The lost heritage of Iraq: Baghdad looting destroys archeological connections to cradle of civilization, Old Testament and early Christian history. .(Cover Story) From: National Catholic Reporter | Date: May 9, 2003| Author: Griffith, Sidney H.; O'Connor, Michael Patrick | COPYRIGHT 2003 National Catholic Reporter. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

The transition from war to emerging peace in Iraq has been in some respects a disaster.

Important parts of the country's heritage were plundered or destroyed in the chaos that followed the collapse of the Baathist regime in Baghdad April 9, and the destruction of cultural property seems to be continuing. The greatest crime was the looting and destruction at the Iraqi National Museum, and the immediate criminals were Iraqis. In some cases international art and antiquities...