The Warka Vase, 3,200-3,000 BC.
(right) This vase lay undisturbed
in the sands of Iraq for 5,000
years until it was discovered in
1940 and brought to the Baghdad
Museum. The Warka Vase is one of
the most important works in the
history of the art of western
civilization.(right) The vase as
it appears today. It was stolen
from the Baghdad Museum during
the lootings of April 2003 and
returned in June 2003. How can
this kind of damage be repaired?
Unfortunately, this is not a
unique situation. Dozens of
looted works of art were returned
in bad shape and dozens still
remain lost.