05-01-2005, 02:50 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The first few fragments were acquired by The Schøyen Collection in the summer 1996, while the bulk of the material was acquired in London 1997-2000.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It make sense. Now I can understand what was going on in London in 2000.
They were selling these artifacts in underground "open" market in London. In 2000 after a long time prices of coins and some manuscript value came down, According to unofficial "museums looters" lot of material became available after Soviet occupation so values are low. Even well printed brochures were available for collectors. I can recall some artifacts were before Ashoka period.
Mastermind behind these loot were as usual Western countries agents.
It make sense. Now I can understand what was going on in London in 2000.
They were selling these artifacts in underground "open" market in London. In 2000 after a long time prices of coins and some manuscript value came down, According to unofficial "museums looters" lot of material became available after Soviet occupation so values are low. Even well printed brochures were available for collectors. I can recall some artifacts were before Ashoka period.
Mastermind behind these loot were as usual Western countries agents.