Archaeology and Cultural Resources
Help Protect History
Archaeological sites throughout California provide important insights and knowledge about the past that can be gained nowhere else. Removing artifacts from sites destroys the context of the site, much like tearing pages from a book. Professional archaeologists depend on finding artifacts in their original location and association to other objects, so they can accurately understand and interpret the story of that site. Ultimately, this helps us learn about little-known aspects of our past.
Cultural resources on federal lands are protected by law:
- The National Historic Preservation Act
- The Antiquities Act
- The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
- The Archaeological Resources Protection Act
How You Can Help
You can help preserve our history by leaving archaeological sites undisturbed. Report looting or vandalism to the closest Forest Service office. When making a report, ask for the District’s Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) or archaeologist. Should you discover an archaeological or historic object or site, enjoy what is there, but please do not disturb anything. Feel free to call the Tahoe National Forest Headquarters with a report of your discovery, so our Cultural Resources staff can evaluate it.
Use of Metal Detectors
Metal detectors are used by both hobbyists and professionals to look for hidden coins, pipes and other metallic objects. Help preserve the history of the Tahoe National Forest by understanding metal detector uses and permit requirements:
Treasure trove includes money, gems, precious metal coins, plate, or bullion that has been deliberately hidden with the intention of recovering it later. The search for buried treasure can involve methods that are damaging to natural and cultural resources, thus a special-use permit from the Forest Service is required. Each permit request is evaluated before such permits are granted.
The use of metal detectors to locate objects of historical or archaeological value is permitted subject to the provisions of the Archaeological Resource Protection Act of 1979 and the Secretary of Agriculture’s Regulations. This activity requires a special-use permit. Permits are only issued for legitimate research conducted by qualified professional archaeologists. Unauthorized use of metal detectors in the search for and collection of historic artifacts is a Federal violation.
The use of a metal detector to locate mineral deposits such as gold and silver on National Forest System lands is considered prospecting and is subject to the General Mining Law of 1872. Permits are not required for prospecting. However, a Plan of Operations may be required if the prospecting methods will involve ground disturbing activities.
Searching for coins of recent vintage and metal objects having no historical value as a recreational pursuit does not require a special-use permit as long as the equipment is confined to areas that do not possess historic or prehistoric resources.