The
Ministry of Culture (Mincul) received 33 archaeological cultural assets repatriated from Argentina, Belgium, the United States, and Switzerland, during an official handover ceremony held at Torre Tagle Palace, the Foreign Affairs Ministry headquarters, in Lima on Monday.
On behalf of Culture Minister Leslie Urteaga, Cultural Heritage Defense Director Fernando Lazarte received the repatriated goods "which are part of the heritage of all Peruvians."
This handover of pieces from Mochica, Nazca, Wari, Huaura, Chimu, Chancay, Lambayeque, and Inca cultures, as well as regional and temporal pre-Hispanic styles, strengthen the sovereignty over Peru's movable heritage and Mincul's commitment to its safeguarding.
An important step
"We are glad to be part of this ceremony where we can take another important step in the mission to strengthen sovereignty over our cultural heritage, a task that the Ministry of Culture has been fulfilling jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," the Cultural Heritage Defense director expressed.
"We welcome with satisfaction these 33 archaeological cultural assets repatriated from four countries across the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. To date, there have been 5,445 cultural assets repatriated over the last two years and 7,014 since 2019," Lazarte highlighted.
"From the Ministry of Culture, the necessary procedures will be carried out for the declaration as National Cultural Heritage and the subsequent registration of these 33 repatriated cultural assets so as to preserve them for future generations," he added.
Returned items
Of the pieces delivered, 29 were voluntarily handed over by citizens of those countries and 4 returned as a result of seizures.
Subsequently, the record of repatriated cultural property was signed by both ministerial authorities.
A Chimu metal rod, an Inca conopa, and 2 lithic beads from the Middle and Late Horizon periods were repatriated from Australia. These are the only 4 items recovered as a result of seizures.
Additionally, 7 Chancay ceramic pieces were returned from this Oceanian country.
A ceremonial knife made of metal originated in Lambayeque Culture was handed over from Canada.
From the United States, 7 metal knives originated in the northern coast of Peru, 2 Inca textile slings, and a textile cloth from the central coast were returned to Peru.
From Switzerland, a metal mask originated in Lambayeque culture, as well as 8 Chimu, Nazca, Huaura and Wari ceramics, a Moche sculpture, in addition to a doll made of Chancay textile fragments were returned to Peruvian soil.
(END) NDP/MVB
Published: 7/23/2024