HMS Beagle
Jr. Member
This looks bad on all of us.
Beagle
http://www.cadillacnews.com/articles/2007/08/30/news/news03.txt
Historical items of large value stolen
By Matt Whetstone, Cadillac News
MEAUWATAKA — Normally when U.S. Forest Service Officer Patrick Wiese encounters someone seeking artifacts on federal forest land, they don’t know it’s illegal.
When an investigator encounters 200-plus holes on an old house site, odds are someone was searching for historic artifacts.
Destruction of historic sites on National Forest Land is a violation of the Archaeological Resource Protection Act and is punishable by up to $150,000 and up to a year in prison.
Wiese said his investigation, which was prompted after some Manton-area residents noticed vehicles at the Hemlock Grove Farm, is similar to most investigations.
At the site, Wiese combed the area for clues and physical evidence. The belief is that someone used a metal detector around the site and near structures to locate and dig up the artifacts.
“Then I go to my archaeologist,” Wiese said. “I need them as an expert in the field to tell me what’s disturbed, damaged and taken.”
The farm had been catalogued by archaeologists so Wiese said he knows what was taken.
“Basically, some historical items of large value,” he said.
Continued from A1.
“This particular area had been catalogued and has been studied by the archaeologist. We knew the kind of stuff that’s on site,” he said.
The farm dates back to the late 19th Century and contains a number of structures that were disturbed during the looting.
In the past, Wiese said he’s seen people on forest land with metal detectors and told them it’s a violation of the law. Many people simply don’t know, he said.
“In this case, they did a lot of damage, a lot of digging and excavating,” he said. “It’s going to be costly to repair.”
Wiese believes hand trowels, shovels and metal detectors were used.
In cases where historical artifacts are taken, he said people either add them to a personal collection or sell them for cash.
The forest service said a teal/green Ford Windstar van and gold sub-compact sedan were seen at the scene. Anyone with information should call (231) 775-2421.
Your Local Connection
History stolen
What: An old farm known as Hemlock Grove Farm was looted of historical artifacts
Suspect vehicles: Witnesses in the area saw a teal/green Ford Windstar van and a gold sub-compact vehicle in the area.
Where: The farm is located on federal forest property in Colfax Township
[email protected] | 775-NEWS (6397)
Beagle
http://www.cadillacnews.com/articles/2007/08/30/news/news03.txt
Historical items of large value stolen
By Matt Whetstone, Cadillac News
MEAUWATAKA — Normally when U.S. Forest Service Officer Patrick Wiese encounters someone seeking artifacts on federal forest land, they don’t know it’s illegal.
When an investigator encounters 200-plus holes on an old house site, odds are someone was searching for historic artifacts.
Destruction of historic sites on National Forest Land is a violation of the Archaeological Resource Protection Act and is punishable by up to $150,000 and up to a year in prison.
Wiese said his investigation, which was prompted after some Manton-area residents noticed vehicles at the Hemlock Grove Farm, is similar to most investigations.
At the site, Wiese combed the area for clues and physical evidence. The belief is that someone used a metal detector around the site and near structures to locate and dig up the artifacts.
“Then I go to my archaeologist,” Wiese said. “I need them as an expert in the field to tell me what’s disturbed, damaged and taken.”
The farm had been catalogued by archaeologists so Wiese said he knows what was taken.
“Basically, some historical items of large value,” he said.
Continued from A1.
“This particular area had been catalogued and has been studied by the archaeologist. We knew the kind of stuff that’s on site,” he said.
The farm dates back to the late 19th Century and contains a number of structures that were disturbed during the looting.
In the past, Wiese said he’s seen people on forest land with metal detectors and told them it’s a violation of the law. Many people simply don’t know, he said.
“In this case, they did a lot of damage, a lot of digging and excavating,” he said. “It’s going to be costly to repair.”
Wiese believes hand trowels, shovels and metal detectors were used.
In cases where historical artifacts are taken, he said people either add them to a personal collection or sell them for cash.
The forest service said a teal/green Ford Windstar van and gold sub-compact sedan were seen at the scene. Anyone with information should call (231) 775-2421.
Your Local Connection
History stolen
What: An old farm known as Hemlock Grove Farm was looted of historical artifacts
Suspect vehicles: Witnesses in the area saw a teal/green Ford Windstar van and a gold sub-compact vehicle in the area.
Where: The farm is located on federal forest property in Colfax Township
[email protected] | 775-NEWS (6397)
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DID THEY DIG IT ALL UP MAP IT AND REBURY IT
![:-\](https://www.treasurenet.com/smilies/undecided.gif "Undecided :-\")
