Architectural and Cultural Resource Survey
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

AERC archaeology crews walked across nearly 2,500 acres of JBER, searching for signs of the land’s former residents and uses. The surveying project helped AERC’s military partners meet the goals of the National Historic Preservation Act, which calls on federal agencies to preserve historic properties and resources. Over several summers, AERC archeology teams conducted surveys in 10-meter transects while carrying cameras, field computers, and metal detectors. Researchers recommended several sites for historic preservation, including a Dena’ina community site with well-preserved cultural materials, as well as areas that provided key military training areas for the Vietnam War.