“Then why would the authorities “return” them to the polities where they were “excavated”?”
Because that automatically authenticates them making them worth money. Also, imagine how the fact that they’re real will enhance careers. (Yeah, I’m cynical to the bone.)
That Mona Lisa story is AWESOME!! Thanks.
Can’t quite round it up on the web though, darnit.
https://www.youtube.com/results?q=Jack+Palance+ripley’s+believe+it+or+not&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=w1
Ripley: Believe It or Not
American Experience
WGBH
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/ripley/player/
Isleworth Mona Lisa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isleworth_Mona_Lisa
First copy of da Vinci masterpiece reveals she had sculpted eyebrows and was more plump
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2095047/Mona-Lisa-copy-painted-Leonardo-da-Vincis-student-unveiled-Madrid.html
Speculations about Mona Lisa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculations_about_Mona_Lisa