Scott F. Anfinson is a former Minnesota State Archaeologist. Prior to that he directed a highway archaeology survey for the Minnesota Historical Society and was the archaeologist for the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office, helping to implement the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 and nominating properties to the National Register of Historic Places. He taught cultural heritage management at the University of Minnesota for 15 years. He has been awarded two Fulbright Research Grants to study Norwegian heritage management at the University of Oslo. Anfinson has written and edited numerous publications including Practical Heritage Management: Preserving a Tangible Past (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019), Manual for Archaeological Projects in Minnesota (office of the State Archaeologist 2011), Southwestern Minnesota Archaeology (Minnesota Historical Society Press 1997), The Archaeology of the Central Minneapolis Riverfront (The Minnesota Archaeologist 1989, 1990), and A Handbook of Minnesota Prehistoric Ceramics (Minnesota Archaeological Society 1978). He has served as president of the Council for Minnesota Archaeology, editor of The Minnesota Archaeologist, director of the Minnesota Shipwreck Survey, and principal director of the Minnesota Statewide Survey of Historical and Archaeological Sites.
Practical Heritage Management: A Reasonable and Good Faith Effort by Scott F. Anfinson more than meets the need for a textbook for students and young professionals. It demonstrates to everyone who should become involved in what discussions, when, and why. No single way of doing things is correct; not all are appropriate. Thoughtful solutions are possible, however. Drawing on 40 years of experience teaching Heritage Management at the University of Minnesota and serving as State Archaeologist, this is a remarkably insightful, authoritative work by a seasoned expert. It will become a valued reference. -- Michael A. Tomlan, Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in Historic Preservation Planning, Cornell University