Nebraska Buried Sites Geographic Information System

Thanks to funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), the Nebraska State Historical Society and the Kansas Geological Survey have completed a multi-phase groundbreaking research project that developed Geographic Information System (GIS) data layers to delineate different landform-sediment assemblages and depict associated geologic potential for buried cultural deposits in select watersheds across Nebraska.

Built using a combination of soil survey data, over 50 years’ worth of previous archeological and geomorphic investigations, landform position, and other information, these data layers are designed to work as a planning tool in concert with other methods of cultural resources investigation (e.g., surface survey, standard subsurface testing) to assist NDOT, other agencies, and cultural resources specialists in determining whether future project areas are likely to be free of deeply buried sites or whether more substantial subsurface exploration is necessary. Phases I and II of the project were completed in 2018 and 2021, and Phase III—focusing entirely on the Sandhills Region—was completed in 2024. Final reports for all three project phases can be found on the Archeology Digital Resources webpage.

The resulting datasets from all three phases were combined into two GIS web applications that are available to researchers: The Nebraska Deeply Buried Archeological Deposit Potential application, and the Nebraska Deeply Buried Archeological Deposit – Localities application.

The Nebraska Deeply Buried Archeological Deposit Potential application is publicly accessible and features only the predictive polygons depicting the potential for a landform to contain buried cultural resources. Researchers may add project area shapefiles to the app and print maps depicting the potential for buried cultural deposits within those project areas.

The Nebraska Deeply Buried Archeological Deposit – Localities application contains an additional layer that includes the referenced archeological and geomorphic localities used to build the predictive model and assess the assigned potential ratings. Localities data includes stratigraphic soil profiles, dated soil contexts, photographs of stratigraphy and landforms, and archeological site data. Because it contains sensitive archeological site location information, which is protected by state and federal law, the Localities application is only available to SOI-qualified archeologists. If you are qualified and wish to access this layer, please contact hn.archeology@nebraska.gov, providing detail about your access request and a copy of your current CV or resume demonstrating SOI qualifications. After review by State Archeology Office staff, access to the Localities application will be shared with you.

Please note: due to temporary delays, the Nebraska Deeply Buried Archeological Deposit – Localities application is not yet published. However, the data/reports contained within are still accessible to qualified professionals upon request. Reach out to hn.archeology@nebraska.gov to inquiry if your project area contains any localities considered within the application.

Access

You can access the public Nebraska Deeply Buried Archeological Deposit Potential application by clicking this link.

A user guide to assist in use of both applications can be found on the Archeology Digital Resources webpage.

Any questions, comments, or issues with the Nebraska Buried Sites GIS web application or associated documents can be directed to hn.archeology@nebraska.gov.