Southwestern Ill. archaeological site vandalized

EDWARDSVILLE, — Anthropology students at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville say they're disheartened by the apparent vandalism and possible looting from one of their archaeological dig sites.

Gregory Vogel of the university's archaeology field school tells the Belleville News-Democrat that a series of precisely excavated squares were caved in.

That's where vandals used shovels at the site to try to dig large holes to dig for artifacts.

Vogel figures the damage happened Friday evening after the students had closed out another day at the site.

Vogel says the students will have to clear away the caved-in walls, level the holes and start again.