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For my first post on ethics I thought it would be smart to begin by talking about some of the basic ethical practices that are maintained in archaeological excavation and education today! This posts has a thread which you can follow below 
This thread contains information taken directly from Crow Canyon Archaeological Center (the URL will be posted below). This archaeological center states the main points from the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) and the Register of Professional Archaeologists.
"Archaeologists have a responsibility to promote stewardship of the archaeological record of the past. This record (sites, deposits, and artifacts and other materials that remain in or on the ground) is fragile, easily disturbed, and nonrenewable-
The archaeological record can yield new information about the past if it is properly studied. However, the information content of the record can be lost if patterns of stratigraphy and artifact associations are disturbed without documentation."
The main idea that can be extruded from this point is that documentation is a vital part of archaeological work and research. This post also reveals a troubling truth behind archaeology which is that any type of excavation is inherently destructive and nonrenewable. Be careful!
The next point this archaeological center makes is "Archaeologists must employ a conservation ethic in their work. That is, they should excavate only what is needed for their research. They should leave parts of sites intact for future archaeologists to investigate."
Preserving a dig site is also important to archaeological practice. By maintaining the site and only digging for what is relevant to that archaeologist at the time, they can preserve the site for future generations of archaeologists.
The final post in this thread has to with a topic that will be explored on this account in the future, so check back for that post later! The final main point for my initial post is as follows
"One of the main threats to archaeology is looting of artifacts for private collections or for sale. This results in loss of most of the information that could have been gained through controlled excavations.
Looting also often results in desecration of graves and sites that are sacred to Native Americans (American Indians) and other descendant groups. Archaeologists have a responsibility to help stop looting and the commercial market that drives it."
Not only is looting illegal, it poses a significant threat for the study and preservation of important archaeological artifacts that could otherwise benefit researchers and students.
