Restitution of Mexican Cultural Heritage, event chaired by the Mexican Ambassador to the United States, Esteban Moctezuma Barragan.
On November 18, 2024, at the headquarters of the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles, an event presided by the Ambassador of Mexico to the United States, Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, took place for the restitution of 79 archaeological pieces received anonymously, which are part of the national heritage. These pieces have been preliminarily identified by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) as archaeological movable property belonging to the cultural heritage of the Mexican nation. The report made by INAH experts confirms that they are objects elaborated by diverse cultures and periods of the pre-Hispanic era.
The objects come from different Mesoamerican regions, including western Mexico, the Gulf coast, the central highlands, the Oaxaca area and the Mayan area. This lot includes pieces from the Maya and Teotihuacan cultures.
Among the restituted objects are: three Capacha style vases, of great value and being the oldest of the lot, made of modeled clay with polished surface, belonging to the Capacha culture, which were manufactured between 2000 and 1200 BC. Two anthropomorphic figures of clay with smiling character of Totonaco style and manufactured in the north zone of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico between 650 to 900 A.D. As well as an anthropomorphic figure of molded clay with remains of pigment in blue color. It is a standing female character, dressed with circular earrings, necklace and skirt with sash. Originally from the Mayan culture between 200 and 900 AD.
These pieces represent an invaluable testimony of the richness of the pre-Hispanic civilizations that inhabited Mexican territory and contribute to their study and better understanding. The repatriation of these goods is in line with the efforts of the Government of Mexico to preserve and protect the cultural heritage of our country, in collaboration with institutions and citizens committed to this cause.
The Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles has contributed in the restitution of important archaeological property, actively participating in the recovery of this significant lot of 79 pieces, being the first in the current administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.
The Government of Mexico wishes to recognize Dr. Mary Miller, director of the Getty Research Institute, art historian and expert on ancient Mexico, who has been instrumental in the restitution of these pieces that were in the possession of a private collector. She also studies the provenance of ancient Mexican art and the routes that brought these objects into private hands.
In this context, Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma invites: “private collectors and institutions in possession of Mexican historical, archaeological or paleontological heritage assets to voluntarily return them for the benefit of Mexican and world culture.”
