Archaeologists prefer to excavate graves. The study of human remains from an archaeological site can provide important details about the diet and health of a population. However, such excavations are delicate and time consuming, as is the conservation and disposition of the remains after their recovery. For these reasons, as well as respect for cultural sensitivities regarding deceased ancestors, archaeologists think carefully before unearthing a burial. In addition, federal laws protect the graves of Native Americans.
Archaeologists get to keep any artifacts that they find.
Professional archaeologists do not keep, buy, sell, or trade any artifacts. They believe that objects recovered from a site should be kept together as a collection to be available for future study or display. By law, artifacts recovered from federal or state lands belong to the public and must be maintained on behalf of the public. The importance of artifacts is not their supposed monetary value, rather than information. They provide for learning about past societies.