§ 70-31. Archaeological investigation of human skeletal remains. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 70‑31.  Archaeologicalinvestigation of human skeletal remains.

(a)        If an agreement isreached with the landowner for the excavation of the human skeletal remains,the State Archaeologist shall either designate a member of his staff orauthorize another professional archaeologist to excavate or supervise theexcavation.

(b)        The professionalarchaeologist excavating human skeletal remains shall report to the StateArchaeologist, either in writing or by telephone, his opinion on the culturaland biological characteristics of the remains. This report shall be transmittedas soon as possible after the commencement of excavation, but no later than twofull business days after the removal of a burial.

(c)        The StateArchaeologist, in consultation with the professional archaeologist excavatingthe remains, shall determine where the remains shall be held subsequent toexcavation, pending other arrangements according to G.S. 70‑32 or 70‑33.

(d)        The Department ofCultural Resources may obtain administrative inspection warrants pursuant tothe provisions of Chapter 15, Article 4A of the General Statutes to enforce theprovisions of this Article, provided that prior to the requesting of theadministrative warrant, the Department shall contact the affected landowners andrequest their consent for access to their land for the purpose of gatheringsuch information. If consent is not granted, the Department shall givereasonable notice of the time, place and before whom the administrative warrantwill be requested so that the owner or owners may have an opportunity to beheard. (1981, c.853, s. 2; 2007‑484, s. 10(d).)