you don't have to cut it open take an xrf to get its composition and an x-ray to get a sense of structure?,(reply>), @Heavy Metal I beg to differ we have no idea what alien technology is going on in there. X rays might disrupt the space time continuum or shift the planet off its axis or even set the sky on fire!  Oh hang on, am I awake?,(reply>), @slicedpage x rays wouldn't impact the chemistry, it's a technique that is both non-invasive and non-destructive.,(reply>), yes the contents comparatively to todays technology will be primitive but we really do not know what is in them . So tampering in any way might interfere with whatever chemistry is going on.