CBS 5 Report on Looting

Okay, so I just finished watching CBS 5's report about looting and archaeological site damage. They headlined it as "Grave Robbers."
They talked about the tourist draw versus "macabre crime scene" in the Tonto NF. It seems odd that these folks have never heard of the pothunting epidemic in Arizona. Tammy Leitner appears to have never been in a backcountry ruin - Morgan Lowe perhaps has. There were some nice plainware sherds, and some serious tunneling under a wall by looters.
They interviewed 3 TNF Law Enforcement Officers and archaeologists. They explained how painted ware is the most valuable, and found primarily in graves. The TNF archaeologist talked about how looting for pots is a form of grave robbery. It is unclear, despite the archaeologist talking about disturbing human remains, if they came across any bones. They probably wouldn't show it on the news even if they had, however.
One interesting point made was that pothunting increases when the economy tanks (which also is when protection drops as well). The claim was made that dozens of sites have been looted. I think you can probably go much higher with that number. If only a couple dozen sites on the TNF have been looted, I will eat my hat.
As volunteers, we need to do everything we can to protect these sites - not just in the TNF. I'm looking at a serious site patrol day up here soon. I hope that others join me across the state and make the statement that we aren't going to let looters ruin our ruins!

Site Damage on CBS

If you are in Arizona and get the Phoenix news, CBS 5 is having an investigative report about looters damaging our cultural resources. Will watch and provide a review. Too bad they didn't see fit to contact AAI for the story... :-S