The article that Gail Tatum sent from the Richmond Times-Dispatch is indeed an interesting application of law. The argument used was that Greenbaum didn't know it was illegal to excavate a burial. To mix and mangle metaphors: "Gee, Officer, I had no idea that drinking a beer and driving at 80 mph was illegal. I do it all the time and nobody ever had a problem with it before." How much credence to you think the legal system would take of that in the real world? What's really going on here is that the issue was brought out into the open where it can be evaluated in light of the law and custom of the land. With respect to custom, many have claimed to be archaeologists. However, although I may work on my car on the weekend, I don't call myself a mechanic. I can't be a hairdresser without passing a test, but because I have participated in archaeology at some level and have a passing interest in it, then I can call myself an archaeologist? I don't think so. There is a Register of Professional Archaeologists which sets minimum standards for the profession. Any claim of archaeological legitimacy in light of that is bogus, in my view. Earlier, there had been a rash of these naked soldiers remains appearing for reburial. The remains had been deposited on the Capitol steps and were duly buried in a veterans cemetery with all SCV pomp and ceremony. As an archaeologist, I translate that as a metal detector find, stripping the body of the buttons, buckles, etc. and then moving the bones to the steps. Let's review that for state law applicability. First, at the point when it was recognized that a human burial was present, the digging should have stopped and the appropriate authorities notified. That was the first illegal action. The diggers then removed the buttons and other items from the remains. That's the second illegal action. The diggers then exhumed the remains and transported them to the steps. That's the third illegal action. The after the fact reburial with full SCV support is in my view a somewhat cynical attempt to lend legitimacy to the action. The next time one of these soldiers remains are discovered, the appropriate authorities called, and the appropriate decisions reached concerning disposition of the remains and then the actions can be called reasonable. Other than that, it's grave robbing. Another case was successfully prosecuted in Wythe County wherein some folks who called themselves archaeologists excavated human burials from a prehistoric site, removed grave goods, but did not disturb the bones. They kept some of the materials and sold some of the grave goods. They claimed to be doing it for archaeological reasons. The legal system didn't buy that one either and they were convicted. The RPA Code of Ethics forbids such action. The bottom line is that if a grave is known or suspected and it's in danger of damage, call the local police, quote the law and get them to act. Lyle To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html