Many artifacts and grave-related items are protected under federal laws. Details.at cooperates with the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Federal Bureau of Investigation in determining what items may lawfully be sold under these laws. Please follow these general guidelines when listing related items on Details.at.
Native American items
Native American human remains, gravesite-related items and burial items may not be listed on Details.at. Native American masks and "prayer sticks" from all Southwestern tribes are also prohibited.
Artifacts
Artifacts taken from any federal, state, public (Bureau of Land Management), Native American land, or battlefield are prohibited for sale.
An item lawfully removed from private land is permitted. However, government survey markers, such as those issued and marked by the U.S. Geological Survey, may not be listed unless accompanied by a clear scan of proof that the government has transferred ownership of the marker to a private person or entity.
Historical graves, tombstones or related markers
These items may not be listed on Details.at. While we recognize that some historical grave markers may be privately held within families and legal to sell, Details.at is concerned with vandalism that has occurred in graveyards across the world.
New grave markers and burial plots
These items may be listed on Details.at. If you have questions about the legality of a particular Native American item, or any protected artifact, you may contact the Department of Interior at (505) 248-7937 for further information.
Native American Crafts
Sellers should be careful when describing their piece of art, or craft, as a Native American piece. Under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, all arts or craftwork offered for sale as American Indian or Alaska Native must be made by an enrolled user of a State or federally recognized Indian tribe, or by an individual certified as an Indian artisan by the governing body of an Indian tribe.
If you're representing your arts and crafts related item as an "American Indian" or "Alaska Native" piece, make sure that you're complying with the law and accurately representing your item, particularly if you're selling Indian-style jewelry, pottery, baskets, carved stone fetishes, woven rugs, kachina dolls, and clothing.
If you have any questions regarding the sale of American Indian or Alaska Native art or craftwork on Details.at, contact the Indian Arts and Crafts Board at (202) 208-3773.