To ANYONE who thinks it's permissible to enter private property to find
relics, with or without permission, I'd like to observe that such action
deprives the world of the knowledge that might be gained by a professional
archaeological study of such sites.  That alone ought to be compelling to
anyone who is seriously collecting "in the name of history."

----------
> From: Robert T. Handy <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [Fwd: Pot hunters]
> Date: Monday, November 03, 1997 11:43 AM
>
> Would anyone like to provide me a little assistance with this barrage of
> E-mail I am receiving?  A local emailed me last week wanting assistance
> from the museum in accessing private, former plantation sites so that he
> could hunt for relics with his metal detector.  I responded with an
> explanation that we don't provide assistance to "pothunters."  I
> attempted to explain that removing relics from a site to bolster private
> collections or make money through flea marketing was not something
> legitimate museums and archaeologists look kindly on.  I am now being
> bombarded by pothunters from all over the country.  Time to rally our
> forces.  If anyone cares to join the fracas, you will be welcomed.
>
> Bob Handy
> Brazoria County Historical Museum
> Angleton, Texas
> www.bchm.org
>