Native Americans have a deep belief that everything possesses a spirit. Picture this: You’re walking along the serene banks of a USACE-managed river or lake when something catches your eye, poking out of the ground. Curiosity piqued, you momentarily forget about walking and approach her. As you kneel, your fingers gently disturb the soil and after a little digging, you uncover an arrowhead. The excitement builds as you think about how amazing it will be to share this treasure with friends and family. You pocket it, convinced that since it’s just an arrowhead—and there’s definitely more where it came from—it’s harmless to bring home. But in reality, you may be upsetting something much more significant.

“When someone digs up and loots these artifacts, they take away part of our heritage. These objects are created with a spirit and a purpose; they have significant meaning,” said Casandra Beaver, a member of the Navajo Nation and Administrative Assistant for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District.

The excavation and theft of artifacts and remains from historic and prehistoric Native American archaeological sites is a serious problem that disrespects cultural heritage and threatens invaluable historical knowledge.

Theft and vandalism of these sites, especially on government property, is a growing concern that requires urgent action. Every artifact carries a story, a connection to the past, and taking them away diminishes our understanding of history. It is essential that we respect these sites and preserve their integrity for future generations.

Many people may not realize that digging up artifacts is not only illegal, but deeply disrespectful as it can disturb human burials and sacred sites.

“Just as it is unacceptable to search for artifacts in a cemetery or steal sacred objects from a church altar, we must point out that the same unethical methods are used to obtain pottery, woven goods, jewelry, arrowheads, knives and even human remains. that some looters choose to display in their collections,” said Billie Burtrum, tribal historic preservation officer for the Quapaw. The nation. “The Quapaw Nation fully supports the prosecution of looting and grave robbing, as these actions violate cultural heritage and displace the historical significance of the items taken.”

Additionally, searching for artifacts on private property without the landowner’s permission is equally unacceptable. This practice undermines the trust and respect owed to landowners and diminishes the personal and cultural significance of the land and its potential archaeological resources.

There are state laws for prosecuting trespassers on private land, emphasizing the seriousness of such actions.

In response to this growing problem, the USACE Little Rock District is forming strategic partnerships with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to raise awareness and intensify efforts to combat the alarming increase in robbery incidents.

This collaborative initiative not only aims to increase investigations aimed at deterring individuals from targeting artifacts on government land, but also emphasizes the importance of pursuing convictions to highlight the seriousness of the problem.

“Archaeological sites are not just made up of individual artifacts; they consist of interconnected artifacts and the soil matrix that surrounds them, which together tell the story of the past,” said Dr. Melissa Zabecki, state archaeologist for the Arkansas Archeological Survey. “When an artifact is removed, not only is a sacred object stolen, but the integrity of the entire site is compromised because a crucial piece of the puzzle is taken away and valuable information from the soil is disrupted.”

Unfortunately, public lands in Arkansas and Missouri have a troubling history of cultural resource exploitation. To counter that trend, Little Rock District Archaeologist Allen Wilson teamed up with Capt. Brandon Bland, who oversees the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of Arkansas Refuge Enforcement, to provide training to the force of order focused on identifying the places of theft and understanding the legality. cases where they refer to cultural resources.

“We are extremely proud of our cultural resources training program and the dedication of USACE, AGFC and USFWS training staff who make it successful,” said Bland.

Over the years, this program has led to increased investigative interest and law enforcement involvement at both the state and federal levels. In particular, during a recent training session, an officer detected a violation of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act on USACE land, which was promptly reported to the USFWS and AGFC.

Violators of these laws face severe penalties, including potential prison terms of up to five years without parole and fines of up to $250,000. Excavating and selling artifacts for profit not only undermines ethical standards, but also shows a profound disregard for the irreplaceable nature of our cultural resources.

“Prehistoric archaeological sites are no longer being created,” Wilson said. “When areas like these are destroyed or artifacts removed, we lose invaluable information about the cultures of these regions. Our resources for understanding this history are already limited, making preservation essential.”

As these agencies grapple with the pressing problem of theft and vandalism at historic sites, it is imperative that we recognize the cultural significance of these artifacts and the critical need for their protection. Illegal activities associated with artifact theft include the unauthorized excavation of archaeological objects—such as tools, pottery, and burial remains—whether the site is on government or private land.

Taking artifacts from their original locations violates laws such as the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and state regulations, which exist to protect the integrity of archaeological sites and Native American graves.

Actively seeking and collecting artefacts with the intention of selling or displaying them constitutes looting and undermines cultural heritage.

“Destroying the site has taken far too long, and it’s time to start respecting other peoples’ history by ending the practice of looting,” said Dr. Zabecki.

By raising awareness of these illegal activities and emphasizing the importance of cultural preservation and law enforcement, communities can play a crucial role in protecting our shared heritage for future generations.