[blam]

I think the civilizations of the Indus Valley were earlier and more sophisticated than Iraq

IMO, the next 'big' discoveries will be made underwater off the coast of India and in South America.

[blam]

[billorites]

"Expert Says Iraq Could Rewrite Archaeology Books"

Let's see them write their damn constitution first.

[mcg1969]

As security improves to allow excavation, evidence may emerge that advanced societies existed in the area much earlier than previously thought, said Dr John Russell, professor of archaeology at the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston.

Does this strike any of you as a quote from someone trolling for a grant? I mean, yeah, sure, evidence may emerge---or it may turn up a bunch of pottery shards and crude tools that impress nobody.

[LiteKeeper]

read later

[Publius6961]

"This is one of the great museums of the world," he said. "In time, we hope to turn it into a truly viable academic research institute that draws art historians and archaeologists from all over the world."

This rings of hyperbole and rings totally hollow, in view of the fact that in spite of over 100 years of academics' presence in Iraq, the "treasures" cited as being lost to looters were not adequately catalogued and photographed.

Even as a non-archeologist, I would have better sense than to allow that to happen! Film is cheap, and the lapse is inexcuseable incompetence.

[farmfriend]

Gods, Graves, Glyphs
List for articles regarding early civilizations , life of all forms, - dinosaurs - etc.
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[Fedora]

The most interesting finds out of Iraq I've seen lately are the Warka Mask (the "Sumerian Mona Lisa" mentioned in the article) and the magnetic mapping of Uruk that turned up a previously-unknown canal system and led to the discovery of the Tomb of Gilgamesh. I believe the latter excavation had been held up during the last few years of Saddam's regime, so I'll be anxious to see what else turns up now that excavation can resume in earnest there and at other sites.

[Servant of the 9]

I think the civilizations of the Indus Valley were earlier and more sophisticated than Iraq

IMO, the next 'big' discoveries will be made underwater off the coast of India and in South America.

I think it will be in the Black Sea.
The valley was perfectly placed to have been 'The Cradle of Civilization' and anything in it is protected by the dead or sterile zone below 400 feet.

Besides the ancient center of civilization, there should be thousands of completely preserved ships from every age.

So9

[CommandoFrank]

I wonder if the time capsul I buried in 1956 in upstate New York has been discovered yet...

[VOA]

IIRC, some archeologist didn't go with the "blame the Americans" when the
manufactured hysteria about the "rape" of the Iraqi museum was a big press item.

He said something like, even if a lot of stuff had been lost from the museum,
all they needed to do was go outside the museum and start digging.
Sounds like the place is just loaded with ton upon ton of artifacts still
awaiting excavation.

[austinTparty]

I'm sure that some things have been found in Iraq that people covered up for fear of Saddam and his thugs taking it all for themselves.

BTW, thanks for posting; I always enjoy the articles you find.

[SunkenCiv]

Just updating the GGG information, not sending a general distribution.

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[js1138]

Indiana Jones found a WMD buried in the desert.

[SunkenCiv]

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[RightWhale]

Iraq is a huge area. Iran is even huger. My uncle spent his entire career digging in that region and he barely touched what is there.