The hunt is on for priceless antiquities looted from the Iraq Museum in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq. The international effort is playing out in Baghdad, at Iraq's borders-and now in cyberspace. Scholars at the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute have launched a Web site that could help trap antiquities smugglers. It also affords a virtual glimpse of antiquities stolen from the museum collection.

Many priceless Mesopotamian artifacts are missing from the Iraq Museum following its well-publicized looting. International experts say professional thieves were behind the job. Museum records were partially destroyed during the museum rampage, leaving the world with only a scattering of digital images and information on missing artifacts.

The full extent of the theft remains sketchy. Some hold out hope that most treasured artifacts were moved for safekeeping. Some artifacts have trickled back to the museum, intercepted by authorities or returned by citizens under an amnesty agreement. But most artifacts have yet to surface.

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National Geographic