if you have ever visited the British Museum, you would be astounded at the stuff that was absconded from other countries back when archaeology was more like Indiana Jones than the scientific field it is today. I mean, the Mesopotamian stuff alone would technically belong in Iraq....but would the world have access to it if it were in Iraq? The British Museum is visited by so many people so items that are carefully, accurately displayed there are for everyone to see.....I mean, i dont know about you guys but i really have no desire to go to Iraq to see Assyrian wall tablets......when the Brits can keep them safe.