While Kevin Bartoy and Dan Thompson bring up some interesting points, they're a bit far afield. Archeological resources protection laws in the US have been developed *not* for archeologists and the academic community but for the public. These laws flow directly from the public trust doctrine. Lands and other properties placed in the custody of or affected by the federal (and in some cases, state) government must be treated as properties belonging to *all* of the people. Pothunters (why not just say looters and vandals), however well-meaning, steal heritage from the public, whether or not for personal gain. That's what makes their occupation criminal. I've heard Dan's point about "erosion" before. It's the main justification for illegal fossil hunters. "If we don't dig'em up, they'll just erode away." Isn't it a pity there isn't more funding for proper excavation and recovery? John Dendy Archeologist Dyamac Corporation Fort Riley, KS