In an unexpected benefit of the cold war's end, Russian and American archaeologists say they have discovered an ancient civilization that thrived in Central Asia more than 4,000 years ago, before being lost in the sweep of history.    The people of that area, the archaeologists say, built oasis settlements with imposing mud-brick buildings and fortifications. They herded sheep and goats and grew wheat and barley in irrigated fields. They had bronze axes, fine ceramics, alabaster and bone carvings and jewelry of gold and semiprecious stones. They left luxury goods in the graves of an elite class.  

In Ruin, Symbols on a Stone Hint at a Lost Asian Culture

Michelle Krebs column evaluates Chrysler Sebring convertible; photo (M)

BEHIND THE WHEEL/Chrysler Sebring convertible; Like Summer, Sunny and Mild

Gretchen Morgenson Market Watch column urges Harvey Pitt, chairman-designee of Securities and Exchange Commission, to bar brokerage firms from receivng money for sending customers' orders to specified trading firm or market maker; says practice, with innocent-sounding name 'payments for order flow,' would be called bribery in any other business and would be illegal; graph (M)

A Request for the Boss-to-Be at the S.E.C.

Mixed-breed dogs are becoming status symbol for celebrities; recent Great American Mutt Show was organized by interior decorators Kitty Hawks and Bunny Williams and drew socially prominent mutt lovers; photos (M)

Worst in Show

Growth spurt on Cape Cod is fueled by seniors, and towns are increasingly allowing high-density projects pitched to attract retirees; photos; map (M)

Seniors Fuel Growth Spurt on Cape Cod

Martha Bayles article profiles jazz musician Miles Davis, whose career spanned half century of changing times and musical tastes; says Davis struggled to reach three often conflicting goals: high musical art, commercial success and deep connection with his fellow African-Americans; photos (M)

Miles Davis: The Chameleon of Cool; An Innovator With Dueling Ambitions

New York Yankees defeat Baltomore Orioles, 8-5; photo (M)

Yankees Get Winning Tips From Stars Of the Past

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation schedules conference in Queens on its program to create a million new African-American homeowners (S)

POSTING: African-American Homeownership; A Conference At York College

Amanda was the last of the babies Lorraine E. Hale showed the would-be adoptive couple as they walked through Hale House in 1993. The couple said they were told the child's mother was in prison and had no interest in her. The grandparents did not want her, either.    ''She was standing up in the crib, arms out, like, ''Take me!' '' Shellie Bransford recalled of Amanda, an 8-month-old who instantly captivated her and her husband, David Seavey. Weeks later, approved by Hale House as potential adoptive parents, they took Amanda home. The next five months brought the joy of her first Christmas, first birthday and first steps. And then Lorraine Hale, president of Hale House, suddenly demanded a meeting, seized the baby, and sent her far away.  

At Hale House, Broken Bonds And Pain for a Little Girl Lost

New Jersey Devils defeat Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-1, in Eastern Conference finals; lead series 1-0; photo (M)

Devils Leave the Penguins Down in the Dumps

Survey of corporate annual meetings around the world reveals distinct cultural differences but at least one commonality: shareholders no matter where rarely succeed at changing minds of management; shareholder activism has spread from US overseas, making annual meetings rowdier in many places; survey covers Germany, France, Hong Kong, Russia, US, Switzerland and Brazil; photos; graphs (L)

At Annual Meetings Around the World, the Shots Aren't Heard

Many corporate executives now regret that they ever listened to authors, professors and prominent consultants who were warning just over a year ago that America's biggest, oldest, most properous corporations faced obliteration by dot-com insurgents and had to spend millions to fend off what now looks like a Nasdaq-fueled mass hallucination; some consultants have turned apologetic, but others are unrepentant, and most, being consultants, are simply offering a new spin on not-so-new economy; among them are Clayton M Christensen, John Hagel III, Kevin Kelly, Peter Schwartz, Robert Howe and Philip Evans; photos; chart (L)

'Getting Amazoned,' And Other Fantasies; Eek! What Have E-Consultants Wrought?

Student protests in spring of 2001 are seen less confrontational and violent than those of 1960's; if activism of late 1960's signified a more profound challenge to fabric of society, today's demonstrations--focused, tolerated and relentlessly coordinated--may be more efficient at achieving their goals; photos compare bloody antiwar protests at Harvard in 1969, with occupation of Harvard's Massachusetts Hall in 2001 (L)

The Nation: Then and Now; Allow Us to Demonstrate: Student Protest Comes of Age

 Tracking McVeigh Evidence  The evidence that led to a delay in the execution of Timothy J. McVeigh was not intentionally withheld, officials say. Lawyers for Mr. McVeigh have yet to give their view.   PAGE 17    Reviewing Hitler's Art  What if World War II had been waged with paint brushes?   WEEK IN REVIEW

INSIDE

Every few days, another tearful family arrived at coroner's court in nearby Tameside, anxiously awaiting the official proclamation that a loved one who had died years before -- usually a woman, usually elderly -- had been the victim of murder.    Everyone knows who committed the crime. He was a trusted citizen of Hyde, a family doctor who cared for its townspeople with a dedication that won him widespread adoration. But he was also a man who hid a horrible secret: Harold Frederick Shipman, 55, was England's -- and perhaps the world's -- most prolific serial killer.  

