The looting of archeological sites in the southeastern United States is on the increase. Looters will not trade monetary rewards for a preserved non-renewable resource. Data from the Southern Region of the U.S. Forest Service has been analyzed in an attempt to identify the best way to stop vandalism. Some trends were identified, their causes discussed, and necessary cures prescribed. . Vandals have been destroying cultural resources in the Southeast for many years.
Most archeologists can relate incidents of looters working alongside their own investigations.
Although allowances for such destruction were made in order to preserve some scientific data, over the years apathy has grown on the part of professional archeologists and land managers. A large population of archeological sites looters with extensive networks has resulted. Artifact trading companies have sprung up as everyday businesses, along with equipment merchants. Neither the advertisements nor articles, except for a few, make reference to the importance of cultural resources and the potential damage caused by detectors, or the need for permission from land owners or managers. The looting and vandalism of sites in the Southeast is now making headlines.