Iraq is a country historically plundered by conquerors, its diaspora of antiquities now gracing the world's most famous museums: London, Paris, New York, Berlin. For decades, archaeological experts have been trying to retrieve the country's heritage, with little success, most especially from the British Museum. When the British mandate ended mid-century, the overseers left Iraq with their arms full.

[Donny George] brings over a thick photo catalogue of the museum's collection. He turns the page to one particular picture: The Sacred Vase of Warka, depicting the cycle of life, carved in 3200 B.C. One of the museum's most precious antiquities- gone.

Oleg Nikishin/getty images An Iraqi man collects books from the destroyed Iraqi National Library in Baghdad yesterday. Many of Iraq's priceless ancient treasures were pillaged from museums during a wave of looting that erupted as U.S.-led forces ended Saddam Hussein's rule last week. Experts believe professional thieves were behind much of the plunder.