Professional Cultural Resource Investigations
Archaeological resources can affect the planning, permitting, and development of a property. Identifying potential historic or prehistoric sites early can help project teams meet regulatory requirements and avoid unexpected delays during construction.
Quality Testing and Engineering, Inc. (QTE) provides archaeological survey services for developers, property owners, engineers, contractors, municipalities, and public agencies. Our investigations help identify and document cultural resources before they are disturbed by development or other land-altering activities.
When Is an Archaeological Survey Needed?
An archaeological survey may be required or recommended before:
- Commercial or residential development
- Road and utility construction
- Land clearing, grading, or excavation
- Infrastructure improvements
- Publicly funded or permitted projects
- Property redevelopment
- Environmental reviews
- Projects near known historic or archaeological sites
Completing a survey early allows potential cultural resource concerns to be considered during project planning and design.
What Are Cultural Resources?
Cultural resources may include physical evidence of past human activity, such as:
- Prehistoric camps or settlements
- Historic building foundations
- Cemeteries and burial sites
- Artifacts and tools
- Historic roads and trails
- Agricultural or industrial features
- Structures with historical significance
Some resources may not be visible at the ground surface, making professional field investigation an important part of the evaluation process.
Our Archaeological Survey Process
Background Research
Our team reviews historic maps, previous survey records, environmental information, and available cultural resource databases to better understand the project area.
Field Investigation
Qualified personnel inspect the property for visible features, artifacts, and other indicators of past human activity. Subsurface testing may be performed when appropriate.
Documentation
Potential archaeological resources are carefully recorded using field notes, photographs, mapping, and other established documentation methods.
Evaluation
Findings are reviewed to determine whether additional investigation, project coordination, or protective measures may be necessary.
Survey Report
QTE provides a clear report summarizing the research, field methods, findings, maps, photographs, and recommendations for the project.
Supporting Planning and Regulatory Compliance
Projects involving federal or state funding, permits, or approvals may require a cultural resource review. Archaeological surveys provide the information needed to evaluate possible effects on significant sites and support coordination with the appropriate agencies.
Early investigation can help project teams adjust site plans, establish protective measures, or complete additional studies before construction begins.
Why Choose QTE?
Quality Testing and Engineering provides careful field investigation, reliable documentation, and practical guidance for complex development projects. We coordinate with property owners, engineers, contractors, and public agencies to help address cultural resource requirements efficiently.
Our goal is to provide clear findings that support responsible planning and keep projects moving forward.
Schedule an Archaeological Survey
If your development, infrastructure, or land-disturbing project may require a cultural resource investigation, contact Quality Testing and Engineering to discuss the property and project scope.
QTE can help you clean up contaminants and bring you into compliance as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
Quality Testing & Engineering, O'Fallon, IL / St. Louis, MO
Quality Testing & Engineering, with construction testing and engineering offices in O'Fallon, Illinois and Wentzville, Mo, serves the St Louis, Missouri metropolitan area as well as areas of Southern Illinois including O'Fallon, Illinois, Edwardsville, Illinois, Alton Illinois, Belleville, Illinois, Troy, Illinois, Columbia, Illinois, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois and other areas. We provide construction testing, environmental consulting and testing, geotechnical exploration, construction materials testing and other environmental services to the St Louis area, including Wentzville, Missouri, O'Fallon Missouri, St Louis County as well as all areas of Southern Illinois.
Quality Testing and Engineering products range in size from residential homes to Industrial/Refineries, heavy industrial projects such as power plants, refineries and factories. QTE works in commercial, educational, institutional, industrial, recreational, refinery, transportation and warehousing projects.
