Profiling archaeological offenders

The looting of antiquities from archaeological sites on public lands has been a problem for as long as there have been public lands managed by governments for the public good. In the USA, there is a significant, well-documented and ongoing problem with archaeological sites on public lands being damaged or destroyed through the pursuit of obtaining archaeological objects. In New Zealand, the quantity and diversity of artifact assemblages is not as great as in the USA. This is because the period of human presence is much shorter, and the country is much smaller and thereby the volume and diversity of 'collectable' archaeological remains is smaller. However, while not documented as thoroughly, there is still an equally strong appeal and scope for collecting both pre and post-European archaeological artifacts as is in the USA.