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MCX CMAC History

Since 1906 Congress has passed a series of laws and regulations that recognize the importance of our nation's archaeological and historic heritage. These regulations and laws identify archaeological and historic materials as nonrenewable resources that must be preserved for the education and use of future generations.  Visit the links below to learn more about these laws and regulations.

Thousands of archaeological and historical sites have been excavated and reports have been written, but no consistent, long-term national management plan for the care of these massive and important collections has ever been outlined by any agency. The results of federal archaeological endeavors are required, by law, to be available to the public, and the physical remains and the documentation associated with those remains are required to be curated in facilities that can properly care for these objects. More importantly, no plan currently exists on how to use these resources for national educational purposes – one of the most important reasons for keeping the collections.

In response to this growing concern, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers created a Mandatory Center of Expertise for the Curation and Management of Archaeological Collections (MCX CMAC) in 1994. Located in the St. Louis District, MCX CMAC is the largest single organization in the Department of Defense dedicated to addressing cultural resources and heritage assets management. Over the last twenty years, MCX CMAC has successfully managed highly complex projects dealing with the generation and secure management of sensitive data. MCX CMAC maintains technical expertise and capabilities that cover several specialized services.