Is treasure hunting illegal?
In the U.S., laws vary by state, but the general conclusion is that going treasure hunting is often a waste of time because you likely can’t keep it. The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 states that any “archaeological resources” found on the land of the state belong to the government.
Can you actually be a treasure hunter?
Buried and hidden treasure may be the stuff of legend and film, but treasure hunters exist – both professionals and hobbyists – and sometimes they do actually find something.
Is treasure hunting profitable?
The fact is, no major treasure–hunting venture has ever been profitable for investors, according to a series of academic studies. And from an archaeological point of view, there are compelling scientific and legal reasons that investments in treasure hunting won’t pay off.