O.C.G.A. § 12-3-53 (2019)

In order to implement the protective and research policies as outlined in Code Section 12-3-52, the department will appoint a state archeologist whose duties will be: (1) To direct, coordinate, and otherwise engage in fundamental archeological research on state lands containing sites or objects of archeological significance and to advise the commissioner of natural resources in permitting or entering into contractual agreements with recognized scientific institutions or qualified individuals to do the same; (2) To cooperate with other agencies of the state which have authority in areas where sites are located; (3) To conduct a survey of important archeological sites located on state land and, upon request, to survey and officially to recognize significant archeological sites on privately owned land, thereby encouraging the owner to cooperate with the state to preserve the site; (4) To conduct salvage archeology through data recovery on state sites threatened with destruction; (5) To protect, preserve, display, or store objects of archeological significance discovered by field archeology at state sites or discovered during the course of any construction or demolition work;

(6) To establish training programs, either independently or in conjunction with institutions of higher learning, in order to disseminate knowledge concerning archeology and its related disciplines; and (7) To encourage the dissemination of archeological facts through the print or electronic publication of reports of archeological research conducted by the department.