A Grave Situation: Protecting the Deceased and Their Final Resting Places from Destruction

Our ancestors’ burial sites are in danger of being destroyed, and that means we could lose valuable information about how they lived. These sites are important because they help us understand our past and our way of life today. If we don’t protect them, we could lose irreplaceable knowledge about our history. It’s up to all of us to make sure these sites are preserved for future generations. In Florida, there are laws to protect archaeological sites and artifacts. If you find artifacts on private property, they belong to the landowner. If you find them on state-owned land, they belong to the state. But if you find isolated artifacts in certain parts of Florida rivers and report them to the state, you can keep them. It’s important to get permission before searching for artifacts on someone else’s property, and taking artifacts without permission is considered theft. Human remains and artifacts associated with burials are protected, no matter who owns the property.

Florida has enacted laws to preserve its cultural heritage, including funding and public access to archaeological sites, protecting unmarked human remains, and acquiring properties of archaeological significance.

Source: https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/a-grave-situation-protecting-the-deceased-and-their-final-resting-places-from-destruction/