They are accumulations of historical information and each holds a unique story. Recreational digging is enormously destructive because much of the information stored in a site is lost when excavation proceeds unscientifically. Artifacts are removed from their location in a site and delicate materials are destroyed. Moreover, artifacts taken for private collections are lost to history. The information they contain cannot be shared with Native people, the scientific community, or the public.
Archaeological sites are a non-renewable resource.
Once disturbed, they cannot be repaired. Recreational digging is like ripping pages from a history book. It damages the site and limits interpretation. The Alutiiq Museum cannot accept artifacts collected illegally - without the permission of the landowner. This would be equivalent to accepting stolen property.