Archeology vs Grave Robbing - where does it cross the line?

[RDY4WAR]

How much time needs to pass for grave robbing to become archaeology? Asking for a friend.

(MOD NOTE: This is meant to be a light-hearted, but philosophical question. If you get your feelings hurt, it's because you're taking it too seriously.)

 

[Owen Lucas]

I guess it depends on who owns the property the excavations will be taking on.

If it's of a historical nature, there's probably laws around that. If you go to an abandoned cemetery, you can't just dig there if you don't own the property. Even if you did somehow own a cemetery, I doubt you could start digging for fun.

IDK if this was meant for the humor forum or if @RDY4WAR is gettign the shovel ready!

 

[kschachn]

Good question, Joe.

 

[dnewton3]

The OP meant this to be a tongue-in-cheek conversational question. A light-hearted analysis of the theory.
Moving it into the humor section.

 

[AdmiralYoda]

Good question! It also brings up the importance and historical significance of a location.

Being in New England, lets say I buy a some land where unknown, historically insignificant settlers made an attempt at building a homestead in the early 1500's. Lets say that I find some partial remains of a buried rudimentary mud/brick/wood small building. Lets also say that the remains of a few humans were found on site. I'm sure the rules say an archeologist would have to be involved but in the end of the day I'm sure excavation would eventually continue and the remains would be "put to rest" somewhere else.

Now lets say the same thing happens in Greece but what is found is 2,000 years old. Happens quite often actually. They do a proper investigation and excavation and then things eventually move on. Same story but it probably takes a bit more time.

Where it gets tricky is when it is of historical significance. For example if a previously unknown historical structure, person or wealth is discovered. Most countries have very clear laws on how to handle this and many times it is not the current property owner that gets to keep any wealth that is found. They get transferred to the government and if you are lucky you get fair market value compensation for what is found.

But in the end....what is the difference between moving a small 1600's cemetery in Massachusetts to make room for a new parking lot vs moving some aristocrats from a crypt in medieval Europe?

The difference is when things are done purely for profit without regard for the historical significance. For example lets say the year is 1900 and some expedition of men go to Egypt to break into a structure using explosives to find the wealth hidden inside. In the name of discovery and archeology they tunnel into the structure and find all the treasures and sarcophagi they hoped for....then they crate it up and bring it back to the Museum of London, leaving behind a partially destroyed historical structure.

I'd say that is where the line blurs and they crossed into grave robbing territory. Thankfully this doesn't happen as much by western civilization anymore. Still happens plenty though in many parts of the world....

 

[Bob in Utah]

Utah has prosecuted a few over the years

Not sure how far they went over the line…digging/removing artifacts

Most recent issue person was arrested for defacing a panel

Some people have no respect for history

 

[Snagglefoot]

When the rail lines were laid in the western USA and slightly later in Western Canada, thousands of small graveyards were established on settlers land. As long as an engraved headstone is left, chances are they’ll be left alone until land development requires them to be moved. Native burials with no headstones probably don’t have much luck and in fact I’ll bet the Cat operators have been instructed to ignore bones found when working for certain developers.

 

[KGMtech]

It's said that Time heals all wounds, so the issue of robbing or revealing is all about time and motivation. It is an interesting question.

 

[Pablo]

I think if archeologists (amateurs should not be there) come across something very ancient - the first people in NA (for example) - the findings should be respectfully studied. So ALL HUMANS can learn our prehistory movements.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

How much time needs to pass for grave robbing to become archaeology? Asking for a friend.

(MOD NOTE: This is meant to be a light-hearted, but philosophical question. If you get your feelings hurt, it's because you're taking it too seriously.)

Archeology involves a museum. Grave robbery does not

 

[JohnnyG]

My wife wants to be cremated.
Her reasoning is, "Someday, someone is gonna dig you up"!

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Depends on the backers what it's categorized as. We were talking with a guy at some ancient ruins in Mexico. He was trying to sell us some little carved figures saying they were authentic. No idea if they were but we told him, shouldn't these belong to a museum. His response was, why should a museum have them? They are from my ancestors. Pretty good point. It's like if the government came into your grandparents house and took what they wanted "for history"

 

[opus1]

My wife wants to be cremated.
Her reasoning is, "Someday, someone is gonna dig you up"!

This reminds me of a "Barney Miller" episode where an Indian/Native American is arrested for protesting at and stealing bones from a museum. He's in the cage when someone from the museum shows up to press charges and the Indian yells "How would you like it if someone dug up YOUR grave?" and the archeologist replies that someone probably will some day.