Sage-Tips

What do you do if you find an artifact?

Leave the artifact where you found it. Please don’t pick it up, move it, throw it, put it in your pocket or your bag, or bury it. Note where you are. Snap a picture of the artifact where you found it.

Is there a requirement to report discoveries of archaeological sites?

In the United States, builders are obligated to report archaeological finds if a project requires a permit, a license, or funding triggering compliance with historic-preservation laws, Cris Kimbrough, PhD, PMP, archaeologist and managing director for CBRE Telecom Advisory Services, said.

Who do archaeological finds belong to?

landowner
By law, archaeological objects (apart from Treasure – see below) normally belong to the landowner. Archaeologists will generally make provision with the landowner for objects they find to go into a public collection, such as a museum.

What is not considered an artifact?

Examples include stone tools, pottery vessels, metal objects such as weapons and items of personal adornment such as buttons, jewelry and clothing. Natural objects, such as fire cracked rocks from a hearth or plant material used for food, are classified by archaeologists as ecofacts rather than as artefacts.

Can you sell artifacts you find?

In the United States, the National Historic Preservation Act and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act work hand in hand to both preserve and claim artifacts found on U.S. soil. Professionals in the field do not keep, sell or trade artifacts they uncover.

How do you get an artifact authenticated?

For authentication services, contact an artifact consultant or authenticator. Most will supply you with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) after an item is authenticated. We recommend using authenticators from the same region the artifact was found.

What makes an object an artifact?

An artifact is an object made by a human being. Artifacts include art, tools, and clothing made by people of any time and place. The term can also be used to refer to the remains of an object, such as a shard of broken pottery or glassware.

How do I find a lost artifact in North Carolina?

North Carolina’s Historic Preservation Office website http://www.hpo.ncdcr.gov/ and the Office of the State Archaeologist http://www.archaeology.ncdcr.gov/. You could also contact your state or local archaeology society for help identifying the artifact and to learn more about the history and prehistory of your property.

Can I claim an archaeological site on my land?

And if you find that you have a genuine archaeological site discovered on your land, you may as well be a renter from the government. In the United States, the National Historic Preservation Act and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act work hand in hand to both preserve and claim artifacts found on U.S. soil.

What should I do with an artifact I found?

What should you do, ethically, you might ask. You’ve got 4 options as I see it. You can: Keep the artifact. Sell it. Donate it to a museum or nearby university. Attempt to repatriate it to the proper descendants.

Is it legal to find artifacts on private property in Sweden?

And since there are no laws in Sweden that forbid trespassing on private property, a person may cross through someone’s yard, find an artifact and lay claim to it. And if you find that you have a genuine archaeological site discovered on your land, you may as well be a renter from the government.