He may be storming box offices worldwide as everybody's favourite tomb raider, but Indiana Jones breaks every rule in the archaeological book.

For all his swashbuckling adventures, the fictional Dr Jones would be found guilty of unethical and quite possibly illegal behaviour, the head of the World Archaeological Congress said.

"In pursuit of 'fortune and glory' Jones ignores international treaties, treats human remains as weapons, and destroys archaeological sites in a bid to escape from potential entombment and other worrisome possibilities," said Professor Claire Smith of Australia's Newcastle University.