A_AT1 High-Tech_JJ Hunt_NN1 for_IF Lost_JJ Art_NN1 Florence_NP1 ,_, Italy_NP1 If_CS you_PPY believe_VV0 ,_, as_CSA Maurizio_NP1 Seracini_NP1 does_VDZ ,_, that_CST Leonardo_NP1 da_NP1 Vinci_NP1 's_GE greatest_JJT painting_NN1 is_VBZ hidden_VVN inside_II a_AT1 wall_NN1 in_II Florence_NP1 's_GE city_NN1 hall_NN1 ,_, then_RT there_EX are_VBR two_MC essential_JJ techniques_NN2 for_IF finding_VVG it_PPH1 ._. 
As_RR21 usual_RR22 ,_, Leonardo_NP1 anticipated_VVD both_DB2 of_IO them_PPHO2 ._. 
First_MD ,_, concentrate_VV0 on_II scientific_JJ gadgetry_NN1 ._. 
After_II spotting_VVG what_DDQ seemed_VVD to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 clue_NN1 to_II Leonardo_NP1 's_GE painting_NN1 left_VVN by_II another_DD1 16th-century_NNT1 artist_NN1 ,_, Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 led_VVD an_AT1 international_JJ team_NN1 of_IO scientists_NN2 in_II mapping_VVG every_AT1 millimeter_NN1 of_IO the_AT wall_NN1 and_CC surrounding_JJ room_NN1 with_IW lasers_NN2 ,_, radar_NN1 ,_, ultraviolet_JJ light_NN1 and_CC infrared_JJ cameras_NN2 ._. 
Once_CS they_PPHS2 identified_VVD the_AT likely_JJ hiding_NN1 place_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 developed_VVD devices_NN2 to_TO detect_VVI the_AT painting_NN1 by_II firing_VVG neutrons_NN2 into_II the_AT wall_NN1 ._. 
"_" Leonardo_NP1 would_VM love_VVI to_TO see_VVI how_RGQ much_DA1 science_NN1 is_VBZ being_VBG used_VVN to_TO look_VVI for_IF his_APPGE most_RGT celebrated_JJ masterpiece_NN1 ,_, "_" Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 said_VVD ,_, gazing_VVG up_RP at_II the_AT wall_NN1 where_CS he_PPHS1 hopes_VVZ the_AT painting_NN1 can_VM be_VBI found_VVN ,_, and_CC then_RT retrieved_VVD intact_JJ ._. 
Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 was_VBDZ standing_VVG in_II the_AT Palazzo_NP1 Vecchio_NP1 's_GE grand_JJ ceremonial_JJ chamber_NN1 ,_, the_AT Hall_NN1 of_IO 500_MC ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ the_AT center_NN1 of_IO Renaissance_NN1 politics_NN1 when_CS Leonardo_NP1 and_CC Michelangelo_NP1 were_VBDR commissioned_VVN to_TO adorn_VVI it_PPH1 with_IW murals_NN2 of_IO Florentine_JJ military_JJ victories_NN2 ._. 
On_II this_DD1 July_NPM1 day_NNT1 of_IO 2009_MC ,_, it_PPH1 remained_VVD the_AT political_JJ hub_NN1 ,_, as_CSA evidenced_VVN by_II the_AT sudden_JJ appearance_NN1 of_IO Florence_NP1 's_GE new_JJ mayor_NN1 ,_, Matteo_NP1 Renzi_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS was_VBDZ rushing_VVG from_II his_APPGE office_NN1 to_II a_AT1 waiting_JJ car_NN1 ._. 
