(a) Until such time as a State Archaeologist is appointed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the trustees of The University of Connecticut shall designate a member of the faculty of said university to serve as State Archaeologist, who shall serve without additional compensation. He shall conduct research in the ethnohistory of the Indians of this region and of their archaeology, and shall cooperate with agencies of this state and of the federal government and with private individuals and corporations in an effort to protect and preserve archaeological remains which are threatened with destruction or loss by the construction of dams or highways or otherwise.

(b) The Board of Directors of the State Museum of Natural History shall appoint a State Archaeologist and staff for the Office of Archaeology established pursuant to § 10a-112a. The State Archaeologist shall have the following powers and duties: (1) To supervise the care and study of the archaeological collection of the State Museum of Natural History; (2) to coordinate (A) the archaeological salvage of properties threatened with destruction, (B) public and private archaeological research and the encouragement of the highest possible standards in archaeological investigations, and (C) the preservation of native American and other human osteological remains and cemeteries with the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the Indian Affairs Council and other state agencies; (3) to conduct research on the state’s prehistory and history and disseminate the results of such research through publications and other means; (4) to educate the public about the significance and fragility of archaeological resources; (5) to respond to inquiries about the state’s archaeological resources; and (6) to maintain comprehensive site files and maps.