Ocaliman
Full Member
Definition of "Artifact" in Florida
I know this dead horse has been beaten beyond recognition, but I still haven't found the official Florida historical definition of what an "Artifact" is. Since the Isolated Finds program has been discontinued, we no longer have any protection from self-serving archaeologists in Tallahassee who can, at their discretion, claim that anything found on the bottom of any public body of water in the state of Florida that is 50 years old or older can, in fact be classified as an artifact. Obviously, arrowheads, spearpoints, pottery, and other obvious NA artifacts fall under this protocol. However, a Roosevelt dime and a Washington quarter minted in the year 1957, found at a local swimming hole can send you to jail. It is also possible that your detector, your truck, your boat (if you used one to get to the swimming hole) and any other equipment you used to find that Rosie will be forfeited and confiscated.
Now, until the Isolated Finds program is reinstated, I can live with leaving an arrowhead on the bottom of the lake. But there have to be limitations to what can be considered an "artifact". All I am asking for is a fair and reasonable definition of what I can and cannot pick up off the bottom of the lake. I want to be able to continue to practice the hobby I love, without worrying about taking a trip to jail for picking up an old Coca Cola bottle off the bottom of the lake. We, as members of this hobby finally need to stand up and be counted.
I know this dead horse has been beaten beyond recognition, but I still haven't found the official Florida historical definition of what an "Artifact" is. Since the Isolated Finds program has been discontinued, we no longer have any protection from self-serving archaeologists in Tallahassee who can, at their discretion, claim that anything found on the bottom of any public body of water in the state of Florida that is 50 years old or older can, in fact be classified as an artifact. Obviously, arrowheads, spearpoints, pottery, and other obvious NA artifacts fall under this protocol. However, a Roosevelt dime and a Washington quarter minted in the year 1957, found at a local swimming hole can send you to jail. It is also possible that your detector, your truck, your boat (if you used one to get to the swimming hole) and any other equipment you used to find that Rosie will be forfeited and confiscated.
Now, until the Isolated Finds program is reinstated, I can live with leaving an arrowhead on the bottom of the lake. But there have to be limitations to what can be considered an "artifact". All I am asking for is a fair and reasonable definition of what I can and cannot pick up off the bottom of the lake. I want to be able to continue to practice the hobby I love, without worrying about taking a trip to jail for picking up an old Coca Cola bottle off the bottom of the lake. We, as members of this hobby finally need to stand up and be counted.
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