Why don’t the developers just make MORE money trying to sell the land off as a do it yourself archeology dig site? Think about the profits they can make by selling dig times for 5 bucks an hour to a hundred schoolkids every hour for 8 hours.
In California, there are state laws which kick in when human remains are found.
Knowingly disturbing human remains can be a felony. Here is one applicable law:
California Public Resources Code 5097.99.(a) No person shall obtain or possess any Native American artifacts or human remains which are taken from a Native American grave or cairn on or after January 1, 1984, except as otherwise provided by law or in accordance with an agreement reached pursuant to subdivision (l) of Section 5097.94 or pursuant to Section 5097.98.
(b) Any person who knowingly or willfully obtains or possesses any Native American artifacts or human remains which are taken from a Native American grave or cairn after January 1, 1988, except as otherwise provided by law or in accordance with an agreement reached pursuant to subdivision (l) of Section 5097.94 or pursuant to Section 5097.98, is guilty of a felony which is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison.
(c) Any person who removes, without authority of law, any Native American artifacts or human remains from a Native American grave or cairn with an intent to sell or dissect or with malice or wantonness is guilty of a felony which is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison.
And a felony is serious stuff indeed. Not to be taken lightly.