Is it a crime to sell Native American artifacts? (2024)

Is it a crime to sell Native American artifacts?

It is illegal to offer or display for sale, or sell, any art or craft product in a manner that falsely suggests it is Indian produced, an Indian product, or the product of a particular Indian or Indian tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization, resident within the United States.

It is illegal and unethical to collect artifacts on public lands. Artifacts include anything made or used by humans including arrowheads and flakes, pottery, basketry, rock art, bottles, coins, metal pieces, and even old cans. Collecting artifacts disrupts the archaeological record.

Q: Is it legal to buy and sell Native American artifacts? A: Yes, as long as the items were found in accordance with state and federal laws, they are completely legal to buy, sell, and trade.

Leave It Be

Leave the artifact where you found it. Please don't pick it up, move it, throw it, put it in your pocket or your bag, or bury it.

It is illegal to offer or display for sale, or sell, any art or craft product in a manner that falsely suggests it is Indian produced, an Indian product, or the product of a particular Indian or Indian tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization, resident within the United States.

Under U.S. law, archaeological materials that are taken from federal or Indian lands without a permit are unlawful. Ancient objects that are found on private land are legal for individuals to own under NAGPRA, although these objects could (very rarely) be subject to a civil claim of superior title by a tribe.

❖ What should I do if I find (Native American) human remains? First, you should immediately stop the activity that exposed the remains. Secure the location of the remains to ensure that they are not further disturbed or damaged. Coroner.

If it's on your property, it's yours to keep. Unless you sign a contract with a government agency, archaeologists, or educational institution which allows the other party to excavate on your property and keep the artifacts that are found, the artifacts are your property.

Once you have arrowheads, you can go about selling them a few different ways. You can sell them to ancient artifact buyers, use a website that fosters the sale of authentic ancient artifacts or sell them on your own through an online store or at an artifact event.

5. While it's legal to own artifacts, it's illegal to buy, sell, trade, import, or export burial, sacred or cultural objects, and other historical artifacts that were obtained by violating laws against digging on sites, collecting on public lands without a permit, or disturbing graves.

Where can I sell my artifacts?

Arrowheads.com is the premier place to sell arrowheads and unwanted Indian artifact collections. With access to the best authenticators in the hobby, we are sure to offer you top dollar for your unwanted artifacts. You want to sell. Arrowheads . com buys!

Today the market for archaeological artifacts is a lucrative one, particularly for pieces still in good condition. As Antiques Road Show appraiser Bruce Shackelford puts it, “there's a large market for Indian artifacts in the decorator crowd.” This popularity isn't limited to the United States.

While most arrowheads aren't worth much, some of them are worth a fortune. Clovis points are worth more due to their rarity. While other arrowheads made in recent centuries are easy to find, Clovis arrowheads are much harder to come across. Therefore, when found, they can sell hundreds or thousands of dollars.

If the shape of the item looks like it has been altered for human use, it may be an Indian artifact. Examine the material of the item to compare to known Indian tribes or commonly used materials from the area of the previous inhabitants.

"Pieces that have once sold for $50 now sell for thousands, or tens of thousands of dollars," Shackelford says. "There's a large market for Indian artifacts in the decorator crowd. A lot of people who grew up with little Anasazi bowls on the coffee table now want bigger bowls to fill up large Southwest-style houses."

A museum may transfer an object to another museum or sell it, but if a deaccessioned object is sold, museum professional ethics require the proceeds from the sale be used only to acquire new objects for the collection or provide direct care of the collection.

❖ What should I do if I find (Native American) human remains? First, you should immediately stop the activity that exposed the remains. Secure the location of the remains to ensure that they are not further disturbed or damaged. Coroner.

If it's on your property, it's yours to keep. Unless you sign a contract with a government agency, archaeologists, or educational institution which allows the other party to excavate on your property and keep the artifacts that are found, the artifacts are your property.

Is it legal to own pre Columbian artifacts?

It is against the law of the United States to bring most pre-Columbian art into this country. Maya pottery from the Peten area is especially illegal. When tempted to buy antiquities in Central America all kinds of tall tales will be given to encourage you to buy.

The collection of artifacts or digging on archeological sites is illegal without a permit.

Arrowheads.com is the premier place to sell arrowheads and unwanted Indian artifact collections. With access to the best authenticators in the hobby, we are sure to offer you top dollar for your unwanted artifacts. You want to sell.

5. While it's legal to own artifacts, it's illegal to buy, sell, trade, import, or export burial, sacred or cultural objects, and other historical artifacts that were obtained by violating laws against digging on sites, collecting on public lands without a permit, or disturbing graves.

Today the market for archaeological artifacts is a lucrative one, particularly for pieces still in good condition. As Antiques Road Show appraiser Bruce Shackelford puts it, “there's a large market for Indian artifacts in the decorator crowd.” This popularity isn't limited to the United States.