1. The Legislature finds and declares that it is of critical importance to protect archaeological sites in New Jersey to prevent their despoliation; that archaeological sites in the State have been pillaged by relic hunters; that these collectors generally dig without permission, almost always lack the technical training required to conduct scientific archaeological excavations, and seldom conduct legitimate research; and that illicit diggings have resulted in the loss of scientific data and archaeological findings that would make these sites invaluable to cultural research and to the State’s heritage, destroying irreplaceable records of human activities and history.

The Legislature therefore determines that it is in the State’s historic and cultural interests to prevent the unauthorized excavation and removal of archaeological findings from certain public lands in New Jersey.

L.2004,c.170,s.1.