The Phase II archaeological surveys revisit an existing or recently identified archaeological site (usually identified during the Phase I survey) and includes performing further subsurface investigations. Further testing of archaeological sites is sometimes necessary beyond the Phase I level of effort in order to completely understand the potential of the site to produce significant archaeological data.
When an identified archaeological site is recommended eligible as a result of the Phase I survey, and the findings concurred with by the review agency, further testing is sometimes required to firmly establish whether the archaeological site is significant enough to warrant avoidance or mitigation. There are circumstances where an archaeological site that’s been identified during a Phase I can transition directly to a Phase III mitigation, but these cases are uncommon.