>>2300183In that instance, the artifact had probably eroded onto the trail from elsewhere so it's provenience was already lost for the most part. No t really a huge deal that you took it although I'd still advise against it.
Don't ever take a point to a ranger though. Best case scenario they will chew you out for taking it from a site and worst case scenario they will charge you with a crime since it is illegal to take that stuff from public lands. In a perfect world, everyone who finds an artifact on public land would check it out, take some neat pictures, record coordinates if possible, toss it off into the bushes nearby, then pass the info on to a ranger.
