Show Law Lam Protests Protects Ancient Ruins Just ont one rock from old Fort Piute's silent walls one would say would certainly make an interesting conversation piece for Cor the den Dont Don't take it it Uncle Sam has hasa a law for the preservation of American antiquities and it applies specifically to any his tonic tork or prehistoric ruin or mon mon- monument or any object of anti situated on lands owned or controlled by the Govern Govern- Government ment of the United States The public lands of the West abound in examples of early earlyman's earlyman's mans man's art manufacturing pro pro- processes processes and everyday living ha- ha habits ha bits The Government wants to preserve and protect these antI antI- antIquities for the pleasure of all the people now and tomorrow In place not in someone's den Many J sites lie unguarded on public land Many probably still are arc undiscovered To explore the mountains and deserts would uncover evidence of a now dead evidence civilization not before glimpsed by modern man And wouldn't that old jar look wonderful on the mantel over the fireplace in the family room And that tiny piece of the cliff containing the petro petro- what glyphs a gem for the rock garden out by the pool Dont Don't even enn consider it it the sites and artifacts lie unguarded on public domain lands they are arc not unprotected The Congress on June 8 1906 recognizing the need to protect these priceless relics enacted the Antiquities Law Any person who appropriates excavates injures or destroys any of these objects without proper permission is subject to a fine of not more than or lm for not more than 90 days or both And proper permission re- re referred re erred to in the Antiquities Act Actis Actis is not easy to obtain Permission ion for the examination of oC ruins the excavation of archaeological al sites and the gathering or of articles of antiquity may be granted by the Secretary of the Department of the having jurisdiction over the area Secretary of Agriculture for National Forest lands Sec of the Interior for pub lie lic lands etc But permits are arc gr granted a only for the benefit of reputable museums universitIes Ies colleges or other recognized ed scientific or educational in- in institutions in with a view to in creasing the knowledge of oC such objects The Act further pro pro- I idl vides that any objects so gatho gath I ern ered shall be preserved in a public museum Regulations provide that in addition to arrest fine and and or or imprisonment the articles tak tak- taken en without a permit may be seized wherever found and at any time Authorized personnel of the Departments of Agriculture ture or the Interior ma may cause the arrest of persons violating this law Does all this mean one can can- cannot not nat enjoy this heritage from Cram the past Certainly not Many of the sites have been designated ed as Historical L or National Monuments Others are marked on maps or set aside b by designation nation b by the agency concerned These are arc to examine and wonder at to see and admire but they must he left as they are arc found to be enjoyed b by those who ill come later So who knows you ou may some someday someday day wander upon your Our own private vale vate undiscovered prehistoric site If you do look at it enjoy it photograph it and report it to the nearest Government office of the agency responsible for Cor the land But leave it undisturbed |