Looting Problem FRANKFORT, KY (WEKU) - Growing threats to archaeological sites in Kentucky have state lawmakers scrambling to find ways to better protect the state's historic treasures.

Right now, there are 94-thousand identified historic sites in Kentucky. Most are buildings, but 23-thousand are archaeological sites. And they're under stress from population growth, development and looting. David Pollack of the Kentucky Archaeological Survey says, compared to Indiana and West Virginia, Kentucky laws on looting are weak.

"That is why those folks in Indiana are coming over to Kentucky. They tell people routinely, we'll go loot in Kentucky because it's against the law here in Indiana. We can go dig there and nobody's going to stop us," said Pollack.

The most recent high-profile looting case involves Indian Head Rock, removed without permission from the Ohio River near Portsmouth. Two Ohio men have been indicted in the case, while Kentucky and Ohio battle over ownership of the eight-ton rock. Meanwhile, Louisville Rep. Reginald Meeks is among Kentucky lawmakers studying ways to stiffen state laws on looting. © Copyright 2009, WEKU