Preventing looting and vandalism of archaeological sites in the Pacific Northwest (Alaska, Washington, Oregon)

The looting and vandalism of archaeological sites is a serious threat to cultural heritage in Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. Although archaeologists and others have long recognized the problem, no previous study has attempted to quantify either the proportion of sites that have been affected or the cultural, geographic, and economic factors thought to contribute to looting and vandalism. In this study, I divide the Pacific Northwest into 17 regions, and estimate the proportion of looted and vandalized sites in each region. The estimates are then statistically correlated with nine potentially contributing factors. Major strategies for combating looting and vandalism are reviewed, including law enforcement approaches, educational programs, and community involvement. I then offer recommendations for decreasing looting activity, based on the results of geostatistical analysis and the review of site protection strategies, for the Pacific Northwest as a whole and for each region within it.; As will be revealed, quantitative analysis was hampered by poor data quality and availability. Estimates of the proportion of looted or vandalized sites are likely far too low. Nevertheless, results indicated that different factors are correlated with looting and vandalism activity in each of the three states. My review of site protection strategies suggests that multi-dimensional educational programs should be used across the Pacific Northwest, and that the participation of Native American organizations promotes the success of cultural resource protection efforts. For each region, implementing a combination of law enforcement, educational methods and site monitoring designed to address the area's unique characteristics should result in decreased looting and vandalism. Gathering more systematic data on looting and vandalism activity in the future will allow more detailed recommendations.; These results must be considered preliminary, given data problems. Improving the quantity and quality of information on looting will be time-consuming and logistically difficult. Accurate assessments, though, are required to address this on-going threat to cultural heritage. With this study, I offer an incentive to begin improving data by demonstrating the potential of quantitative analysis and evaluating how the quality of information on looting can be improved.