or archaeological features
encountered.
c. Develop a research strategy for field operations.
2. Field Survey (Remote Sensing)
a. Conduct an underwater remote sensing survey of the entire Permit area to locate objects, vessels,
or sites of potential prehistoric or historic significance.
b. The initial survey shall include a magnetometer search of the area. Sonar and other remote
sensing instruments may also be used. Coring or limited test excavations may follow once the
initial survey is completed, but will require a modification to the exploration Permit, as well as
written authorization from the Department of Environmental Protection. The results of any such
testing shall be reviewed in consultation with DHR.
c. The survey will be conducted by a technician qualified to operate and interpret the magnetometer,
its output and any other data, as well as keep accurate horizontal location positioning during the
progress of the survey. Final interpretation of the data and a report of the survey results shall be
conducted in part or in whole and managed by the Permittees archaeologist.
d. Remote sensing procedures shall consist of parallel survey lines spaced not more than 50 meters
apart. When anomaly patterns are located during the survey, a sufficient number of lines shall be
run to insure any anomaly clusters are fully defined. If the Permit area includes shore erosion
zones or anchorage areas, these shall be fully surveyed.
e. "X" and "Y" coordinates (Latitude and Longitude) and remote sensing measurements of all
anomalies recorded during the survey shall be listed in an index table and plotted on maps of
sufficient scale and detail to allow for easy relocation should identification and further evaluation
studies be required. Differential GPS, or, with DHRs approval, any other position-finding
equipment with equal or greater precision, will be used to maintain horizontal positioning during
the remote sensing survey in order to pinpoint all anomalies. The nearest US Coast Guard
differential beacon or, if unavailable or offline, a commercially available differential signal with
an error no greater than a 3 meter radius shall be used for horizontal positioning. Latitude North
and Longitude West readings are to be recorded in degrees, minutes and thousands of a minute
(three decimal places) or greater or the equivalent in decimal degrees or degrees, minutes,
seconds and decimal seconds. The differential GPS unit used for horizontal control during the
survey is to be preset to the NAD 83 (the 1983 North American Datum) prior to the
commencement of survey work.
3. Field Survey (Underwater and Other Data Gathering)

a. If indications of wreckage or any archaeological remains, historic or prehistoric, are discovered as

a result of the remote sensing survey, the Permittee shall conduct an underwater inspection of the
area to verify the presence of archaeological materials. The center of an archaeological site or a
large isolated artifact, such as an anchor or cannon, shall be given an accurate position fix by
keeping a taught buoy line tied to the target on the ocean floor and taking a reading while the
survey boats GPS satellite antenna is as directly above the marker buoy as possible. All pertinent
information about the location and nature of the site shall be recorded and reported to DHR.
b. If an historic shipwreck or prehistoric site is located during inspection and verification of
anomalies, the Permittees archaeologist shall examine the site to interpret and record its features.
Personnel from DHR may assist in this process. A preliminary site plan or drawing of visible
features, accompanied by a brief written report about the site, and a completed Florida Master
Site File form shall be submitted to DHR within 14 days of the inspection.
c. The primary intent of this Permit is to complete a remote sensing magnetometer survey of the
Permit area to determine the distribution, strength and patterns of anomalies in the Permit area by
locating them through field survey work and subsequently mapping their locations. A secondary
activity of this Permit may include diving to visually determine if anomalies are exposed and can
be identified. Mechanical excavation is strictly prohibited under this Permit. Successful
completion of the Permit depends on conducting the minimum amount of survey specified in the
MINIMUM STANDARDS OF DILIGENCE section of this Permit, keeping good records, filling
out the Daily Field Note/Activity Log provided with this Permit and turning them in on a monthly
basis, and compilation of an acceptable survey report and map(s).
4. Report Content and General Format
a. The report shall discuss the purpose and extent of the exploration Permit, and describe the
location and boundaries of the survey (including a project location map).
b. The methodology used for data collection shall be described in sufficient detail for a reviewer to
understand what was done and why. This shall include, but not be limited to, a discussion of
survey equipment used, weather conditions, survey procedures, types of data collected, recording
techniques, and any special analytical methods and techniques.
c. The report will contain a brief discussion of the history of the general area of the exploration
Permit, with specific reference to any known vessel losses or reported sites in the area. This
information shall be used to correlate remote sensing data collected during the survey with
potential sites.
d. The report shall contain an inventory of all anomalies located by the magnetometer or other
instruments, and a discussion of the results of any visual inspections or other investigation of
identified anomalies. The report shall also include copies of the graphic readouts of all anomalies
considered to be of potential significance by the Permittee including all anomalies the Permittee
has identified for potential excavation activities. Recommendations for additional evaluation of
anomalies shall be prepared with supporting documentation, which should include water depth to
target, depth of burial (as determined from the remote sensing survey), and types of equipment
necessary to identify the target.

e. The report shall include a statement of conclusions about the data, the locations of potentially
significant cultural resources, the need for any additional work to assess site significance and
measures to be taken to reduce the impact to resources.
f.

The report must be managed by the Permittees archaeologist and include the archaeologists
signed statement describing the Permittees Permit compliance.

5. Submittal of Report
a. Two (2) copies of the survey report shall be submitted to DHR for review and coordination.
Submission of revised drafts may be required based on reviewer's comments.
b. Copies of survey data (i.e., magnetometer and other sonar records and logs) are required to be
submitted with the reports.
c. Reports and supporting data shall be sent to the Permit Administrator at:
Bureau of Archaeological Research
1001 deSoto Park Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32301