Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979
The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (
ARPA was launched in the 1970s after applications of the Antiquities Act of 1906 were declared "unconstitutionally vague". The Antiquities Act was unable to protect historical sites from criminal looting. Several attempts by the federal land-managing agencies and prosecutors to use this act resulted in judges saying that provisions regarding criminal prosecution were unconstitutionally vague making it unenforceable.[2] ARPA regulates access to archaeological resources on federal and Native American lands. Uniform regulations were issued by the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Department of Defense. Archaeological resources are defined as "any material remains of human life or activities which are at least 100 years of age, and which are archaeological interest."[3] ARPA also defines "of archaeological interest" as "capable of providing scientific or humanistic understandings of past human behavior, cultural adaption, and related topics."[3] ARPA forbids anyone from excavating or removing archaeological resources from federal or Native American land without a permit from a land managing agency. ARPA also forbids any sales, purchase, exchange, transport, or receipt. Those who violate can face substantial fines and even a jail sentence if convicted, and any relevant archaeological resources will be confiscated.
See also
- National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
References
- Berkeley Electronic Press.
- ISBN 9780816525614.
- ^ ISBN 9780759121751.