Ancient site in Indiana plundered

 The secrets of a prehistoric village that once stood in Decatur County may remain locked away forever after thousands of ancient axes, arrowheads and other primitive tools were dug up and carted away. Three southern Indiana men have been arrested in the case after conservation officers, following a tip, found the men digging with shovels, picks and garden hoes, said Steve Reinholt, a state Department of Natural Resources field officer. Investigators found thousands of artifacts in the men's homes worth potentially tens of thousands of dollars, DNR officials said. The looting is especially significant because once a site is disturbed, it's extremely difficult for archeologists to conduct a scientific survey. [more ]