The_AT scientific_JJ lecture_NN1 ceased_VVN as_CSA Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 moved_VVD quickly_RR to_TO intercept_VVI the_AT mayoral_JJ entourage_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ eager_JJ to_TO use_VVI the_AT second_MD essential_JJ strategy_NN1 for_IF retrieving_VVG a_AT1 Leonardo_NP1 painting_NN1 in_II Florence_NP1 :_: find_VV0 the_AT right_JJ patron_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 has_VHZ always_RR been_VBN a_AT1 good_JJ tactic_NN1 in_II the_AT home_NN1 of_IO the_AT Medicis_NN1 and_CC bureaucrats_NN2 like_II Machiavelli_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 friend_NN1 of_IO Leonardo_NP1 's_GE who_PNQS signed_VVD the_AT contract_NN1 commissioning_VVG the_AT battle_NN1 mural_NN1 ._. 
Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 ,_, an_AT1 engineering_NN1 professor_NN1 at_II the_AT University_NN1 of_IO California_NP1 ,_, San_NP1 Diego_NP1 ,_, had_VHD spent_VVN years_NNT2 in_II bureaucratic_JJ limbo_NN1 waiting_VVG to_TO try_VVI his_APPGE neutron-beam_JJ technique_NN1 ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 saw_VVD this_DD1 new_JJ mayor_NN1 as_CSA his_APPGE best_JJT hope_NN1 yet_RR for_IF finding_VVG Leonardo_NP1 's_GE work_NN1 ._. 
The_AT quest_NN1 had_VHD begun_VVN more_DAR than_CSN three_MC decades_NNT2 earlier_RRR with_IW a_AT1 clue_NN1 fit_JJ for_IF a_AT1 Dan_NP1 Brown_NP1 novel_NN1 ._. 
In_II 1975_MC ,_, after_II studying_VVG engineering_NN1 in_II the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 ,_, Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 returned_VVD to_II his_APPGE native_JJ Florence_NP1 and_CC surveyed_VVD the_AT Hall_NN1 of_IO 500_MC with_IW a_AT1 Leonardo_NP1 scholar_NN1 ,_, Carlo_NP1 Pedretti_NP1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR looking_VVG for_IF "_" The_AT Battle_NN1 of_IO Anghiari_NP1 ,_, "_" the_AT largest_JJT painting_NN1 Leonardo_NP1 ever_RR undertook_VVD (_( three_MC times_NNT2 the_AT width_NN1 of_IO "_" The_AT Last_MD Supper_NN1 "_" )_) ._. 
Although_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ never_RR completed_VVN --_JJ Leonardo_NP1 abandoned_VVD it_PPH1 in_II 1506_MC --_NN1 he_PPHS1 left_VVD a_AT1 central_JJ scene_NN1 of_IO clashing_JJ soldiers_NN2 and_CC horses_NN2 that_CST was_VBDZ hailed_VVN as_II an_AT1 unprecedented_JJ study_NN1 of_IO anatomy_NN1 and_CC motion_NN1 ._. 
For_IF decades_NNT2 ,_, artists_NN2 like_II Raphael_NP1 went_VVD to_II the_AT Hall_NN1 of_IO 500_MC to_TO see_VVI it_PPH1 and_CC make_VVI their_APPGE own_DA copies_NN2 ._. 
Then_RT it_PPH1 vanished_VVD ._. 
During_II the_AT remodeling_NN1 of_IO the_AT hall_NN1 in_II 1563_MC ,_, the_AT architect_NN1 and_CC painter_NN1 Giorgio_NP1 Vasari_NP1 covered_VVD the_AT walls_NN2 with_IW frescoes_NN2 of_IO military_JJ victories_NN2 by_II the_AT Medicis_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS had_VHD returned_VVN to_II power_NN1 ._. 
Leonardo_NP1 's_GE painting_NN1 was_VBDZ largely_RR forgotten_VVN ._. 
But_CCB in_II 1975_MC ,_, when_RRQ Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 studied_VVD one_MC1 of_IO Vasari_NP1 's_GE battle_NN1 scenes_NN2 ,_, he_PPHS1 noticed_VVD a_AT1 tiny_JJ flag_NN1 with_IW two_MC words_NN2 ,_, "_" Cerca_NP1 Trova_NP1 "_" :_: essentially_RR ,_, seek_VV0 and_CC ye_PPY shall_VM find_VVI ._. 
