-do a q copy type=archive f=d you'll get a series like below
look for an active
look for an active
look at the copy destination to see the storage pool used
do a q stg to see if it has any data
assuming the stg pool is separate from one used for backups, if it has data it 
has archives
do a q content xxxxxx on a volume in that storage pool to see what on it and 
type ( backup or archive)

It sounds like you need to go thru the getting started with TSM guide

           Policy Domain Name: SPAIX
               Policy Set Name: ACTIVE
               Mgmt Class Name: ARCH1YR
               Copy Group Name: STANDARD
               Copy Group Type: Archive
                Retain Version: 365
            Copy Serialization: Shared Static
                Copy Frequency: CMD
                     Copy Mode: Absolute
              Copy Destination: ARCH1YR3590
Last Update by (administrator): ADMIN
         Last Update Date/Time: 07/07/00   16:03:51
              Managing profile:


>>> perpetua.selva AT RBCDS DOT COM 11/03/00 10:21AM >>>
 q copy type=archive

Policy        Policy        Mgmt          Copy            Retain
Domain        Set Name      Class         Group          Version
Name                        Name          Name
---------     ---------     ---------     ---------     --------
GM            ACTIVE        GM-NT         STANDARD           365
GM            ACTIVE        GM-NT         STANDARD           365
GM            ACTIVE        GMCLASS       STANDARD           365
GM            GMSET         GM-NT         STANDARD           365
GM            GMSET         GMCLASS       STANDARD           365
L32GENER-     ACTIVE        L32EXCLU-     STANDARD           365
 AL                          SIVE
L32GENER-     ACTIVE        L32TAPE--     STANDARD           365
 AL                          ONLY
L32GENER-     L32SET        L32EXCLU-     STANDARD           365
 AL                          SIVE
L32GENER-     L32SET        L32TAPE--     STANDARD           365
 AL                          ONLY
STANDARD      ACTIVE        ENH_RBCDS     STANDARD           365
STANDARD      ACTIVE        STANDARD      STANDARD           365
STANDARD      ACTIVE        SYBASE        STANDARD           365
STANDARD      STANDARD      ENH_RBCDS     STANDARD           365
STANDARD      STANDARD      STANDARD      STANDARD           365

This is what i get..

When i took on this project, i was told no 'archivals' were in place... How
can i tell if there are 'archives'

Thanks