"Conservation archaeology" is seen as significantly different from most other U.S. professional archaeology. It is postulated to constitute at least half of all U.S. archaeological research by 1976 and to offer a larger share of career positions. Its difference and volume are expected substantially to influence the discipline. Effects are seen to include some shift from foreign to domestic investigation, broader employment, increased interest in and modified preparation for archaeology as a career, greater interchange of findings, earlier testing of new concepts, more public exposure and more organization of the profession---with promise for real progress.