Ontario Diver:
We know that artefacts on Great Lakes wrecks can last for 100s of years and we know that on ocean wrecks they may last 20 years (thanks KD)
So the question is.....
When is it OK to remove artefacts from wrecks?
Is it OK for a trained Archeologist under permit to remove an object for conservation and display in a museum?
Is it OK for the person who finds the wreck to take a souvenir?
When should items be removed by a non-permitted individual?
I'd like to add two more:
1. Is it OK for people who find artifacts inside the wrecks to bring them out to the top decks for everyone to see?
2. How do we define atrifacts? Tools, china, etc. would certainly qualify - but what about items that are part of the ship? Like wheel, anchors, figurines
My opinion - it's not OK to remove artifiacts, however, exception should be made for trained archaeologists who remove items to preserve and display. This should only apply to items that you can lift off the wreck w/o cutting, etc - so the wheels, anchors, figurines should stay where they are
While i really liked the museum at Whitefish Point (for those who do not know its history - it started when the group of amature archaeologists stripped the local wrecks of not only artifacts, but wheels, portholes, gauges, etc.), it pained me to see the wheel from Vienna displayed there - the wreck lost a huge part of its personality w/o that wheel. I wish they would at least put the replica down on the wreck
As for my other question about bringing items form inside to the top deck - i like it, since it allows me to take pics of these items w/o spending my time digging. However, at times, the items that others found and brought to the wrecks for everyone to see just disappear