Was_VBDZ this_DD1 Vasari_NN1 's_GE signal_NN1 that_CST something_PN1 was_VBDZ hidden_VVN underneath_RL ?_? 
The_AT technology_NN1 of_IO the_AT 1970s_MC2 did_VDD not_XX provide_VVI much_DA1 of_IO an_AT1 answer_NN1 ._. 
Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 went_VVD on_RP to_TO make_VVI his_APPGE name_NN1 with_IW scientific_JJ analyses_NN2 of_IO other_JJ works_NN of_IO art_NN1 ,_, and_CC to_II found_VVD the_AT Center_NN1 of_IO Interdisciplinary_JJ Science_NN1 for_IF Art_NN1 ,_, Architecture_NN1 and_CC Archaeology_NN1 at_II U.C.S.D._NP1 In_II 2000_MC he_PPHS1 returned_VVD to_II the_AT hall_NN1 with_IW new_JJ technology_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 new_JJ financial_JJ patron_NN1 ,_, Loel_NP1 Guinness_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 British_JJ philanthropist_NN1 ._. 
By_II taking_VVG infrared_JJ pictures_NN2 and_CC laser-mapping_NN1 the_AT room_NN1 ,_, Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 's_GE team_NN1 discovered_VVD where_RRQ the_AT doors_NN2 and_CC windows_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN before_II Vasari_NP1 's_GE remodeling_NN1 ._. 
The_AT reconstructed_JJ blueprint_NN1 ,_, combined_VVN with_IW 16th-century_JJ documents_NN2 ,_, was_VBDZ enough_DD to_TO locate_VVI the_AT spot_NN1 painted_VVN by_II Leonardo_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 also_RR offered_VVD a_AT1 potential_JJ explanation_NN1 for_IF Michelangelo_NP1 's_GE failure_NN1 to_TO do_VDI anything_PN1 more_DAR than_CSN an_AT1 initial_JJ sketch_NN1 for_IF his_APPGE mural_NN1 :_: He_PPHS1 must_VM have_VHI been_VBN miffed_VVN that_CST Leonardo_NP1 was_VBDZ assigned_VVN a_AT1 section_NN1 of_IO the_AT wall_NN1 with_IW much_DA1 better_JJR window_NN1 light_NN1 ._. 
"_" This_DD1 room_NN1 is_VBZ huge_JJ ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX big_JJ enough_RR for_IF both_RR Michelangelo_NP1 and_CC Leonardo_NP1 ,_, "_" Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
(_( Visit_VV0 nytimes.com/tierneylab_FU for_IF more_DAR details_NN2 ._. )_) 
The_AT new_JJ analysis_NN1 showed_VVD that_CST the_AT spot_NN1 painted_VVN by_II Leonardo_NP1 was_VBDZ right_JJ at_II the_AT "_" Cerca_NP1 Trova_NP1 "_" clue_NN1 ._. 
The_AT even_RR better_JJR news_NN1 ,_, obtained_VVN from_II radar_NN1 scanning_VVG ,_, was_VBDZ that_DD1 Vasari_NN1 had_VHD not_XX plastered_VVN his_APPGE work_NN1 directly_RR on_II31 top_II32 of_II33 Leonardo_NP1 's_GE ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD erected_VVN new_JJ brick_NN1 walls_NN2 to_TO hold_VVI his_APPGE murals_NN2 ,_, and_CC had_VHD gone_VVN to_II special_JJ trouble_NN1 to_TO leave_VVI a_AT1 small_JJ air_NN1 gap_NN1 behind_II one_MC1 section_NN1 of_IO the_AT bricks_NN2 --_NN1 the_AT section_NN1 in_II31 back_II32 of_II33 "_" Cerca_NP1 Trova_NP1 ._. "_" 
But_CCB how_RRQ could_VM anyone_PN1 today_RT know_VVI what_DDQ lay_VVD behind_II the_AT fresco_NN1 and_CC the_AT bricks_NN2 ?_? 
