The primary goals of OSA and FOSA are to leave sites in place for future generations of archaeologists. OSA estimates that we are losing 50-60 archaeological sites a year to development, vandalism and natural erosion. We only excavate those sites in immediate danger; however, when possible, we preserve archaeological sites through land management, open space, historic preservation easements, and other non-destructive strategies.

Future generations of archaeologists will have far better technological tools available to them to extract more information from their excavations than we could possibly achieve today. So, it is important that they have sites to research. That will only come about through active archaeological site conservation and public awareness of their significance.