You're quite welcome; I'm delighted that you enjoyed the story. :-)
. .and what an incredible find by Gary Stern. . . and then the fact that he was even able to buy the property.
My great hope is that he will be able to keep it. I am concerned that this will be viewed as a profound embarrassment for the French (it was right under their noses for 60 - odd years and they apparently had no idea it was there) and that they will use some clause of French law pertaining to National Historic Sites to wrest it from him, despite his legal ownership.
After all, divers who have found sunken treasures have long had to contend with countries laying claim to the finds when they had no idea that it was there to begin with.
Interesting to see what side their embarassment falls on. . .
. . .but, should push comes to shove. . .perhaps, Mr. Stern can claim some 'muslim' heritage so as to be protected by France's own political correctness ;:^)