If you want to see where the public perception of archaeology is, or if you have wondered who would watch and champion shows like Digger or American Digger, just read the comments at the end of the article.  To nearly all commenters, the perpetrator is a hero who has rescued the artifacts from the ground, something the power-loving authorities and archaeologists have no desire to do so.

Bob Genheimer
Rieveschl Curator of Archaeology
Cincinnati Museum Center

-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lyle E. Browning
Sent: Friday, March 23, 2012 10:15 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Civil War Battlefield Looting

Here's some semi-good news about the capture, trial and sentencing of the most prolific (known) thief in the history of the Petersburg National Battlefield Park (VA). This bright spark kept a diary of his daily activities which was rather helpful. The bad news is of course that the info is now reduced to what's left of the artifacts he robbed. It is salutary to note that he had looted 18,500 bullets while the Park had less than 2,000 in its entire collection.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/local-news/2012/mar/23/tdmain01-for-battlefield-thefts-man-gets-366-day-t-ar-1787356/

Lyle Browning


"A Day in Pompeii" is now open at Cincinnati Museum Center! Experience the ancient city of Pompeii before it was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. More than 250 priceless artifacts including frescos, gold coins and jewelry, marble and bronze statuary join body casts of the volcano's victims eerily preserved in their final moments.