Archaeological Resources Protection Act of North Carolina (North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 70, Article 2)

The purpose of this Act is to protect archaeological resources on state lands. Major points of the law are as follows:

• Archaeological resources are material remains of past human activities that are at least 50 years old and are of archaeological interest, including pottery, bottles, weapons, tools, structures, rock art, or graves.
• Permits are required in order to conduct archaeological work on state lands.
• Information about where archaeological sites are located can be kept confidential in order to protect sites from vandalism and looting.
• All illegally obtained artifacts and any equipment and vehicles used while violating this law are subject to forfeiture.

Prohibitions and penalties under the law are as follows:

• No person may excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface any archaeological resource located on state-owned land without a permit.
• No person may sell, purchase, exchange, transport, or receive any archaeological resource taken from state-owned lands in violation of the law.
• Any person who knowingly violates the law shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $2,000 or be imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
• Each day on which a violation occurs shall be a distinct offense.
• Civil penalties may also be assessed against any person who violates the provisions of the act.