Vandalism of Florida's Native American Heritage

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A poster demonstrates the important of protecting Florida's Native American Heritage sites from vandalism and theft.

Photo Credit: Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research, Tallahassee

How to be a part of the efforts to preserve Florida's Native American Heritage sites.

Florida's Native American heritage sites attract attention from many individuals and groups interested in their protection, preservation and interpretation. Unfortunately, many sites also attract unscrupulous people interested in removing artifacts for personal gain.

Sites on public and private land are systematically targeted by looters who collect or sell Native American artifacts. State land managers, archaeologists, law enforcement officers and prosecutors work together to stem this tide of destruction, which ruins both the intrinsic and scientific value of archaeological sites.

Section 267.13, Florida Statutes provides misdemeanor and felony penalties for vandalizing sites on state land. Many looters dig at night or target remote sites, making them difficult to catch. Despite this, five to 10 people are prosecuted every year. Please visit sites responsibly, leave exposed artifacts for others to observe and learn from, never dig into a site and report signs of vandalism to state law enforcement authorities.