Comments on: FBI Nabs Pot Hunters (Archaeology)

By: llewelly

llewelly — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:41:11 +0000

Hatch and Bennett have always behaved as if Utah has unlimited resources – unlimited coal, unlimited gas, unlimited uranium, unlimited petroglyphs, and unlimited pots to steal. These two devoutly believe that everything here on earth is put here for the taking by the strongest takers. Furthermore – as devout Mormons, they have no respect whatever for archaeology, which raises uncomfortable questions about where the Nephites and Lamenites got their horses, elephants, and camels, how they kept them domesticated from 600 BCE to 400 ACE without leaving any evidence, how Lehi and his allies crossed the Pacific Ocean …

By: Jadehawk

Jadehawk — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:06:26 +0000

my inner archaeologist is screaming “serves them thieves right”

my inner anti-authoritarian is screaming “overkill!!!”

I think the inner archaeologist might be winning…

By: John Moeller

John Moeller — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:34:59 +0000

The attitude of the residents interviewed in the article is pretty common throughout the whole state. Many people that I know think that it’s acceptable and fun to take these things home.

Additionally, I don’t trust Hatch or Bennett any farther than I can throw them.

By: Bodach

Bodach — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:09:13 +0000

When I was working on digs we hated pot hunters. Grabbing an artifact out of any site minimizes the history and relevance of that piece and makes it just a trophy.
Certainly not an action worthy of suicide, though, unless his actions were egregious. Want to dig pots? Many archeologists would welcome volunteers.