Mickey:

In response to your Camera column last Thursday, I would have 
taken a few of the best items I could find, brought them back 
to the States and attempted to raise money to do a proper 
excavation. One would have to convince the Turkmenistan
government that the best tourism is educational, that tourists
(local and foreign) would benefit from learning about this
part of their heritage.

I have a hard time relating to "obligations to past generations",
if their (the past generations) remains are being destroyed.
If I were dead and being run over by earth movers, I would be
pleased if someone saved some part of my pre-existence.

--Ben