In a message dated 4/16/2006 6:14:20 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/15/AR200604150118
7.html?sub=AR


A horrifying story, George, but that is why ARPA has the "100-Year Rule."  
Back in 1990, the relic-collectors demanded the right to pick up bullets and  
arrow-points on federal land and legislators changed the draft wording from  
50-years to 100-years to accommodate the collectors. Of course, on federal lands  
the 100-Year Rule is nullified by other laws. But I have always feared some  
landowner would sell tickets to pothunters to take their chances on 
archaeology  sites. Most states have no laws preventing a private property owner from 
mining  archaeology for artifacts. In fact, when visiting Skagway, Alaska in 
2000, the  curio shop dealers informed me that the baskets of Eskimo bone 
harpoons and  other artifacts were being mined from an archaeological site on private 
land,  mass-screened, and culled for market. We all have to work on our 
legislators to  change those laws to protect American heritage and fight the 
collectors through  public education campaigns. I suggest our Virginia colleagues 
hire the best  advertising firm money can buy and initiate a television blitz 
that vilifies  treasure-hunters for the horrifying things they do to our 
history.... then  go back to the legislature to change the laws.
 
Ron May
Legacy 106, Inc.