Mr. Evans:

The buying and selling of Native American artifacts is unethical and
immoral. The practice encourages the unscientific looting of
archaeological resources. If any of the artifacts come from state or
federal lands and were acquired without permit, their acquisition would be
illegal. If any of the artifacts were taken from burials without court
order or permit, their acquisition would be illegal. Should any of the
southwestern pots originate from federal lands or burials and have crossed
state lines, it would be a violation of the Archaeological Resource
Protection Act of 1980 and their acquisition would be a crime. Mr. Fifer's
connection with the Archeological Society of Virginia in no way sanctioned
any unscientific artifact acquisition.


Michael B. Barber, Ph.D., RPA
Forest Archaeologist
George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
5162 Valleypointe Parkway
Roanoke, Virginia 24019
mbarber@...