[Scoutmaster]

Actually, in the time of Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter, there was a boilerplate legal document with sixteen clauses that granted a concession to dig, and dealt with the division of any antiquities that were discovered.

With the exception of intact tombs (that is, tombs that had not been opened in antiquity - and even Tut's tomb had been opened twice by robbers in antiquity; they simply didn't get much), or works of special historical or archaeological significance, the Antiquities Services and the concessionaire agreed upon an equal split of the treasures.

And while the Giza Pyramids and the tombs in the Valley of the Tombs of the Kings are on government lands, in some countries the state claims ownership of antiquities found on private land. I'd need to do some research on what compensation, if any, is paid to the landowner - the but state confiscates the antiquity.

[bgill]

the Antiquities Services and the concessionaire agreed upon an equal split of the treasures.

Cool. Thanks for that info on the contract. As for the agreed upon split, imo, that's letting treasures out of the country. Sad, very sad, indeed.

in some countries the state claims ownership of antiquities found on private land. I'd need to do some research on what compensation, if any, is paid to the landowner - the but state confiscates the antiquity.

Yep, Big Brother theft.