Public Lands, Public Sites: Research, Engagement, and Collaboration

This collection contains the abstracts of the papers presented in the session entitled "Public Lands, Public Sites: Research, Engagement, and Collaboration" at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Some of the most significant archaeological sites in the United States and abroad are located on public land. Professionals who work with these federal, state, and local entities find their time divided among a staggering number of responsibilities and stakeholders. While the management, stewardship, and interpretation of the buried past isn’t always prioritized within these organizations, unique opportunities for preservation, connection, and exploration abound. This symposium will highlight projects conducted in a variety of taxpayer-funded agencies, some with long traditions of archaeology and some just getting off the ground. The goals of the session, sponsored by the SAA Public Archaeology Interest Group, include highlighting best practices and approaches to public lands archaeology and emphasizing the importance of these sites and projects for descendant communities, natural and cultural resource managers, and the citizens who own the land.