52 Ancient Artifacts Returned to Mexico from U.S.

Mexico City, Mexico — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its Legal Advisory Office, has delivered 52 archaeological pieces to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). The artifacts were handed over to INAH after being surrendered to U.S. consulates.

The individuals who possessed the pieces voluntarily contacted the Mexican Embassy through its consulates in the cities of New York, Sacramento, and San Francisco. The 52 pieces were delivered to INAH over the weekend.

Following reports prepared by INAH specialists, it was concluded that in accordance with the Federal Law on Archaeological, Artistic, 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 created between 500 B.C. and 1521 A.D.

This batch of restitutions adds to the more than 2,000 cultural goods returned during the first year of President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s administration, whose government 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 continuing inter-institutional work and international cooperation to combat the illicit trafficking of heritage goods and return them to their places of origin.