Pot hunting is pot hunting no matter if it is on dry land or under the sea. By diving on wrecks and removing artifacts the diver is destroying historical evidence. I think most museums frown on this type of activity.
Robin Campbell, Associate Curator
New York State Bureau of Historic Sites

-----Original Message-----
From: eireland [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2003 2:54 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: treasure hunting [student question]


A friend of mine, a diver, recently approached me about off shore treasure
diving in Florida. Usually as someone in archeaology, I am opposed to
untrained
treasure hunting because it destroys historical context, but I am not sure how
to feel about this. Isn't it already out of its historical context if it is on
the bottom of the sea? Does anyone know if objects found in this manner are
accepted by museums?

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