Mexico City, Mexico — The Government of Mexico, through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has received 35 archaeological pieces from a private collection.
According to the opinion made by specialists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the heritage assets, recovered from a private collection during a real estate sale last year, are property of the Mexican nation.
The pieces are originally from the Cintalapa region, Chiapas, where they were made in the Classic Mesoamerican period (100 – 600 AD).
At the delivery ceremony held June 5, 2024, the consul of Mexico in Seattle, Héctor Iván Godoy Priske, highlighted the importance of the archaeological pieces and their return to the country.
“They are not only a testimony to our glorious past, but also a living reminder of the continuity of our cultural identity over time, a bridge that connects our past with our present and future.
“We are proud to facilitate the return of these important artifacts to Mexico. This act underlines our commitment to cultural heritage and international cooperation,” he said.
The restitution of these pieces is the result of cooperation between the governments of Mexico and the United States, and efforts by the Mexican Consulate in Seattle, headed by the Consul for Protection and Legal Affairs, Jorge López, in collaboration with Homeland Security.
Mexico has implemented a series of legal actions and strategies that have led to the restitution of Mexican cultural heritage located abroad thanks to the joint efforts of the Secretariats of Foreign Affairs and Culture.
The Government of Mexico reaffirms its commitment to recovering Mexican cultural heritage that is found abroad illegally.
