Ethics - Archaeological Finds

Dilemma Poll
What to do when encountering this scenario?

Situation
You're checking out a new lead and drop in on a pretty respectable find. About half way through the discovery phase you encounter a scene of historical importance. More than just an artifact or two, it's a significant archaeological site.

(For the record, I advocate always doing the right thing in reverence to the past and leave it undisturbed.)

Let's walk through the options.
You report it. The BLM or FS loots the site, stores everything in a warehouse, and then loses the records.
You tell friends. They talk. Someone loots it.
You keep it secret. Someone else finds it. They talk. It ends up getting looted.
I'd say enjoy the moment and don't tell a soul, including your mother. Then treasure the memory and never go back to see the wreckage the looters leave behind.

If it's really, truly, significant, spend the time and trouble to find the right archaeologist to loot it. At least then the knowledge lives on. If it's in a canyon, it's probably Anasazi and unlikely to be archaeologically significant, no matter how impressive. But if it's Paleo ... it needs to be done up right.

And then the federal agency closes access to the area permanently.

Oh, yeah. I'd tell everyone, including my friends, that that particular lead didn't pan out. Totally not worth it. Dry hole.

Such cynicism, in one so young.... (sad)

True that! It's a sad day when your mother is scooping your finds.

Joking aside, I respect the distrust that sometimes exists when pulling in the "authorities". Been on both sides of that equation and the trust void is a two-way street. That said, I've had pretty good experience in the past and have found that most are willing to compromise...most. Bottom line, so long as you don't pinpoint the location before you build the relationship of trust....you hold the Ace card!

I earned it. And thanks.