First of all, do not remove anything. Disinterring (removing from a grave) or displacing part or all of any buried human remains is a Class 4 felony under Virginia law (§18.2-126). Conviction is punishable by two to ten years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines. This law applies to all human burials, whether prehistoric, historic, or modern. If you disturb or remove human remains you might also compromise a crime scene. Exposed bones may be associated with criminal activity (homicide, grave vandalism, etc.) or may otherwise require the attention of trained law enforcement personnel. If you find human bones (or even bones that appear to be human) you should leave them in place and report your find to the local or state police (www.vsp.state.va.us) immediately. The police should also be contacted if you know of graves, gravestones, cemetery fences, etc., that are being damaged or desecrated. Willful or malicious damage to cemeteries is against the law, and is punishable by one to five years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines (§18.2-127). Take photographs if you can, and contact your local law enforcement agency or Commonwealth’s Attorney to report possible vandalism to a cemetery. If you can recognize unmarked graves as an old cemetery or Native American burial, but it is not being vandalized, you don’t have to report it to anyone. The Department of Historic Resources does maintain information on old cemeteries, and we can help if you wish to make sure that someone knows about the site. Our Citizen Cemetery Recordation Form is specifically designed for use by people who are not necessarily historic resource professionals. Download the form, complete the information at your convenience, and submit it with the location clearly marked on a USGS quad map. If you need assistance completing the form, please contact our the DHR Archives at 804-482-6102. If you live outside of the Richmond area, contact your nearest DHR regional preservation office.