Archeologists Mourn Plunder of Iraq's Treasures

[Dover]

Archeologists Mourn Plunder of Iraq's Treasures

Reuters
Saturday, April 10, 2004; 7:44 AM


By Luke Baker

DHAHIR, Iraq (Reuters) - The crime is low-tech and bloodless, but it is slowly robbing humanity of the roots of its own existence.

Across southern Iraq, often in the dead of night, tomb raiders and temple thieves are systematically looting ancient treasures that have lain undiscovered for thousands of years.

Using spades and working by the light of makeshift oil lamps, armed gangs are digging into the shifting sands at the edges of the Euphrates River plain to spirit away priceless artifacts buried with the Sumerian dynasties 5,000 years ago.

Before archeologists can properly identify and excavate the sites, scattered across the river valley south of Babylon, the looters have already torn apart ancient temples, palaces and tombs that hold clues to the foundations of civilization.

And since archeologists don't know precisely what was there, no one will likely ever know what's missing, meaning robbers are stealing history even before it's been discovered.....cont'd

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1193-2004Apr10.html

[KissMyAsscroft]

1. bush's response...

"Get this guy some ribs!"

[Malva Zebrina]

2. the most ancient of civilisations was born here

and there are so many artifacts that contribute to our knowlege of how civilisations evolved--it all began, as far as we know, here in the fertile crescent.

I am convinced that these artifacts and the destruction of these artifacts and disdain for them was done on purpose.

I believe it was done so for religious purposes

:tinfoilhat: ?

Maybe