This series consists of violation and complaint files related to archaeological sites across the province. The files were created by the Archaeology Branch and its predecessors from 1977-2019. Records relate to the receipt of and response to complaints and violations under the Heritage Conservation Act. Complaints usually originate from the public and may lead to investigations of alleged violations. This can include investigating Heritage Conservation Act offences, preservation intervention, recommendations, final decisions or charges for convicted offences.
Offences under the Act include damage, desecration, excavation, removal or other alteration of archaeological sites, artifacts, petroglyphs, burial sites, human remains, culturally modified trees (CMTs) and other heritage objects without a valid permit. Many files relate to site damage or artifact removal during industrial activities, such as logging or construction. Some files relate to the discovery of potential sites or artifacts during the course of this work. Other files relate to relic hunters or people posing as archaeologists and the theft of artifacts.
Records include correspondence, memoranda, site inventory forms, maps, photos, police records, court records, legal opinions, archaeological impact assessments, reports, field notes, incident reports, injunctions and stop work orders.
Records are arranged alphabetically by the name of the relevant geographic location. File titles may include the Borden number identifying the site location. File dates are approximate. Many files contain records with earlier dates and very few files contain records up to 2019. 2019 was the year all files were closed.
Classified as 11100-30 in the Archaeology Operational Records Classification System (ORCS).
British Columbia. Heritage Conservation Branch