thanks for the link . i've seen a few articals on these batteries. i may be mistaken but my understanding is the jars were robbed from the bagdad museum during the chaos of the fall of the city. and the looting that ensued. the conclusion from experts is that a team of profesionals with a specific shoping list swooped in and systematicly robbed some of the most precious artifacts.i hope i am mistaken and the jars still reside there as opposed to the private collection of some millionare,