ABOUT THE PROJECT

Independent Research for Questions Still Waiting to Be Investigated

The Ancient Landscapes Project is an independent, avocational citizen-science collaborative that combines firsthand knowledge, historical evidence, modern analysis, and responsible field documentation to investigate overlooked archaeological and paleontological questions.

Why the Project Exists

More Questions Exist ThanFormal Research Can Pursue

Professional archaeology and paleontology face real constraints: limited personnel, fixed budgets, competing priorities, and vast geographic scope. Formal programs can investigate only a fraction of the terrain where evidence may exist.

We exist to narrow that gap—identifying credible, field-verified candidates that professionals can evaluate, permit, and study.

Landowners, avocational researchers, and local observers regularly encounter artifacts, features, and fossils that go undocumented because no formal channel exists to receive and evaluate them. The Ancient Landscapes Project provides that channel.

What We Are

  • An independent, avocational initiative organized by individuals with professional training and technical expertise.
  • A discovery pipeline: remote sensing → predictive modeling → field verification → professional referral.
  • A confidential reporting channel for landowners, avocational researchers, and citizen observers.
  • Committed to confidentiality, non-destructive methods, and professional referral at every stage.

What We Are Not

  • A professional archaeological or paleontological firm, university department, or government agency.
  • A permitting authority. We do not issue permits, authorize excavation, or determine site significance.
  • A substitute for professional consultation, tribal consultation, or regulatory compliance.
  • An organization that confers professional status, certification, or institutional affiliation on participants.

How We Fit

  • Candidate sites are referred to qualified professionals for permitting, evaluation, and stewardship.
  • Participation does not confer organizational affiliation or professional credentials.
  • No individual or institution endorses the project unless they have explicitly stated so in writing.

Our Commitments

Standards That Define Our Work

These principles apply whether an investigation begins with a family story, a private collection, a map anomaly, or a formal dataset.

Confidentiality First

Site locations, landowner identities, and reporter information are never disclosed publicly. Data is shared only with qualified professionals under written confidentiality agreements.

Non-Destructive by Default

Remote sensing, surface survey, and geophysical methods are the default. Excavation is never undertaken by the project. Any subsurface investigation requires professional permits and oversight.

Professional Referral at Every Stage

Candidate sites are referred to qualified archaeologists or paleontologists for permitting, evaluation, and stewardship. The project does not conduct formal evaluations, determinations of eligibility, or mitigation.

Transparent Methods, Protected Data

Methods, code, and non-sensitive workflows are documented and shared openly. Sensitive location data remains restricted.

No Guarantees of Publication or Peer Review

The project documents and refers candidates. Publication decisions rest with professional colleagues and editorial boards. The project does not promise peer-reviewed outcomes.

Respect for People, Places, and Laws

All field activities comply with applicable federal, state, tribal, and local laws. Landowner permission is secured before any site visit. Tribal and descendant community perspectives are sought and respected throughout the process.

Participate in the Research

A Clue May Be Enough to Begin

Landowners, researchers, and observers are essential partners. A single observation can redirect a survey, protect a site, or launch a study.

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