How_RRQ could_VM anyone_PN1 peer_VVI six_MC inches_NNU2 into_II the_AT wall_NN1 without_IW harming_VVG the_AT historic_JJ fresco_NN1 on_II the_AT surface_NN1 ?_? 
Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 was_VBDZ stymied_VVN until_II 2005_MC ,_, when_CS he_PPHS1 appealed_VVD for_IF help_NN1 at_II a_AT1 scientific_JJ conference_NN1 and_CC got_VVD a_AT1 suggestion_NN1 to_TO send_VVI beams_NN2 of_IO neutrons_NN2 harmlessly_RR through_II the_AT fresco_NN1 ._. 
With_IW help_NN1 from_II physicists_NN2 in_II the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 ,_, Italy_NP1 's_GE nuclear-energy_JJ agency_NN1 and_CC universities_NN2 in_II the_AT Netherlands_NP1 and_CC Russia_NP1 ,_, Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 developed_VVD devices_NN2 for_IF identifying_VVG the_AT telltale_NN1 chemicals_NN2 used_VVN by_II Leonardo_NP1 ._. 
One_MC1 device_NN1 can_VM detect_VVI the_AT neutrons_NN2 that_CST bounce_VV0 back_RP after_II colliding_VVG with_IW hydrogen_NN1 atoms_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ abound_VV0 in_II the_AT organic_JJ materials_NN2 (_( like_II linseed_NN1 oil_NN1 and_CC resin_NN1 )_) employed_VVD by_II Leonardo_NP1 ._. 
Instead_II21 of_II22 using_VVG water-based_JJ paint_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 traditional_JJ fresco_NN1 in_II wet_JJ plaster_NN1 like_II Vasari_NP1 's_GE ,_, Leonardo_NP1 covered_VVD the_AT wall_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 waterproof_JJ ground_NN1 layer_NN1 and_CC used_JJ oil-based_JJ paints_NN2 ._. 
If_CS Leonardo_NP1 Da_NP1 Vinci_NP1 's_GE masterpiece_NN1 is_VBZ really_RR hidden_VVN inside_II a_AT1 wall_NN1 in_II Florence_NP1 ,_, what_DDQ should_VM be_VBI done_VDN with_IW it_PPH1 ?_? 
Join_VV0 the_AT discussion_NN1 ._. 
The_AT other_JJ device_NN1 can_VM detect_VVI the_AT distinctive_JJ gamma_NN1 rays_NN2 produced_VVN by_II collisions_NN2 of_IO neutrons_NN2 with_IW the_AT atoms_NN2 of_IO different_JJ chemical_JJ elements_NN2 ._. 
The_AT goal_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO locate_VVI the_AT sulfur_NN1 in_II Leonardo_NP1 's_GE ground_NN1 layer_NN1 ,_, the_AT tin_NN1 in_II the_AT white_JJ prime_JJ layer_NN1 and_CC the_AT chemicals_NN2 in_II the_AT color_NN1 pigments_NN2 ,_, like_II the_AT mercury_NN1 in_II vermilion_NN1 and_CC the_AT copper_NN1 in_II blue_JJ pigments_NN2 of_IO azurite_NN1 ._. 
Developing_VVG this_DD1 technology_NN1 was_VBDZ difficult_JJ ,_, but_CCB not_XX as_RG big_JJ a_AT1 challenge_NN1 as_CSA getting_VVG permission_NN1 to_TO use_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 kept_VVD running_VVG into_II political_JJ and_CC bureaucratic_JJ dead_JJ ends_NN2 ._. 
