Federal and state laws protect archaeological remains on public lands. These laws are important for preserving our national and state heritage. Unfortunately, there are people who discover these sites, excavate the artifacts, and sell them for personal gain. These people are called "pot hunters."

This script is a fictional trial of a Mr. Pete Anderson who was accused of illegally taking archeological artifacts from public land. During a "sting" operation that had been organized to catch and prosecute "pot hunters" he tried to sell ancient pottery to a state investigator. One piece of evidence used in the trial is genetic information from modern plant remains that were found inside one of the pots. This activity includes a transcript of the trial and the evidence.

• View the evidence
• Read the court records

Funding provided by a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Precollege Science Education Initiative for Biomedical Research Institutions Award (Grants 51000125, 51000176)