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ARTIFACT
COLLECTING – CODE OF ETHICS
The Loveland
Archaeological Society adheres to a strict Code
of Ethics that governs both our group field trips and individual
excursions.
First and foremost, all
local, state and federal laws related to the collecting of artifacts must be
obeyed. In brief, these are:
| 1. | Collecting Native
American artifacts on federal or state land is prohibited. This
includes:
|
| 2. | If human remains are discovered or suspected, local law enforcement authorities must be contacted, i.e. police, sheriff, etc. |
We would also like to
remind all members of a few points to remember in an effort to be courteous and
responsible artifact collectors. By adhering to this Code
of Ethics, we will not endanger our own chances, nor those of the
club as a whole, in being granted permission to collect surface finds on
private property.
| (a) | Do not litter. All trash should be carefully taken with us. This includes pop cans, candy and gum wrappers, tissue, sandwich bags, cigarette butts, etc. (Carelessly discarded cigarettes can and have caused expensive and dangerous fires on ranch land that does not appear as dry as it really is!) Do not leave food scraps -- egg shells, orange and banana peels, etc. Take everything you bring in back with you when you leave. |
| (b) | Respect fences, gates, cattle, landscape, vegetation, wildlife, and every part of the ranch where you are collecting. (How would you want the rancher to treat your own yard?) do not disturb the cattle, damage any fences or vegetation. Leave gates as you find them. |
| (c) | Use only your vehicle in which you reached the ranch and your own feet for transportation on the land. Do not bring bicycles, motor bikes, motorcycles or ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) for mobility or family member recreation unless you first obtain permission from the landowner. All of these items can irreparably damage the range land. Drive your vehicles only where the rancher has indicated it is acceptable. Stay on definitely visible roads for both driving and parking. Do not drive across the range land. Camp only where the rancher has indicated camping areas. The land owner should be asked about building campfires; and if these fires are permitted, follow all accepted safety measures, seeing that the fires are well attended and completely extinguished and buried. |
| (d) | Do not let your dog run wild over the property. No matter how well behaved your dog may be at home, a dog not trained in handling livestock may inadvertently cause a disturbance for the cattle, nesting birds, or other wildlife. Show consideration for the other club members where your dog is concerned. |
| (e) | If you, as an individual, obtain permission to collect on a particular site, it is your responsibility to make sure guests, either members or non-members, understand and abide by the Code of Ethics rules. |
| (f) | Let the property owner know when you expect to arrive, how long you will stay, when you expect to leave, and what type vehicle you will be driving. To the extent possible, check with the land owner as to the boundaries of the ranch and as to any federal lands (BLM or Forest Service) on the ranch. If possible, when you leave, express appreciation for being allowed to hunt on this site. Additionally, it would be courteous to follow up with a thank you note when returning home. |
| (g) | Do not dig or disturb the ground other than to extract a surface find. |
| (h) | Keep good records of where your finds were made. |
Our club is justly proud
of our reputation for consideration for the ranchers and other land owners who
permit us to collect on their land and for the responsibility we have always shown
as good collectors and good citizens.
Maintaining this reputation is the only way we can expect to be allowed
to return to any given area for future hunting or to gain approval for
collecting
in new areas.
Word gets around.
Let’s all do our individual part to uphold this Code
of Ethics in collecting that has
been part of our club for its many years of existence to ensure that we do not
endanger our own individual chances, or those of the entire club, of collecting on
any private property.