Another opinion on "diggers"  shows from Ann Early, Arkansas State 
Archaeologist. 
I also watched  both shows. Yuck. 
One item I  noticed was that the protagonists made significant note  
that some of  their loot was going to Museums; one associated with the  
Montana prison  and another set in downtown Charleston. There was film  
of a  representative of the latter identifying and buying some of the   
loot from the  plantation adventure. 
These  institutions may be museums in name only, but this act, like   
the 'disclaimer'  at the end of the program advising others to know  
about relevant  laws (not to respect them, mind, just to be aware of  
them) give  another whif of legitimacy to the silliness. 
I checked, and  the 'museum' behavior in both episodes violates the  
code of ethics of  the American Association of Museums respecting  
collections  activities. Two points seem relevant, promoting public  
good instead of  individual gain, and  "acquisition,  disposal, and  
loan activities  are conducted  in a manner that respects the  
protection and  preservation of natural and cultural resources and  
discourages  illicit trade in such materials".  The two museums shown  
in these episodes  might not give a flip, but maybe the AAM does. 
So, museums  potentially get a black eye here, and museum directors  
may find more  metal detector folks on their doorstep asking for cash.  
That would extend  to VIC in State Parks, and NPS facilities here in  
Arkansas too, if  past experience is any guide. 
If the AAM  doesn't know about this program, seems to me they ought to   
be informed. It  wouldn't hurt having the museum world involved in  
responses to this  and the other two (now) programs. 
And, just  briefly, my thought about 'Scavengers' is to have a talk  
with people at  the National Trust. Looting old buildings is not  
something the  Trust would encourage, and since there are two Trust  
advisors in each  state, usually associated with state level historic  
preservation  advocacy groups, that is another national level  
organization with  local affiliates that could speak about its  
concerns here  too. 
The broader any  alliance that archeologists might be able to muster  
outside our own  discipline, the more effective any of our activities might 
 be. 
Ann  Early 
Arkansas State  Archaeologist