The Role of GPR in Community-Driven Compliance Archaeology with Tribal and Non-tribal Communities in Central California

Abstract For tribes whose preservation values and mitigation strategies for managing cultural heritage are built on an ethic of avoidance minimal disturbance, geophysical technologies can be key components the research design. These technologies, most notably ground-penetrating radar, have been used with great success in identifying evaluating depth, extent, composition some those resources management purposes, easing tensions when working sensitive ancestral places. Additionally, archaeological geophysics has shifted from feature finding order to excavate targets interest recognition that survey provide data interpretations whole sites landscapes complementary or beyond excavation, especially regarding intactness sensitivity sites. This use as a primary method rather than precursor empowered another tool advocate low-impact investigation position pro-science. Geophysical scientifically rigorous yet minimally impactful investigating while satisfying requirements academic compliance archaeology ways also culturally appropriate much broader spectrum tribal under consideration.