[mcg1969]

As security improves to allow excavation, evidence may emerge that advanced societies existed in the area much earlier than previously thought, said Dr John Russell, professor of archaeology at the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston.

Does this strike any of you as a quote from someone trolling for a grant? I mean, yeah, sure, evidence may emerge---or it may turn up a bunch of pottery shards and crude tools that impress nobody.

[WestTexasWend]

'Does this strike any of you as a quote from someone trolling for a grant?'

Yes, and it also strikes me that these same types will stand in the way of anyone still looking for WMD for fear they'll crush the world's oldest blister-buster or similar priceless objects. Just what the troops need in Iraq... another bunch to babysit.

BTW, weren't all of Iraq's treasures in those museums that were destroyed while we stood idly by?

[squidly]

it may turn up a bunch of pottery shards and crude tools that impress nobody.

I'm amazed at how many people get fascinated with pottery shards and crude tools. I used to have a girlfriend that was into all that, got excited about going on digs and such. To me, it was just a bunch of rocks. I suppose that someday, someone will find my corn flakes bowl and gaze upon it with wonder.