In theory, the Indian nations retain a residual sovereignty within the U.S. as a result of massive abuse, various legislation has been passed to protect their burial grounds, artifacts, hunting, fishing, and water rights. As resources dry up in the Western U.S., there is increasing pressure to renegotiate resource rights. The Indians view our archeological expeditions as basically desecration of their history and religion. They take a pretty hard line stance against such activities. The Department of Interior is involved in its oversight authority over the Indian nations, and the Army Corps of engineers is involved by virtue of its construction of the damns and irrigation systems that make life out west possible (but also make possible the American settlements that put pressure on Indian resources). Those departments have enough to deal with without siding with some archeologists against the Indian tribes.
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In theory, the Indian nations retain a residual sovereignty within the U.S. as a result of massive abuse, various legislation has been passed to protect their burial grounds, artifacts, hunting, fishing, and water rights. As resources dry up in the Western U.S., there is increasing pressure to renegotiate resource rights. The Indians view our archeological expeditions as basically desecration of their history and religion. They take a pretty hard line stance against such activities. The Department of Interior is involved in its oversight authority over the Indian nations, and the Army Corps of engineers is involved by virtue of its construction of the damns and irrigation systems that make life out west possible (but also make possible the American settlements that put pressure on Indian resources). Those departments have enough to deal with without siding with some archeologists against the Indian tribes.