From the 700s to the 1200s, Baghdad was an Intellectual Cent 10 4, 6:29pm

@Steeeve they are their assets, their wealth. And they at least keep them well preserved. From their point of view, if they are discovered, they will be taken from them and they could be destroyed.

I think that there are some people who, if asked the right way, would allow for some of theirs to be studied (with conditions) if it's on a personal title (i.e. just a single trusted researcher, not a group or corporation).