Natural Resources and Management

Natural Resources and Management

Cultural resources are the traces of all past activities and

accomplishments of people that includes designated historic districts,

archeological sites, buildings, structures, and objects. These also include less

tangible forms like aspects of folklife, traditional or religious practices, and

landscapes. These nonrenewable resources often yield unique information about

past societies and environments, and can provide answers for modern day social

and conservation problems.

a ship wreck

an arrowhead

a canon

an Indian campsite

Indian rock art

a tin can

a Victorian house

an historic mining town

an irrigation canal

a dam

All of these can be cultural resources. Cultural resources are the

physical remains of a people's way of life that archaeologists and historians

study to try to interpret how people lived. Cultural resources are important

because they help us to learn about our past. These tangible remains help us

understand other cultures, appreciate architecture and engineering, and learn

about past accomplishments. Furthermore, they offer educational and recreational

opportunities and provide links to our past.

People have lived in North America for at least 12,000 years.

Archaeologists and historians have divided this time span into prehistoric and

historic periods. The prehistoric period extends from the earliest arrival of

humans in North America to the coming of the European explorers. The historic

period begins with the arrival of these explorers and continues up to the

present.

As you walk across public land, something on the ground catches your eye.

You pick up a piece of pottery or an arrowhead, wondering about the people who

made this artifact. Who were they? When did they live? How did they live?

If you return the artifact to where you found it, you have left in place

a clue that could help us answer these questions. If you take the artifact home

with