Southern Nevada Archaeological Archive

About the Archive

Welcome to the Southern Nevada Archaeological Archive (SNAA), located at the Desert Research Institute (DRI), Las Vegas campus.

Notice – effective January 1, 2022, all record searches will be processed electronically. All records housed at the SNAA have been digitized and are available in PDF format. The facility has been transitioning since 2011 to long term archival storage in an effort to reduce physical handling of the documents and ensure their long term preservation. Special requests to conduct an in-person record search will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and will be limited to viewing the PDF versions of the documents on a desktop system in the archive office area. Handling of paper records will be by archive staff only.

The SNAA houses cultural resource documents pertaining to the southern counties including Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye, and White Pine. If you need information pertaining to any other Nevada county, please contact Ms. Anna Camp at the Nevada State Museum – Carson City.

Those wishing to use the archive’s digital services should note that access to the archive is in accordance with regulations set forth by the State Historic Preservation Office. Access will only be granted to individuals meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for archaeology. Questions concerning archive access should be directed to Ms. Karyn de Dufour, NVCRIS Program Manager, at the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

The requirements for accessing the archive’s digitized holdings can be met by providing proof of one of the following:

1. Be in possession of a current antiquities permits issued by the State of Nevada, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, United States Forest Services, or any other land managing agency in the state of Nevada. Or;
2. Be a current Nevada Cultural Resource Information System (NVCRIS) user.

Those individuals not having one of the above listed items may submit a resume to Karyn de Dufour, NVCRIS Program Manager, for access approval. Ms. de Dufour can be reached at the phone number or email address listed below.

The Nevada Cultural Resource Information System (NVCRIS) is a collection of online GIS database services which contain recorded archaeological and architectural resources and inventories for the state. There are two levels of access to the NVCRIS system: Restricted and Unrestricted.

• The Restricted NVCRIS service is available to those users who meet the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Archaeology, as the service contains confidential archaeological information.
• Unrestricted NVCRIS contains non-sensitive architectural resources and inventories, as well as some archaeological inventory data.

To request access to either NVCRIS service, please contact Karyn de Dufour, NVCRIS Program Manager, for application forms and subscription information. Details can be found in the NVCRIS Subscription Information.

Archive file searches can be submitted by completing the Request for File Search Form below, and sending it via email to snaa@dri.edu. Please call 702-862-5545 to contact the archive manager in regards to any questions.

Allow at least 7 to 10 business days for completion. Larger projects may require more time.  Please plan accordingly.

• A copy of the Request for File Search form (below) must be signed and submitted with a 1:24,000 scale (7.5’) USGS topographic map of your project area and the entire area of potential effect (APE) clearly delineated. If we do not have copies of your maps to scale, your file search cannot proceed. For large projects please contact us to coordinate sharing of GIS shapefiles to facilitate your search.
• Please explain all topographic maps, townships, ranges, and sections within your APE in your initial contact if they are relative to your search needs. If you have conducted a NVCRIS search and are only requesting PDF files, please include your contact and building information along with the project name for inclusion on the archive invoicing. In these instances additional details are not required.
• A copy of all relevant permits and/or proof of access to NVCRIS or the Archive by SHPO must be submitted or noted on your request form. If we do not have copies of the signatory’s permits or affirmation from SHPO, your file search cannot proceed.

For a listing of current Archive use fees, please consult our fee schedule at the end of the Request for File Search form which can be downloaded from this link:

• Request for File Search Form and Archive Fee Schedule

Please note that the Southern Nevada Archaeological Archive is not the repository of architectural forms and reports or Nevada Register of Historic Places and National Register of Historic Places forms. These documents are retained by the Nevada SHPO in Carson City. Some of these forms or reports may be on file or accessible by Archive staff. Please specify if you would like these items included in your file search when available.

The Southern Nevada Archaeological Archive makes no warranties or guarantees, either expressed or implied, as to the completeness, accuracy, or correctness of the data portrayed in its holdings nor accepts any liability, arising from any incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information contained therein. All information, data, and databases are provide “as is” with no warranty, expressed or implied, including but not limited to, fitness for a particular purpose.

By requesting access to Archive files and/or a check of the NVCRIS website and/or data contained within the databases, you hereby release the Southern Nevada Archaeological Archive and Nevada State Historic Preservation Office, their employees, agents, contractors, and suppliers from any and all responsibility and liability associated with its use. In no event shall the Southern Nevada Archaeological Archive or Nevada State Historic Preservation Office or its officers or employees be liable for any damages arising in any way out of the use of the archive, website, or use of the information contained in the databases herein.

For those interested in obtaining site numbers or information regarding NVCRIS please contact Ms. Karyn de Dufour, NVCRIS Program Manager, Nevada State Historic Preservation Office at 775-684-3447 or kdedufour [at] shpo.gov for details.

For those interested in any other county records please contact Ms. Anna Camp, Nevada State Museum at 775-687-4810 ext. 261 or acamp [at] nevadaculture.org.

Related Links

• Nevada State Historic Preservation Office
• Nevada Cultural Resource Information System (NVCRIS)
• Secretary of the Interior’s Standards
• Nevada State Museum