What the PAS in the USA Would be "For"

Tekkie-loving archaeology graduate Lisa McIntyre (February 4, 2014 at 8:30 pm enthuses about setting up a PAS-like scheme in the USA.

The voluntary idea is great. I would be curious as to how many would participate. I especially like the idea of using a university as the repository for those who wish to donate finds. Students could be utilized to organize inventory and documentation.

She seems to think the PAS gathers finds rather than information about them, but then has already expressed a lack of intellectual curiosity about what it is the real PAS does, or about why dealers' lobbyist Peter Tompa is so keen on the idea of PAS. She's a fresh graduate, knows it all, you see. Meanwhile detectorist pal Stout has other problems (February 6, 2014 at 9:16 am):

Have been thinking about the college idea and wondered if detectorists would be protected under such a plan. i.e., could their finds be confiscated or could they be subject to prosecution, etc.? There would have to be upfront guarantees for everyone to feel comfortable with it. JMO.

 Not if they've been detecting illegally. Somehow I do not think the idea has really made it across the Atlantic properly.


Vignette: Do US academic institutions have the right of Sanctuary?