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Vermont Archaeological Inventory (VAI)

French Trade Ax pre-ca 1800Renew your VAI ORC access for the current year here: VAI ORC Application Instructions and Application

The Vermont Archaeological Inventory (VAI) is a database tool maintained by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation (VDHP) recording Vermont’s rich archaeological heritage. The VAI contains over 4,000 individual records of documented archaeological sites. These sites span 13,000 years of Vermont history, from Paleo-Indian camps to 19th-century mining districts and 20th-century underwater wrecks. 

Efforts to collect the archaeological site data began in 1975, with VDHP staff and unpaid volunteers visiting college and university departments, historical societies, town museums, and knowledgeable informants to generate a baseline inventory of known archaeological sites in Vermont. This data forms the VAI, which was created through legislation in 2009. 

Data is entered regularly into the VAI. Yet, the VAI is not an all-inclusive record of Vermont’s archaeological sites. Many of Vermont’s sites have not been documented and most have yet to be discovered. The level of documentation contained in the VAI varies widely, depending on the circumstances of the site’s discovery and individual ability to record a site.

The VAI establishes the basis for future historic designations to the  National Register of Historic Places, State Register of Historic Places , or State Archaeological Landmark.
 
Access to the VAI is restricted, ensuring protection of records containing sensitive information about the locations of archaeological sites and underwater historic properties. Archaeology professionals can request access to these records by reading the VAI ORC Policy for User Access and completing the VAI ORC Application Instructions and Application. If approved, you will be given a username and password to access the archaeology records in the Online Resource Center. Applications must be renewed annually.

Contact information: Please send questions/comments to ACCD.DHPORC@vermont.gov

Jess Robinson, State Archaeologist
802-272-2509

Scott Dillon, Survey Archaeologist
802-272-7358

Yvonne Benney Basque, Historic Resources Specialist
802-505-1020