Cultural Resources and Inadvertent Discoveries 

Cultural resources can include archaeological sites or objects; buildings older than 50 years old that are on a historic register or eligible for the historic register; objects such as boundary markers, fountains, or monuments; locations of significant events or pre-historic or historic occupation of activity, such as trails, petroglyphs, village sites, or battlefields. 

Per Walla Walla Municipal Code 20.134.130 Inadvertent discovery of archaeological and cultural resources, if an unanticipated discovery of protected cultural material or human remains is discovered, all work shall be stopped immediately, the location be secured, and the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) and others identified in the Inadvertent Discovery Plan (linked below) be contacted. 

Documents and Resources

The WA Department of Ecology has developed a training for field staff for the inadvertent discovery of cultural resources and human remains.