Petroglyphs in America

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Rhiannon R
Rhiannon Jun 19, 2006 07:51:14

Thought this might be interesting - about the protection (or lack of) available in the law:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5896119,00.html
If the thieves say 'oops they didn't realise those boulders with pictures on they were winching away were worth $1,000, or of any archaeological value' then they get away with it.

However in this case, the defendants got convicted of stealing government property. Which isn't really enough.

The usual thing about knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing I suppose.

What protection do stone things have in this country? Or is it just *gold* the law's interested in?

N nigelswift
nigelswift Jun 19, 2006 08:07:15
Replying to Rhiannon

What protection do stone things have in this country? Or is it just *gold* the law's interested in?

The Monuments Protection Programme identified 600,000 sites of outstanding national importance and worthy of protection. Less than 6% are Scheduled and 94% are up for grabs.

Plus, all archaeological investigation prior to development is on the basis of funding by the developer, so the piper calls the tune (ask George).

Finally, my dear little mates the metal detectorists have hoiked 400,000 archaeological objects out of the ground every year for the past 40 years....

There's good news though. At least we're not Ireland. ;)