The Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) located in the Laboratory of Archaeology at the University of Georgia is the official repository for Georgia’s archaeological site information. The GASF was established in 1976 (please see history for more information), in compliance with a federal mandate (Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act) that centralizes information about historic properties and cultural sites. As an archive, GASF does not evaluate historical significance or potential impact of development to cultural sites. Further, the GASF does not explain the CRM system to agencies or organizations that require CRM guidance other than referring them to the Georgia Historic Preservation Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and providing the HPD letter dated February 22, 1995. Please contact the Historic Preservation Division with questions related to these topics. GASF currently curates information for over 60,000 recorded cultural sites and over 14,000 Cultural Resource Management (CRM) reports.
The site file is in place so that CRM companies, government agencies, and qualified individuals have archaeological information readily available for research, as well as for Section 106 compliance review. Due to Georgia law (OCGA 50-18-72[a][10]) the specific information about location and contexts of archaeological sites is protected. Please see this link for information on State and Federal Laws. Therefore, only those individuals with proper credentials are granted access site file information. The site file is open to professional archaeologists conducting research or engaging in Cultural Resource Management activities. There are numerous protocols in place that GASF personnel follow to ensure that site forms, maps, reports, and Georgia's Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources GIS (GNAHRGIS) are accurate and current. The archaeological data in GNAHRGIS is updated frequently, but since we continually acquire new information from the Historic Preservation Division and other CRM companies we cannot guarantee that we have all information about every cultural site in Georgia.