[Harmless Teddy Bear]

At issue is whether private companies should be able to claim and profit from historic treasures.

Why should they not?

They take the initiative to look for the treasure if they find it then it is theirs to do with as they please.

The world is no worse off if they melt it down into ingots then if they left it at the bottom of the sea for the fish.

Most of them do give at least a portion to museums but that is their choice and should not be mandated by law.

[ExTxMarine]

The world is no worse off if they melt it down into ingots then if they left it at the bottom of the sea for the fish.

And THAT is why laws of the sea have been set for so long! If I go find it, then it is mine!

As was stated earlier, give the original owners/financiers a chance to recover their own lost goods (obviously moot in this case), otherwise, after the grace period: FINDERS KEEPERS!! And what I do with my found and recovered booty is MY business!!