In the United States, it is legal to collect artifacts from private property if you have written permission from the landowner. Other requirements are dependent on the state. If you are interested in collecting or metal detecting on private property, contact your State Historic Preservation Office for more information.

Is it illegal to keep ancient artifacts?

Archaeological artifacts are internationally protected by the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and their circulation is prohibited by the UNESCO Convention (1970) on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of

What to do if you find an archaeological artifact on your property?

Please dont 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. Step back and photograph the artifact with a landmark.

What do you do if you find an artifact?

0:092:03Bonus - What Do You Do with a Found Artifact? | History - YouTubeYouTube

Do archaeologists get paid for what they find?

Job Concentration and Outlook The BLS reports that the state employing the most archaeologists in 2019 is California, where the average annual salary for archaeologists is $69,890. Having an advanced archaeologist education and experience can boost job prospects.