[Dr Stormfist]

I'm feeling a bit skeptical about all these discoveries in China and Iran...it's as if they are trying to claim some conveted title.../shrugs

[RightWhale]

it's as if they are trying to claim

Maybe so. But it doesn't matter if they do since huge numbers of people can trace some of their ancestry to these regions regardless of who lives there now.

[blam]

"I'm feeling a bit skeptical about all these discoveries in China and Iran...it's as if they are trying to claim some conveted title.../shrugs"

I think a lot of these discoveries are related to new dams about to submerge some sites in each country and a 'rushed' effort

. Also, I think it has only been a very few years that Iran has allowed foreign archaeologists to work in Iran.