[lukan]

"even more sites would be destroyed"

Why? If you make a law, that people get a finders fee if they find something of historic value, only if they stop digging after finding it, but get a fine if they do destroy the site, how would that make more destruction?

Harder is it for homeowners, because real compensation there costs real money - but how else would you compensate people for individual loss, for the common benefit (research)?

[actionfromafar]

I'm thinking, more people could go "hunting" that way.

[lukan]

And if they do so in a controlled, legal setting, where they cooperate with proper scientists, wouldn't that be way better?

[altairprime]

Not if it compels them to hold their land fallow for an indeterminate months or years, in exchange for a one-time payment (or none at all). I’m all for proper archaeology but I can’t expect those who are trying to use their land to prioritize it unpaid. I don’t expect their government offers enough social support and compensation for the lost time to make it worth the risk and annoyance.