[SunkenCiv]

Thanks NYer. There would be much more Etruscan stuff in museums today, but the [characterization deleted] who had the concession (I think he was French) found so much nice pottery and whatnot that he worried that he wouldn't make any money (drug on the market), so he ordered a lot of it smashed to bits. That's the kind of thing that really chaps my ass.

That said, I'm not a big fan of Italian litigation in other areas -- IMHO, plaintiff governments need to show proof of provenance (that is, no more of this, "we believe this was dug up not long ago, even though we have no eyewitnesses or anything else") to file a claim under the various agreements, treaties, and statutes.

[NYer]

Here is another photo of the artifacts.

An Italian police officer stands by ancient artifacts recovered by authorities in separate operations Wednesday in Rome. In the foreground is a mosaic from a Roman catacomb, which was seized from a suspect's home.

I recall another incident my friend related. He and some friends found an open window in the 500+ y/o town Church and snuck inside late at night. They groped their way downstairs to what was apparently a burial vault. Turning on their flashlights, they were surprised to see corpses, fully vested and seated in chairs. Naturally they boasted of the discovery to friends which infuriated the priest. He feared the Belle Arte would come and take hold of the Church. Here's a picture of the Church.

CHIESA DI SANTA MARIA DELLE ROSE