So_RR when_CS he_PPHS1 saw_VVD the_AT new_JJ mayor_NN1 dashing_VVG across_II the_AT Hall_NN1 of_IO 500_MC that_DD1 July_NPM1 afternoon_NNT1 ,_, Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 rushed_VVD at_II the_AT chance_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 personal_JJ to_TO appeal_VVI to_II Mr._NNB Renzi_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS had_VHD been_VBN a_AT1 fan_NN1 of_IO the_AT project_NN1 before_II his_APPGE election_NN1 ._. 
With_IW the_AT politesse_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 Medici_NN1 ,_, the_AT mayor_NN1 paused_VVD and_CC listened_VVD ,_, then_RT promised_VVN to_II further_RRR this_DD1 artistic_JJ endeavor_NN1 once_CS he_PPHS1 had_VHD dealt_VVN with_IW his_APPGE first_MD batch_NN1 of_IO election_NN1 pledges_NN2 ._. 
"_" My_APPGE dream_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO see_VVI this_DD1 discovery_NN1 very_RG soon_RR ,_, "_" Mr._NNB Renzi_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Soon_RR "_" can_VM be_VBI a_AT1 highly_RR relative_JJ term_NN1 in_II Italian_JJ bureaucracies_NN2 ,_, but_CCB the_AT mayor_NN1 did_VDD indeed_RR go_VVI on_RP to_II restart_NN1 the_AT approval_NN1 process_NN1 and_CC meet_VV0 with_IW one_MC1 of_IO the_AT current_JJ patrons_NN2 of_IO the_AT project_NN1 ,_, the_AT National_JJ Geographic_JJ Society_NN1 ._. 
Last_MD week_NNT1 ,_, the_AT mayor_NN1 said_VVD he_PPHS1 expected_VVD it_PPH1 to_TO proceed_VVI shortly_RR ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 are_VBR very_RG willing_JJ to_TO give_VVI Professor_NNB Seracini_NP1 permission_NN1 ,_, "_" Mr._NNB Renzi_NP1 said_VVD Thursday_NPD1 ._. 
"_" The_AT only_JJ issue_NN1 that_CST remains_VVZ concerns_NN2 timing_NN1 --_NN1 who_PNQS does_VDZ what_DDQ ._. 
Within_II a_AT1 week_NNT1 or_CC two_MC it_PPH1 should_VM get_VVI the_AT go-ahead_NN1 ._. "_" 
Once_CS he_PPHS1 gets_VVZ permission_NN1 ,_, Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 said_VVD ,_, he_PPHS1 hopes_VVZ to_TO complete_VVI the_AT analysis_NN1 within_RL about_RG a_AT1 year_NNT1 ._. 
If_CS "_" The_AT Battle_NN1 of_IO Anghiari_NN1 "_" is_VBZ proved_VVN to_TO be_VBI there_RL ,_, he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI feasible_JJ for_IF Florentine_JJ authorities_NN2 to_TO bring_VVI in_RP experts_NN2 to_TO remove_VVI the_AT exterior_JJ fresco_NN1 by_II Vasari_NP1 ,_, extract_VV0 the_AT Leonardo_NP1 painting_NN1 and_CC then_RT replace_VV0 the_AT Vasari_JJ fresco_NN1 ._. 
Of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, no_PN121 one_PN122 knows_VVZ what_DDQ kind_NN1 of_IO shape_NN1 the_AT painting_NN1 might_VM be_VBI in_RP today_RT ._. 
