What is the current 2004 assessment of the looting of the Bagdad
museum and other Iraqui antiquities?  Google search I did yielded
mixed result and not up to date -- most were 2003 reports. Much of the
assessment is polarized politially with conservatives like Limbaugh
and the New Criterion article saying all pieces were returned and all
was overhyped.  What is the real story -- and the status as of April
04?  If this is a higher priced question than I have set, let me know
the diffiulty level.

Dear alexis22-ga,

Reports indicate that the original assessment was 13,000 items lost. A
report from 27 April 2004 now indicates there are over 15,000 items
missing.

"The latest count I heard was talking about 15,000 objects (that) are
still missing," Dr. Clemens Reichel told NBC5."
http://www.nbc5.com/news/3243596/detail.html

Dr. Clemens Reichel is from the University of Chicago, and there they
are co-ordinating the search for, and recovery of the items. Go to
this link and you will read up to date information on this search with
many links on further information.
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/IRAQ/whatsnew.html

They are compiling a database and the report on this page tells us that
"Even ten months later, however, a full damage assessment is still
missing. A complete list of all losses can only be drawn up after a
complete inventory of all remaining items has been complied, a lengthy
and laborious procedure that obstructed by the fact that the museum's
archive had been devastated during the looting. Some 12,000 - 14,000
items are now confirmed to be stolen."
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/IRAQ/dbfiles/Iraqdatabasehome.htm

You may also wish to read this in-depth report which details the
chronology of the looting of the Iraq Museum and the damage to
archaeological sites. It was written in 2003 but has been up-dated.
https://listhost.uchicago.edu/pipermail/iraqcrisis/2004-April/000626.html


I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Thank you
answerfinder

Search strategy
Started with "bagdad museum" and followed links to British Muse

Thank you for your help.  The Oriental Institute reference was
especially useful since I am a graduate of the University of Chicago
as well as having grown up as a faculty child there.  A handy citation
in a family difference of opinion!

Dear alexis22-ga,
Thank you for the tip. Pleased I could help.
answerfinder-ga