So far this year, Peru’s Culture Ministry has recovered 93 cultural heritage artifacts including archaeological, historic and paleontological pieces.
Cultural Heritage Protection General Directorate staff seized 26 relics at Lima-based Jorge Chavez International Airport: 7 dolls made from archaeological textile fragments and 19 fossil specimens, ranging from ammonites to shark teeth of different sizes.
On the other hand, a fossil bivalve was ready for shipment at Peru's Serpost postal service; its final destination was Israel.
Also, 2 Cusco dolls —made from ancient textile fragments— were going to Montreal (Canada).
A different package was prepared to reach the UK. It contained a small skull with hair and beard, and a wooden peg on the nose. The shipment was supposed to be 'clothing.'
Seizure proceeded in every case to prevent artifacts from leaving the country.
Officials at the Santa Rosa border checkpoint in southern Tacna region recovered 15 beads and charms of malacological and lithic material that would have been worn with necklaces in ancient times, and 42 fossils of different species, including sea urchin, ammonites and bivalves.
Personnel at Callao Port found 6 lithic tools (axes, amulets and more) and a fossil plant, whose destination was Brazil. Verification process was carried out in coordination with Maritime Customs Authority.
A total of 6,207 items have been verified, 885 people assisted, and 247 cultural heritage artifacts recovered since August last year.
It is worth noting Culture Ministry permanent staff facilitates shipment of handicrafts, replicas and similar objects to contribute to Peruvian craft exports.
(END) NDP/RES/RMB/MVB
Published: 4/7/2017