Special Places

Archaeology permits are available in three categories: Reconnaissance, Research and Resource Impact Assessment.

To apply for a permit follow these steps:

1. Review the guidelines for the applicable permit.

2. Complete, sign and date the Heritage Research Permit.

3. Complete the 'Description of Project' that must accompany the permit.

4. Submit your application to the Special Places Program.

5. If this project has the potential to impact Mi’kmaq cultural resources Archaeologists are encouraged to engage the Mi’kmaq as part of project planning and implementation.

Guidelines

Archaeological Reconnaissance (Category A) Guidelines (PDF 418 KB)

Category A heritage research permits are valid for up to one year.

Archaeological Research (Category B) Guidelines (PDF 270 KB)

Category B heritage research permits can be issued for up to two years (previously one year) for longer research projects that extend beyond one year. Permit holders will be required to provide an interim report after one year. To apply for a two-year Category B HRP, ensure that you complete the "start date" and "end date" sections of your permit application to reflect a two-year project.

Archaeological Resource Impact Assessment (Category C) Guidelines (PDF 321 KB)

Category C heritage research permits can be renewed at the one year mark and beyond for assessment projects that extend beyond one year. Permit holders will be required to submit an interim report after one year. To extend a Category C HRP, send an email to spp@novascotia.ca that references the permit number of the Category C project you want to extend and includes: an interim report, the new requested end date and a rationale for the extension. Review and approval of extensions take two weeks (10 business days) to complete so please ensure your request for an extension is timed to reflect this.

Permit expiry dates will remain standard as 31 December (calendar year end). For example, if an applicant submits an application in May of 2026, for a two-year Category B permit, the expiry date will be 31 December 2027. Permit requirements including reports, MARI forms, and collections will follow the existing guidelines but adjusted to reflect the up to two year permit timeline/expiry.

Application

Heritage Research Permit (Archaeology) (PDF 68 KB)

Cost

Archaeological Reconnaissance (Category A) - Free
Archaeological Research (Category B) - Free
Archaeological Resource Impact Assessment (Category C) - $110.00
 

Resources

Standards for Archaeological Impact Assessment and Reporting in Debert and Belmont, Nova Scotia (PDF 4.2 MB)
If you are planning to do archaeological assessment work in the Debert-Belmont area, these standards must be followed. They provide the most effective testing methodologies for Paleo-Indian sites.

Maritime Archaeological Resource Inventory (MARI) Form (PDF 812 KB)

Shovel Test Record Form (PDF 627 KB)

Heritage Research Permit Reports Confidentiality Op-Out Form (PDF 49 KB)