The need for a central location to store and maintain archaeological data and artifacts became necessary as the result of increasing numbers of archaeological projects being conducted in the state by professional archaeologist and academic departments.

The original Department of Archaeology was created as a state agency in 1963, by South Carolina State Law. The purpose of this agency was to promote archaeological study in the state. It was to be funded by grants. This was not successful and the law was amended creating the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (IAA) and locating it at the University of South Carolina. It was during this time in 1968 that the state-wide inventory was created and maintained by IAA.

The law was once again amended in 1985 and the IAA became the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA). One new postion was added during this time, a Laboratory Manager. Duties for the Laboratory Manager included managing the labs, curation, and the State Archaeological Site Files. Not until 1988 were the Site Files managed by a full-time staff member when the Laboratory Manager position became the Site File Manager position.

The law has been amended over the years and currently is referred to as the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology Enabling Act of 1963 SC code Ann 60-13-210. Today, SCIAA is made up of six divisions (Figure): Administrative Division, Research Division, Underwater Division, Cultural Resource Consulting, Savannah River Archaeological Research Project (SRARP), and the Office of the State Archaeologist.

The Office of the State Archaeologist is made up of four groups, Curation, Conservation, Publications, and Information Management Division (IMD). IMD is responsible for maintaining the South Carolina State Archeological Site Files, also referred to as the Site Files.

SCIAA Divisions perform various functions. These range from conducting archaeological research in South Carolina to preserving and storing archaeological collections as well as advising and supporting the SHPO, and the archaeological community.