DEADLY HOUSE CALLS: A special report.; True English Murder Mystery: Town's Trusted Doctor Did It

Article traces history of vehicles with metal roofs that fold into trunks; surveys autos available today with opening tops; photos (M)

Presto! Disappearing Roofs Appear on Low-Priced Cars

A dozen House Republicans from California were seething when they met with Vice President Dick Cheney last week to discuss the state's power crisis.     Angry that Gray Davis, the state's Democratic governor, was trying to pin the blame for the problem on Republicans, the lawmakers urged the White House to fire back. Mr. Cheney, a former House leader, listened patiently as the lawmakers encouraged him and the White House to attack Mr. Davis, before tersely cutting off the clamor.   

Cheney Ever More Powerful As Crucial Link to Congress

Article describes trip aboard Chappy as Mike Landi and Art Prevete, striped bass fishermen, go on afternoon trip off Montauk, Long Island; photos (M)

ON THE WATER WITH: THE FISHERMEN; A 40-Year Love Affair With the Bass

Felicia Lee Coping column on Hungarian Pastry Shop, cafe on Amsterdam Avenue near 111th Street that is celebrating its 40th anniversary and which continues to endure despite presence of two Starbucks shops just blocks away; drawing (M)

Coffee and Charm, Not From Seattle

One of Westchester's most northern townships, it values its sense of country, and it draws young families seeking a child-centered place. By Elsa Brenner    5

If You're Thinking of Living In/Yorktown, N.Y.

Felix Trinidad scores 5th-round technical knockout over William Joppy at Madison Square Garden in New York City; wins World Boxing Assn middleweight championship; photo (M)

Trinidad Leaves No Doubt, Stopping Joppy in 5th Round

The energy industry is drilling for natural gas, building gas pipelines and constructing power plants at an unprecedented pace as companies respond to high energy prices by significantly increasing investment.    The intense activity comes as President Bush prepares to unveil a national strategy to address what he has called an energy crisis. The policy is expected to emphasize streamlining of regulations, many of them intended to protect the environment, that Bush administration officials say have caused an alarming gap in energy supplies.  

ENERGY INDUSTRY RAISES PRODUCTION AT A RECORD PACE

Two planned rental buildings offer 481 new apartments along Jersey City's expanding waterfront; developers are Lincoln Property Company of Dallas and Equity Residential Properties Trust of Chicago; rendering (M)

POSTING: A Total of 481 Apartments; Two Rentals For Waterfront In Jersey City

Article on rise in number of childen with asthma in East Harlem, which, with highest rate of asthma-related hospital visits for children of any New York neighborhood, has become magnet for research and control projects; scientists and doctors from hospitals, city agencies and universities are looking at effects of pollution, triggers like cockroaches and mice, genetic role and how people take medications; photos (L)

Breathless

Idea that race should figure in scientific research arouses some controversy, an issue raised by Food and Drug Administration authorization of study that will enroll only blacks; it is to be first clinical trial to test heart medicine designed exclusively for African-Americans; it is being sponsored by NitroMed Inc, drug's maker, and Assn of Black Cardiologists, which represents 500 black heart specialists; bitter debate erupts of studies like NitroMed's, at heart of which lies question: what role, if any, should race play in medicine and scientific research; photo (M)

The World: Skin Deep; Shouldn't a Pill Be Colorblind?

Jason Miller was an American playwright and actor. He won the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play for his play That Championship Season, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Father Damien Karras in the 1973 horror film The Exorcist, a role he reprised in The Exorcist III (1990). He later became artistic director of the Scranton Public Theatre in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where That Championship Season was set.

May 13, 2001

Headlines from May 13, 2001

In Ruin, Symbols on a Stone Hint at a Lost Asian Culture

BEHIND THE WHEEL/Chrysler Sebring convertible; Like Summer, Sunny and Mild

A Request for the Boss-to-Be at the S.E.C.

Worst in Show

Seniors Fuel Growth Spurt on Cape Cod

Billboard 200

All For You

Set This Circus Down

Now 6

Until The End Of Time

Open Letter

Notable Deaths

Historical Context for May 13, 2001