Heritage Research Permits – Archaeology

Introduction

The Heritage Division administers the Special Places Protection Act, a provincial statute that provides for protection and study of archaeological and historical sites and remains. Anyone who is searching for archaeological or historical remains needs a Heritage Research Permit before they can proceed. The applicant must be qualified to do the work described in their application.

There are three types of permits available, which are generally described below. Follow the links for the permit guidelines.

Archaeological Reconnaissance (Category A)
An examination of a defined area to locate archaeological resources using methods that do not include disturbance of subsurface deposits, but may involve limited surface collection.

Archaeological Research (Category B)
An examination of a defined area, including subsurface deposits, for the purpose of obtaining information on the archaeological resources located on, in or under the land, or underwater.

Archaeological Resource Impact Assessment (Category C)
An inventory and evaluation of archaeological resources and the assessment of impacts in connection with development proposals which will potentially disturb or alter the landscape, thereby endangering archaeological sites.

If you are planning to do archaeological assessment work in the Debert-Belmont area, the Standards for Archaeological Resource Impact Assessment and Reporting in Debert and Belmont, Nova Scotia must be followed. These standards provide the most effective testing methodologies for Paleo-Indian sites.

Heritage Research Permit Application

Please read the associated guidelines above and sign and date your application. The Heritage Research Permit (Archaeology) is available for download as a PDF. The free Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.
All applications must be accompanied by a complete 'Description of Project' and submitted to the address below.

*Note: Forms can be completed using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. Please complete the form directly in the document before printing. If you are using the commercial version of Adobe Acrobat Professional, you can also save a copy of the form to your computer.

Maritime Archaeological Resource Inventory (MARI) Form

A printable version of the MARI form is now available as a PDF. All sites recorded by a permit holder must be documented on a MARI form. Please print the completed form on acid free paper and submit along with other supporting documents i.e. notes, plans, etc. Note: Downloading of this PDF is recommended.

Shovel Test Record Form

A printable version of our Shovel Test Record form is now available as a PDF . Please print the completed form on acid free paper and submit along with other supporting documents i.e. notes, plans, etc. Note: Downloading of this PDF is recommended.

Heritage Research Permit Reports

Please note that all permit reports must be accompanied by a completed and signed Confidentiality Op-Out Form. This form is necessary for the Heritage Division to determine the conditions under which your report can be accessed by fellow researchers, the public and other interested parties.

Please submit your applications and forms to:
Laura Bennett
Coordinator, Special Places
1747 Summer Street
Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 3A6
902-424-6475 (phone)
902-424-0560 (fax)
Email