Found Artifacts at Home? Do This First

If you discover archaeological artifacts while digging, renovating, or gardening on your property, stop work immediately and contact your state or provincial historic preservation office. The law generally protects archaeological sites on public land, but private property rules vary widely by country and region, so your next steps depend on where you live.

Formula

The calculator above gives a rough significance score (0–100) for a find, based on depth and estimated age. The formula is:

Significance = min(100, (depth in cm × 1.5) + (age in years ÷ 50))

• Depth (d) – how deep the artifact was buried, in centimeters. Deeper usually means older, but soil disturbances can mix layers.
• Age (a) – your best estimate of the artifact’s age in years (e.g., 500 years for a colonial coin, 2,000 for a Roman shard).
• Significance – a 0–100 score that helps you gauge how much professional attention the find might warrant. It is a heuristic, not a legal or scientific measure.

The score is capped at 100 because beyond that, the find is clearly significant enough to warrant professional consultation regardless of the exact number.

Worked Example

Using the default values: depth = 30 cm, age = 500 years.

1. Depth contribution: 30 × 1.5 = 45
2. Age contribution: 500 ÷ 50 = 10
3. Sum: 45 + 10 = 55
4. Since 55 < 100, the score is 55.

So a 500-year-old object buried 30 cm deep gets a significance score of 55 out of 100 – moderate, worth reporting to a local archaeologist.

Why the Law Matters

Archaeological artifacts are not just old objects; they are pieces of the human story. Laws protect them because removing an artifact from its context (the soil, the surrounding objects, the exact position) destroys information that can never be recovered. In the United States, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) of 1979 protects artifacts on federal and Indian lands, but it does not apply to private property. However, many states have their own laws that extend protection to private land, especially for burial sites or human remains. In the UK, the Treasure Act 1996 requires that certain finds (gold, silver, or groups of coins) be reported to the coroner within 14 days, regardless of where they were found. In Canada, each province has its own Heritage Act; for example, Ontario’s requires reporting any artifact over 250 years old. Always check local regulations before doing anything else.

First Steps on Private Property

If you are on your own land, you are generally allowed to own what you find, but you still have responsibilities. Follow these steps:

1. Stop digging – Do not remove the artifact or continue excavating. The surrounding soil may contain more clues.
2. Photograph in place – Take clear photos of the artifact as you found it, including a ruler or coin for scale. Also photograph the surrounding area.
3. Note the location – Mark the exact spot with a GPS or a physical marker. Record the depth and what you were doing when you found it.
4. Keep it safe – If you must move it (e.g., to prevent theft), place it in a clean, dry container. Do not wash it – washing can remove residues that scientists can analyze.
5. Contact the authorities – Call your state/provincial historic preservation office, local museum, or university archaeology department. They will tell you what to do next.

What About Human Remains?

If you find human bones, stop all work and contact local law enforcement immediately. In most jurisdictions, human remains are protected by specific laws, and disturbing them is a felony. Even if you suspect the remains are ancient, treat them as a crime scene until authorities say otherwise. In the US, Native American remains are additionally protected under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) on federal and tribal lands, and many states have similar laws for private land. Do not touch, move, or clean any bones – just document the location and call.

How to Choose Who to Contact

Not every artifact needs a full archaeological excavation. Use your judgment and the significance score from the calculator. For a single coin or a pottery shard that is clearly not part of a larger site, a phone call to a local museum or a state archaeologist is enough. They may ask for photos and a location, and they might ask you to bring it in for identification. For a cluster of artifacts, a structural feature like a foundation, or anything that suggests a buried site, you should contact a professional archaeologist. They can conduct a survey and, if needed, an excavation. If you are in the UK, report treasure finds to the local Finds Liaison Officer. In the US, the state historic preservation office (SHPO) can direct you to the right person.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

One common mistake is washing artifacts to “clean them up.� That can destroy residues, pollen, or even DNA that scientists use to understand the past. Another is digging further to see if there is more – this can destroy the context of the entire site. A widespread misconception is that all artifacts on your property belong to you. In many places, the state claims ownership of “antiquities� or “heritage objects� even if found on private land. For example, in Italy, all archaeological objects are state property, and finders are entitled to a reward but not ownership. In the US, individual states vary – some claim ownership of artifacts found on private land, while others leave it to the landowner. Always check your local laws.

Costs and Alternatives

Professional archaeological assessment can be expensive – a survey can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, and a full excavation even more. However, many state and provincial programs offer free or low-cost identification services. If you cannot afford a professional, you can still report the find and ask for advice. Some universities have public outreach programs that will examine artifacts for free. As an alternative, you can keep the artifact and document it yourself, but you lose the scientific value and risk legal trouble if the find is protected. The best approach is to cooperate with authorities – you might even get a reward, as in the UK, where treasure finds are valued by a panel and the finder receives the full market value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to report an artifact found in my backyard?

It depends on where you live. In the UK, the Treasure Act requires reporting certain items within 14 days. In the US, there is no federal law for private land, but many states have reporting requirements for specific types of finds, especially human remains or burial goods. Even if not legally required, reporting is encouraged because it helps archaeologists understand the past.

Can I sell an artifact I found on my property?

If you legally own the artifact, you can sell it, but you may need a permit or provenance documentation. Many countries restrict the sale of cultural goods, especially if they are considered national treasures. Check local laws before offering it for sale.

What if I find something on public land?

On federal land in the US, you must not disturb any archaeological site without a permit. Leave the artifact in place and report it to the land management agency (e.g., BLM, Forest Service). On state or local public land, similar rules apply – it is generally illegal to remove artifacts.

How do I know if an object is an artifact?

Artifacts are objects made or modified by humans. Look for signs of shaping, wear patterns, or materials not natural to the area. A flint flake with sharp edges, a piece of pottery with a glaze, or a metal coin are obvious examples. If you are unsure, a local archaeologist can help identify it.

What should I do if I find a fossil?

Fossils are not artifacts, but they may be protected by separate laws. On public land, collecting vertebrate fossils is often illegal. On private land, you generally own them, but it is wise to report significant finds to a paleontologist. The same principle applies: document, don’t disturb, and contact an expert.

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in d | Depth of find (cm) | cm | 30 | 0 | 200
in a | Approx. age (years) | years | 500 | 0 | 10000
out score | Significance score | - | min(100, d * 1.5 + a / 50) | 0