ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on archaeological aspects of Cultural Resource Management (CRM) and its United States context. It also focuses on the examples of how state programs partner with descendent and local communities and other agencies to find good solutions for the stewardship of cultural resources. The book describes and evaluates CRM programs from the federal, state, tribal, and private sector perspectives. It covers data collection and resource description standards for CRM projects; using CRM data in unique ways, for example, in "Big Data" research. The book also covers adequate curation of physical collections and digital data created by CRM programs; CRM business concerns and needs; and, using CRM data and projects to build community-supported resource preservation that is effective and long-term. It illustrates the different kinds of organizations involved in CRM activities.
