Cultural Resource Management: A Definition

When an American archaeologist tells you she works in CRM, what she (generally) means is she conducts archaeological research in advance of federally-funded construction projects. But that's not all that CRM--Cultural Resource Management--really entails. Cultural Resource Management is, essentially, a process by which the protection and management of the multitudinous but scarce elements of cultural heritage are given some consideration in a modern world with an expanding population and changing needs. This newly revised definition of CRM was written with the kind and ruthless assistance of Tom King, uncrowned dean of CRM in the United States, and occasional contributor to these pages.