John P. Staeck wrote: > > Bottom line, if you want to treasure hunt do it in archaeology - record the > information and do a good job so that we can all profit in the experience. > We can debate the disposition of material remains another time, but at > least record the info no matter what any court decides - no? > Yes, yes, yes. It is, after all, what you find out, not what you find. An interesting artifact, once removed from it's context, becomes worthless as a source of information. Let them keep the cool stuff if they want, just let it be archaeologically excavated and documented. I personally don't care to have public monies spent on a well documented 19th century wreck, but if the "treasure hunters" want the stuff, have them pay to have it done right. Steve Boxley, MN. The Virginia Foundation for Archaeological Research [log in to unmask]