---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 113"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "113"
heading: "Examinations, excavations, and gathering objects of interest"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/113"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter XII — Mesa Verde National Park"
---

# §113. Examinations, excavations, and gathering objects of interest


The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior is authorized to permit examinations, excavations, and other gathering of objects of interest within said [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) by any [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) or [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) whom he may deem properly qualified to conduct such examinations, excavations, or gatherings, subject to such rules and regulations as he may prescribe: Provided always, That the examinations, excavations, and gatherings shall be undertaken only for the benefit of some reputable museum, university, college, or other recognized scientific or educational institution, with a view to increasing the knowledge of such objects and aiding the general advancement of archaeological science.


## Source credit

(June 29, 1906, ch. 3607, § 3, 34 Stat. 617.)