But_CCB Dr._NNB Seracini_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS has_VHZ extensively_RR analyzed_VVN the_AT damages_NN2 suffered_VVN by_II many_DA2 Renaissance_NN1 paintings_NN2 ,_, said_VVD that_CST he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ optimistic_JJ about_II "_" The_AT Battle_NN1 of_IO Anghiari_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" The_AT advantage_NN1 is_VBZ that_CST it_PPH1 has_VHZ been_VBN covered_VVN up_RP for_IF five_MC centuries_NNT2 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VHZ been_VBN protected_VVN against_II the_AT environment_NN1 and_CC vandalism_NN1 and_CC bad_JJ restorations_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX expect_VVI there_RL to_TO be_VBI much_DA1 decay_NN1 ._. "_" 
If_CS he_PPHS1 is_VBZ right_JJ ,_, then_RT perhaps_RR Vasari_NP1 did_VDD Leonardo_NP1 a_AT1 favor_NN1 by_II covering_VVG up_RP the_AT painting_NN1 --_NN1 and_CC taking_VVG care_NN1 to_TO leave_VVI that_DD1 cryptic_JJ little_JJ flag_NN1 above_II the_AT trove_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 Case_NN1 in_II Antiquities_NN2 for_IF 'Finders_NN2 Keepers_NN2 '_GE Zahi_JJ Hawass_NN1 regards_VVZ the_AT Rosetta_NP1 Stone_NP1 ,_, like_II so_RG much_DA1 else_RR ,_, as_CSA stolen_VVN property_NN1 languishing_VVG in_II exile_NN1 ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 own_VV0 that_DD1 stone_NN1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 told_VVD Al_NP1 Jazeera_NP1 ,_, speaking_VVG as_II the_AT secretary_NN1 general_JJ of_IO Egypt_NP1 's_GE Supreme_JJ Council_NN1 of_IO Antiquities_NN2 ._. 
The_AT British_JJ Museum_NN1 does_VDZ not_XX agree_VVI --_JJ at_RR21 least_RR22 not_XX yet_RR ._. 
But_CCB never_RR underestimate_VV0 Dr._NNB Hawass_NP1 when_CS it_PPH1 comes_VVZ to_II this_DD1 sort_NN1 of_IO custody_NN1 dispute_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 has_VHZ prevailed_VVN so_RG often_RR in_II getting_VVG pieces_NN2 returned_VVN to_II what_DDQ he_PPHS1 calls_VVZ their_APPGE "_" motherland_NN1 "_" that_CST museum_NN1 curators_NN2 are_VBR scrambling_VVG to_TO appease_VVI him_PPHO1 ._. 
Last_MD month_NNT1 ,_, after_CS Dr._NNB Hawass_NP1 suspended_VVD the_AT Louvre_NP1 's_GE excavation_NN1 in_II Egypt_NP1 ,_, the_AT museum_NN1 promptly_RR returned_VVD the_AT ancient_JJ fresco_NN1 fragments_NN2 he_PPHS1 sought_VVD ._. 
Then_RT the_AT Metropolitan_JJ Museum_NN1 of_IO Art_NN1 made_VVD a_AT1 pre-emptive_JJ display_NN1 of_IO its_APPGE "_" appreciation_NN1 "_" and_CC "_" deep_JJ respect_NN1 "_" by_II buying_VVG a_AT1 piece_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 shrine_NN1 from_II a_AT1 private_JJ collector_NN1 so_CS21 that_CS22 it_PPH1 could_VM be_VBI donated_VVN to_II Egypt_NP1 ._. 
Now_RT an_AT1 official_NN1 from_II the_AT Neues_NP2 Museum_NN1 in_II Berlin_NP1 is_VBZ headed_VVN to_II Egypt_NP1 to_TO discuss_VVI Dr._NNB Hawass_NP1 's_GE demand_NN1 for_IF its_APPGE star_NN1 attraction_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 bust_NN1 of_IO Nefertiti_NN1 ._. 
These_DD2 gestures_NN2 may_VM make_VVI immediate_JJ pragmatic_JJ sense_NN1 for_IF museum_NN1 curators_NN2 worried_VVN about_II getting_VVG excavation_NN1 permits_NN2 and_CC avoiding_VVG legal_JJ problems_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB is_VBZ this_DD1 trend_NN1 ultimately_RR good_JJ for_IF archaeology_NN1 ?_? 
