SALT LAKE CITY—Two dozen people were indicted Wednesday in a sweeping federal investigation into ancient artifacts stolen from public and tribal lands in the Four Corners area.
The federal indictments unsealed Wednesday accuse the people of stealing, receiving or trying to sell artifacts including bowls, stone pipes, sandals, arrowheads, jars, hair ornaments and necklaces.
The men and women were arrested Wednesday following an investigation that lasted more than two years, said Melodie Rydalch, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Utah.
The indictments allege the crimes took place in 2007 and 2008. Dozens of items, many valued at more than $1,000, are listed in the court documents.
Charges include trafficking in stolen artifacts and theft of government or tribal property. The indictments did not specify which public or tribal lands authorities believe the items were taken from.
Kevin Jones, Utah’s state archaeologist, said looting of archaeological sites is widespread.
“There are a lot of people that will pay a lot of money for authentic Indian artifacts,” said Jones, who was not closely involved in the investigation or indictments.
Items that are taken and sold on the black market are often forever lost to researchers trying to piece together the histories of ancient people.
“These people didn’t write books. They left artifacts,” Jones said. “So this is like tearing pages out of a family history and throwing them away.”
It’s illegal to take artifacts from public or Indian lands without a permit or from private lands without permission from the landowner, Jones said.
