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- What were you doing out there on Highway 61?
- Why did you dig there?
- Where is the site?
- Who lived there?
- What happens after the digging?
- What is archaeology?
- What is it like to work on a field crew?
- What is it like to work in the lab?
- Are there laws that protect archaeological sites?
- Ask a Native American about tribal history, archaeology, and more
- Who can I contact for more information?
- Special pages for students
- Special pages for teachers
- Special pages for archaeologists
Answering your questions
‘Are there laws that protect archaeological sites?’
Yes, in many cases archaeological sites are protected by law. For instance, Federal laws require that when the Federal Highway Administration provides funds to the Georgia Department of Transportation to widen Highways 61 and 113 in Cartersville, Georgia, important archaeological sites like the Leake Site must be avoided or if that is not feasible, scientifically studied. Federal law also protects archaeological sites on the public lands of National Parks, National Forests, and Corps of Engineers' lakes like nearby Lake Allatoona.
Georgia laws protect all cemeteries including Native American grave sites on public or private lands. Archaeological sites on state owned lands like State Parks, State Historic Sites, and DNR Wildlife Management Areas are protected and no artifact collecting is allowed. Bartow County, Georgia has a zoning ordinance in place that protects Native American archaeological sites within the boundaries of the Etowah River Valley Historic District.
There is additional information on the laws regarding archaeological sites at the Georgia Council of American Indian Concerns and the Georgia Historic Preservation Division websites.
