# RCW 27.53.030: RCW 27.53.030: Definitions

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S030

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 27.53.030
- **Heading:** RCW 27.53.030: Definitions
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 27 / Chapter 53 / Section 030

## Text

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Amateur society" means any organization composed primarily of persons who are not professional archaeologists, whose primary interest is in the archaeological resources of the state, and which has been certified in writing by two professional archaeologists. (2) "Archaeological object" means an object that comprises the physical evidence of an indigenous and subsequent culture, including material remains of past human life, including monuments, symbols, tools, facilities, and technological by-products. (3) "Archaeological site" means a geographic locality in Washington, including but not limited to, submerged and submersible lands and the bed of the sea within the state's jurisdiction, that contains archaeological objects. (4) "Archaeology" means systematic, scientific study of humankind's past through material remains. (5) "Department" means the department of archaeology and historic preservation, created in chapter 43.334 RCW. (6) "Director" means the director of the department of archaeology and historic preservation, created in chapter 43.334 RCW. (7) "Field investigation" means an on-site inspection by a professional archaeologist or by an individual under the direct supervision of a professional archaeologist employing archaeological inspection techniques for both the surface and subsurface identification of archaeological resources and artifacts resulting in a professional archaeological report detailing the results of such inspection. (8) "Historic" means peoples and cultures who are known through written documents in their own or other languages. As applied to underwater archaeological resources, the term "historic" shall include only those properties which are listed in or eligible for listing in the Washington state register of historic places (RCW 27.34.220 ) or the national register of historic places as defined in the national historic preservation act of 1966 (Title 1, Sec. 101, Public Law 89-665; 80 Stat. 915; 16 U.S.C. Sec. 470) as now or hereafter amended. (9) "Historic archaeological resources" means those properties which are listed in or eligible for listing in the Washington state register of historic places (RCW 27.34.220 ) or the national register of historic places as defined in the national historic preservation act of 1966 (Title 1, Sec. 101, Public Law 89-665; 80 Stat. 915; 16 U.S.C. Sec. 470) as now or hereafter amended. (10) "Prehistoric" means peoples and cultures who are unknown through contemporaneous written documents in any language. (11) "Professional archaeologist" means a person with qualifications meeting the federal secretary of the interior's standards for a professional archaeologist. Archaeologists not meeting this standard may be conditionally employed by working under the supervision of a professional archaeologist for a period of four years provided the employee is pursuing qualifications necessary to meet the federal secretary of the interior's standards for a professional archaeologist. During this four-year period, the professional archaeologist is responsible for all findings. The four-year period is not subject to renewal.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 27.53.010 RCW 27.53.010: Declaration.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S010.md)
- [RCW 27.53.020 RCW 27.53.020: Archaeological resource preservation—Designation of department of archaeology and historic preservation—Cooperation among agencies.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S020.md)
- [RCW 27.53.030 RCW 27.53.030: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S030.md)
- [RCW 27.53.040 RCW 27.53.040: Archaeological resources—Declaration.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S040.md)
- [RCW 27.53.045 RCW 27.53.045: Abandoned archaeological resources—Declaration.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S045.md)
- [RCW 27.53.060 RCW 27.53.060: Disturbing archaeological resource or site—Permit required—Conditions—Exceptions—Penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S060.md)
- [RCW 27.53.070 RCW 27.53.070: Field investigations—Communication of site or resource location to department.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S070.md)
- [RCW 27.53.080 RCW 27.53.080: Archaeological activities upon public lands—Entry—Agreement—Approval of activities—Information regarding results of studies and activities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S080.md)
- [RCW 27.53.090 RCW 27.53.090: Violations—Penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S090.md)
- [RCW 27.53.095 RCW 27.53.095: Knowing and willful failure to obtain or comply with permit—Penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S095.md)
- [RCW 27.53.100 RCW 27.53.100: Historic archaeological resources on state-owned aquatic lands—Discovery and report—Right of first refusal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S100.md)
- [RCW 27.53.110 RCW 27.53.110: Contracts for discovery and salvage of state-owned historic archaeological resources.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S110.md)
- [RCW 27.53.120 RCW 27.53.120: Recovery of property from historic archaeological sites—Mitigation of damage—Refusal to issue salvage permit to prevent destruction of resource.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S120.md)
- [RCW 27.53.130 RCW 27.53.130: List of areas requiring permits.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S130.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T27_C53_S030. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.