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This report presents the results of a community-wide archaeological reconnaissance survey of the town of Bolton, Massachusetts, conducted by the Archaeological Services at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for the Bolton Historical Commission. Funding was provided by the Bolton Historical Commission and the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
Background research was conducted from August 2000 through April 2001. Lands within the town were stratified into areas of low to high potential to contain prehistoric and historic sites, based on environmental characteristics and the previously recorded history of land use. Then, between February and April 2001, an archaeological field reconnaissance was completed of selected sites and areas of high potential to contain cultural resources. The walkover reconnaissance covered approximately forty-six sites.
Most of the staff of Archaeological Services are now or have recently been associated with the Department of Anthropology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Mitchell Mulholland served as principal investigator. The project archaeologists were Timothy Binzen (for historic resources) and Christopher Donta (for prehistoric resources). Margaret Kelly and Maureen Manning contributed to historical research and preparation of the report. The graphics were produced by Kathryn Curran. Jan Whitaker edited the final version of this report.
Archaeological Services conducts archaeological investigations in accordance with Federal and State legislation. Procedures are in compliance with legislation and regulations concerning the impact to archaeological properties from federally funded or permitted activities. These include the ANTIQUITIES ACT of 1906 (PL 59-209), the HISTORIC SITES ACT of 1935 (PL 74-292), the NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT (PL 89-665, 16 USC 470, as amended), EXECUTIVE ORDER 11593 of 1971, the NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT of 1969 (PL 91-190, 42 USC 4321), ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEDURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF HISTORIC AND CULTURAL PROPERTIES (36 CFR VIII, Part 800), and the ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION ACT of 1974 (PL 93-291). State legislation dealing with the protection of historic and archaeological resources includes
Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter 9, Sections 26-27C), the UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY ACT (Chapter 989, Acts of 1973) and the MASSACHUSETTS ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (MGL, Chapter 30, amended by Chapter 947 of the Acts of 1977). Massachusetts archaeological permit regulations are outlined in 950 CMR 70.00.
In compliance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 9, Section 27, Massachusetts State Permit 1976 was issued by Brona Simon, the State Archaeologist. Field data are stored permanently at the Archaeological Laboratory of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
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