Look, but don’t take Arkansas’ artifacts

In response to an opinion piece by Curtis Varnell posted online Oct. 1 (nwaonline.com/ 1001varnell/), I would like to emphasize one of Mr. Varnell’s final comments, “Disturbing a site and removing items is not the best way to preserve our past …,” as the most important thing he shared.

While I’m sure many folks have felt the thrill of discovery, as the Arkansas state archeologist, I implore people to resist removing artifacts from where they were deposited. If you find something, take a picture but then leave the object where you found it, get a GPS location if possible and contact your local archeologist at https:// archeology.uark.edu/who-we-are/research-stations/ to see what needs to be done. If you’re afraid someone else will find the object and take it home themselves, then hide it under rocks or a tree stump. If it’s in a creek bed, throw it up on the bank away from the flood zone.

When an artifact is removed from its original context, it loses so much meaning and does not contribute to the historical record of Arkansas. Artifacts are an extremely limited and endangered resource because of looters and collectors. While it’s amazing to hold an object and know that someone a thousand years ago held the same thing, those objects represent the indigenous cultures whose descendants are disrespected every time someone removes their history for their own personal gain or entertainment.

There are also state and federal laws that prohibit removal or desecration of sites on private, state, and federal land, so stay safe and learn about the past the ethical way: check out the good work of the volunteers of the Arkansas Archeological Society at https://www.arkarch.org/. There are chapters around the state that offer talks and volunteer opportunities. The Society and the Arkansas Archeological Survey combine forces every year to offer an archeological training program to help citizens understand the process of archeological science.

Arkansas Archeology Month is in March every year and various agencies around the state put on events to teach the public more about our state’s amazing history.

Please feel free to contact me personally at mzabeck@uark.edu with any questions.

MEL ZABECKI, PH.D. Fayetteville