It is very interesting and different type of archaeology because it deals with act of stealing artifacts from the tomb. A person who steals is called grave robber. This has made the study very hard for archaeologists because those who steal mummies and dig out graves, vanishes the foot prints and to trace them is really not an easy task. Well, for some people, there isn't any difference. Others (like myself) distinguish it by grave robbing generally involves destroying part of the tomb (or whatever) in the process of getting the treasures inside.  The goals of archaeology are far and wide and there is ongoing debate regarding its aims and responsibilities to the society. One of main goals on which there is some consensus is that the field intends to document and provide explanation of the origins as well as development of human cultures. Archaeologists also study the various methods used in the discipline and the theoretical and philosophical ideas that underpin the questions that inspired questions archaeologists in the past.

Archaeologists, however, are supposed to be more concerned with preservation and gaining knowledge. Grave robbers are in it for profit. They sell what's obviously valuable (jewels, gold), and don't care about what can't be fenced easily. An archeologist is more interested in learning about an ancient culture. The shard of pottery is as important as the ruby pendent. The line can be blurred of course, every museum wants a mummy, every archeologist wants to make a big find and obtain notoriety.