Artifacts
The Antiquities Act of 1906, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 prohibit the excavation, collection, or destruction of any archaeological materials (including fossils) located on lands under federal jurisdiction.
You may not collect any artifacts, ancient or historical, on public lands without a permit. This includes arrowheads or flakes, pottery or potsherds, mats, rock art, old bottles or pieces of equipment and buildings. These items are part of our national heritage and scientists are still learning much from them.
Human burial remains on both public and private land are protected by federal and state law from being collected.
Permits are given to people who meet specific qualifications. A letter from a BLM approved repository is required saying fossils or artifacts collected will be accepted. These items must be placed in the repository and cannot be kept by the collector.