Archaeological Site Conservation at Mesa Verde National Park - Part Ⅰ: Surface Finish Preservation: A Summary of Current Work for the Archeological Site Conservation Program of Mesa Verde National Park

摘要

The National Park Service Cultural Resource Management Guidelines define cultural resources as "finite" and "nonrenewable" resources. These resources are so important that "if they are degraded or lost, so is the park's reason for being" (NPS 1998: 1). The guidelines identify key components for cultural resource management, such as research, planning, and stewardship, Research is the basis for management decisions. Thus, inventories, condition assessment, materials identification, and detailed documentation provide the baseline data needed to make preservation, visitor-impact, and visitor-enjoyment decisions.