This volume, "Archaeological Studies in the Cortez Mining District, 1982" by Donald L. Hardesty and Eugene M. Hattori , presents the results of the second field season of a three year project jointly sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management and the University of Nevada, Reno. The earlier volume resulting from this project, "Archaeological Studies in the Cortez Mining District, 1981" (1982), described the findings of the first field season's efforts and provided relevant archival information concerning the project study area. This second volume describes the type and distribution of sites and features identified from the more systematic field survey undertaken in 1982. Also described are the key artifact types recovered from excavations, including Overseas Chinese Culture ceramics. Most importantly, several behavioral models are posed for future investigations including the explanation for Overseas Chinese behavior at the frontier mining center of Cortez and the definition of patterns of interaction between 19th century Victorian Culture and the various folk cultures introduced into the region. These models helped guide the third field season of work concluded in the summer of 1983.