I am a bit torn on the idea that artifacts shouldn't be moved unless by an archeologist. An archeologist can learn a lot about a culture from artifacts in plac

I am a bit torn on the idea that artifacts shouldn't be moved unless by an archeologist. An archeologist can learn a lot about a culture from artifacts in place in the strata but not nearly as much from moved artifacts. However, in the US anything older than 50 years is protected by law as "historical" which I find ridiculous. Legally I am not permitted to pick up a 1970s soda can found in the woods because it is historical trash. I am of the mind that if I find something cool on the ground I am going to take it. If I don't somebody else will. All of the archeological sites we have today are what is left after millennia of people taking what they found. Life is too short to follow all the rules.