1. Introduction to Archaeology and EthicsBy
Ms. Hesson

2. What is Archaeology?
The study of historic and prehistoric peoples and their cultures by looking at artifacts

3. What is an Artifact?
Any object made by humans such as a tool or the remains of one such as a pottery sherd

4. Artifact Ethics
Our nations archaeological sites are being destroyed and plundered
Scientific information is being destroyed
Native Americans lose an important part of their heritage
Large quantities of human remains, pottery rock art, and sites of habitation are being lost and important links to the past – gone forever
It is important to protect archaeological sites and artifacts

5. Examples showing destruction of artifacts
Larsen Cave near Prairie du Chien

6. Red arm with nearby damage

7. Larsen Cave, red bird with recent damage

8. Larsen Cave, looter’s pit

9. Looter’s pit

10. More destruction in Iowa County, WI
The Damage is irreversible!

11. Gottschall vandalism

12. Once the past is destroyed, early cultures can no longer be accurately dated and studied.

13. Act now to save the links to our past.

14. As a follow up to the PowerPoint presentation, I will have my students make a brochure to be put into visitor stops on the bike trail in our communities. The brochure will feature how and why to protect sites.