Scientists_NN2 and_CC curators_NN2 have_VH0 generally_RR supported_VVN the_AT laws_NN2 passed_VVN in_II recent_JJ decades_NNT2 giving_VVG countries_NN2 ownership_NN1 of_IO ancient_JJ "_" cultural_JJ property_NN1 "_" discovered_VVD within_II their_APPGE borders_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB these_DD2 laws_NN2 rest_VV0 on_II a_AT1 couple_NN1 of_IO highly_RR debatable_JJ assumptions_NN2 :_: that_CST artifacts_NN2 should_VM remain_VVI in_II whatever_DDQV country_NN1 they_PPHS2 were_VBDR found_VVN ,_, and_CC that_CST the_AT best_JJT way_NN1 to_TO protect_VVI archaeological_JJ sites_NN2 is_VBZ to_TO restrict_VVI the_AT international_JJ trade_NN1 in_II antiquities_NN2 ._. 
In_II some_DD cases_NN2 ,_, it_PPH1 makes_VVZ aesthetic_JJ or_CC archaeological_JJ sense_NN1 to_TO keep_VVI artifacts_NN2 grouped_VVN together_RL where_CS they_PPHS2 were_VBDR found_VVN ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 can_VM also_RR be_VBI risky_JJ to_TO leave_VVI everything_PN1 in_II one_MC1 place_NN1 ,_, particularly_RR if_CS the_AT country_NN1 is_VBZ in_II turmoil_NN1 or_CC ca_VM n't_XX afford_VVI to_TO excavate_VVI or_CC guard_VVI all_DB its_APPGE treasures_NN2 ._. 
After_CS the_AT Metropolitan_JJ Museum_NN1 was_VBDZ pressured_VVN to_II hand_NN1 over_II a_AT1 collection_NN1 called_VVN the_AT Lydian_JJ Hoard_NN1 ,_, one_MC1 of_IO the_AT most_RGT valuable_JJ pieces_NN2 was_VBDZ stolen_VVN several_DA2 years_NNT2 ago_RA from_II its_APPGE new_JJ home_NN1 in_II Turkey_NP1 ._. 
Restricting_VVG the_AT export_NN1 of_IO artifacts_NN2 has_VHZ n't_XX ended_VVN their_APPGE theft_NN1 and_CC looting_VVG any_DD more_DAR than_CSN the_AT war_NN1 on_II drugs_NN2 has_VHZ ended_VVN narcotics_NN2 smuggling_VVG ._. 
Instead_RR ,_, the_AT restrictions_NN2 promote_VV0 the_AT black_JJ market_NN1 and_CC discourage_VV0 the_AT kind_NN1 of_IO open_JJ research_NN1 that_CST would_VM benefit_VVI everyone_PN1 except_II criminals_NN2 ._. 
Legitimate_JJ dealers_NN2 ,_, museums_NN2 and_CC private_JJ collectors_NN2 have_VH0 a_AT1 financial_JJ incentive_NN1 to_TO pay_VVI for_IF expert_NN1 excavation_NN1 and_CC analysis_NN1 of_IO artifacts_NN2 ,_, because_CS that_DD1 kind_NN1 of_IO documentation_NN1 makes_VVZ the_AT objects_NN2 more_RGR valuable_JJ ._. 
A_AT1 nation_NN1 could_VM maintain_VVI a_AT1 public_JJ registry_NN1 of_IO discoveries_NN2 and_CC require_VV0 collectors_NN2 to_TO give_VVI scholars_NN2 access_VV0 to_II the_AT artifacts_NN2 ,_, but_CCB that_DD1 can_VM be_VBI accomplished_VVN without_IW making_VVG everything_PN1 the_AT property_NN1 of_IO the_AT national_JJ government_NN1 ._. 
