Archaeologica.org

Hello, isn't it illegal for a person to sell Anasazi artifacts? just wondering because there is this one seller on ebay that is offering a lot of very very old native american artifacts from many different tribes.
Please let me know asap!!!! Thank you.

Unfortunately, as this web site will show you, the answer depends on a lot of ifs.


http://www.arrowheads.com/burials.htm#nagpra

I believe all the Anasazi sites are in AZ.
So AZ law would apply.
I believe that in AZ,
if they were found on private land,
and have no body parts involved,
and if a grave was not disturbed in collecting them,
they are legal to buy or sell.

The Fedreal law only applys to stuff found on Federal land.

Inconveniently, the Anasazi were located near the "Four Corners" area of Arizona which put them into New Mexico, Utah and Colorado as well. Such distinctions meant nothing back then but it becomes a serious legal question today.

Don't worry about the law - looted Native American artifacts invoke a worse curse than King Tut's tomb: Maeche Katet. That's why you don't find veteran "arrowhead" collectors plundering sites back east.

Among the veteran collectors, finds in farmer's fields are okay, and if some small house is being lost to construction or erosion, that's generally considered acceptable. But undisturbed sites and particularly graves bring about bad, bad luck.

I always suggest to people who I run into who collect "arrowheads" that they make "provenience" cards for each one, and to make specific instructions in their wills so that they will not be dispersed. I also suggest that they donate them to some civic group where their lessons will not be lost.

E.P. Grondine
Man and Impact in the Americas

I always suggest to people who I run into who collect "arrowheads" that they make "provenience" cards for each one, and to make specific instructions in their wills so that they will not be dispersed. I also suggest that they donate them to some civic group where their lessons will not be lost.

Good advice. Also, it's a great idea to take pictures of the area, paying special attention to the stratigraphy. An in situ picture is recommended before removing any item from the surface. If you feel like digging for something, don't do it.

In California, even if you're not on BLM (Federal) Land, if you start digging to recover items, you will wind up in jail courtesy of the state. A native burial ground is forbidden for many reasons, not the least being EP's warning about bad karma.

And burn some incense while you are at it.

Fortunately, private property is still private property.