The answer is the archaeological resources protection act of 1979 (pub.l. 96–95 as amended, 93 stat. 721, codified at 16 u.s.c. §§ 470aa–470mm), also referred to as arpa, is a federal law of the united states passed in 1979 and amended in 1988. arpa also forbids any sales, purchase, exchange, transport, or receipt.