Mexico City, Mexico — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its Legal Consulting Office, delivered 52 archaeological pieces to the INAH. The pieces were handed over to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) after being surrendered to consulates in the U.S.
Individuals who had the pieces voluntarily contacted the Embassy of Mexico at its consulates in the cities of New York, Sacramento and San Francisco. All 52 pieces were delivered to the INAH over the weekend.
Following the reports prepared by specialists from the INAH, it was concluded that in accordance with the Federal Law on Archaeological, Artisti and Historical Monuments and Zones, these artifacts belong to the nation’s cultural heritage.
The objects exhibit stylistic features of the Mexica, Teotihuacan and Zapotec cultures, and were crafted between 500 BCE and 1521 CE.
This batch of restitutions adds to the more than 2,000 cultural objects returned during the first year of government of President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, whose administration has the defense of cultural heritage and our roots as one of the guiding principles of its foreign policy.
The Government of Mexico reiterates its commitment to preserving the cultural identity of Mexicans, and to continue with inter-institutional work and international cooperation to combat the illicit trafficking of heritage assets and return them to their places of origin.