The_AT timing_NN1 of_IO Dr._NNB Hawass_NP1 's_GE current_JJ offensive_JJ ,_, as_CSA my_APPGE colleague_NN1 Michael_NP1 Kimmelman_NP1 reported_VVD ,_, makes_VVZ it_PPH1 look_VVI like_II retribution_NN1 against_II the_AT Westerners_NN2 who_PNQS helped_VVD prevent_VVI an_AT1 Egyptian_NN1 from_II becoming_VVG the_AT leader_NN1 of_IO Unesco_NP1 ,_, the_AT United_JJ Nation_NN1 's_GE cultural_JJ agency_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB whatever_DDQV the_AT particular_JJ motivation_NN1 ,_, there_EX is_VBZ no_AT doubt_NN1 that_CST the_AT cultural-property_JJ laws_NN2 have_VH0 turned_VVN archeological_JJ discoveries_NN2 into_II political_JJ weapons_NN2 ._. 
In_II his_APPGE book_NN1 "_" Who_PNQS Owns_VVZ Antiquity_NN1 ?_? "_" ,_, 
James_NP1 Cuno_NP1 argues_VVZ that_CST scholars_NN2 have_VH0 betrayed_VVN their_APPGE principles_NN2 by_II acquiescing_VVG to_II politicians_NN2 who_PNQS have_VH0 exploited_VVN antiquities_NN2 to_TO legitimize_VVI themselves_PPX2 and_CC their_APPGE governments_NN2 ._. 
Saddam_NP1 Hussein_NP1 was_VBDZ the_AT most_RGT blatant_JJ ,_, turning_VVG Iraqi_JJ archeology_NN1 museums_NN2 into_II propaganda_NN1 for_IF himself_PPX1 as_II the_AT modern_JJ Nebuchadnezzar_NN1 ,_, but_CCB other_JJ leaders_NN2 have_VH0 been_VBN just_RR as_RG cynical_JJ in_II using_VVG antiquities_NN2 to_TO bolster_VVI their_APPGE claims_NN2 of_IO sovereignty_NN1 ._. 
Dr._NNB Cuno_NP1 advocates_NN2 the_AT revival_NN1 of_IO partage_NN1 ,_, the_AT traditional_JJ system_NN1 in_II which_DDQ archeologists_NN2 digging_VVG in_II foreign_JJ countries_NN2 would_VM give_VVI some_DD of_IO their_APPGE discoveries_NN2 to_II the_AT host_NN1 country_NN1 and_CC take_VV0 others_NN2 home_RL ._. 
That_DD1 way_NN1 both_DB2 sides_NN2 benefit_VV0 ,_, and_CC both_DB2 sides_NN2 have_VH0 incentives_NN2 to_TO recover_VVI antiquities_NN2 before_II looters_NN2 beat_VV0 them_PPHO2 to_II it_PPH1 ._. 
As_II the_AT director_NN1 of_IO the_AT Art_NN1 Institute_NN1 of_IO Chicago_NP1 ,_, Dr._NNB Cuno_NP1 has_VHZ his_APPGE own_DA obvious_JJ motives_NN2 for_IF acquiring_VVG foreign_JJ antiquities_NN2 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 makes_VVZ no_AT apology_NN1 for_IF wanting_VVG to_TO display_VVI Middle_JJ Eastern_JJ statues_NN2 to_II Midwesterners_NP1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 is_VBZ in_II the_AT nature_NN1 of_IO our_APPGE species_NN to_TO connect_VVI and_CC exchange_NN1 ,_, "_" Dr._NNB Cuno_NP1 writes_VVZ ._. 
"_" And_CC the_AT result_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 common_JJ culture_NN1 in_II which_DDQ we_PPIS2 all_DB have_VH0 a_AT1 stake_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ not_XX ,_, and_CC can_VM never_RR be_VBI ,_, the_AT property_NN1 of_IO one_MC1 modern_JJ nation_NN1 or_CC another_DD1 ._. "_" 
