This book is a primer for anthropologists and archaeologists on the statutes and administrative systems governing historic preservation in the United States. As such, it contains chapters on the history of historic preservation in the United States since the late 19th century, historic preservation laws, state and federal agencies, the qualifications necessary for placement of a property on the National Register of Historic places, surveying of historic properties, a case study of a mythical town which requires a historic properties survey before construction of a reservoir may proceed. Appendices include a list of all relevant U.S. Statutes, Procedures, and Associated Memoranda; and examples of a completed form for nomination to the National Register, a memorandum of agreement calling for salvage archaeology before construction, and letters to agencies notifying them of compliance problems or soliciting advice. See also AATA 17-143 and 18-186.