The Washington Post reported on Sunday that the National Museum of Antiquities in Baghdad was looted of its priceless collection and “an extensive card catalog of every item the museum owns, some of which date back 5,000 years, was destroyed.” The deputy director of the museum is quoted as saying, “our heritage is finished.” According to the New York Times, looters “carried away at least 170,000 artifacts.” Here is link to an AP photo of one of the museum’s looted vaults.
For a look at the breathe of the treasures that have been lost, go to the Iraqi Museum website, which provides commentary about the collection, and several dozen photos as well.
As a follow-up to these events, U.S. Culture Advisers Resign Over Iraq Museum Looting.