Mexico City, Mexico — A total of 30 archaeological pieces are being returned to Mexico from Los Angeles. In a joint statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and INAH say the pieces were delivered by Bill and Jonathan Lewis, who for the second time, provided their support for the restitution of these cultural assets.
Among the pieces are a clay rattle, a Mixtec style vessel and a head with the representation of the rain god, Tláloc. The return was made at the headquarters of the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles.
There, a ceremony was held to restitute archaeological pieces identified by the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico through the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
The preliminary opinion, prepared by INAH specialists, concluded that 30 pieces evaluated are part of the national heritage of Mexico. Among these pieces are a clay rattle, made on the Gulf Coast of Mexico during the Classic Mesoamerican period (200-900 AD), a Mixtec-style clay vessel, created in the Oaxaca region in the Mesoamerican Postclassic period (1200-1521 AD) as well as a clay head that represents the god of water, Tláloc, made in the Central Altiplano during this last period. In addition to anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figurines.
At the restitution ceremony, the Consul in charge, Gustavo Martínez Cianca, addressed a few words of gratitude to the owners of the pieces, Bill and Jonathan Lewis, who for the second time provided their support for the restitution of these archaeological monuments.
The diplomat emphasized the importance that these pieces represent for the culture and history of our country, and reiterated the commitment of the Mexican government to continue coordinating efforts in the recovery of the nation’s cultural heritage.
