Program overview: The cultural resources program located at ITD headquarters in Boise has accumulated a number of artifact collections from archaeological and historical sites. Unfortunately, most of these artifacts are still in the paper bags and cardboard boxes that they were originally packed in when they were collected out in the field. These artifacts need to be curated for placement in proper long-term storage.

The artifacts in ITD’s collections have come from highway and other transportation project locations around the state of Idaho and consist of a wide variety of items. From prehistoric sites, obsidian projectile points, stone knives, and granite mortars have been collected, as well as many different types of debitage flakes. Historic sites have yielded pieces of building materials, automotive parts, household items, and many rusty nails and broken fragments of glass. Not every artifact is complete – in fact, most are not - but each one has its own story to tell.

Volunteers are needed to assist with this curation work. Because all of the artifacts are located at ITD headquarters the artifact opportunities will take place in Boise.

The types of tasks to be performed include the following:

• Reviewing project files and field notes for background information and any pre-existing catalog data on artifacts
• Identifying and preparing written descriptions of artifacts
• Weighing and measuring artifacts, using metric instruments
• Taking digital photographs of artifacts and preparing photograph logs
• Labeling individual artifacts
• Sorting and packaging artifacts for long-term protection and
• Entering artifact information into a Microsoft Access database.

If you or your organization would like to participate in this program please download our Artifact Curation Forms Packet (PDF).