Peru's Foreign Affairs Minister Nestor Popolizio handed over 130 cultural heritage items —repatriated from
Argentina and the United States— to Culture counterpart Ulla Holmquist.
The
repatriated goods belong to Chimu, Ica, Moche, Nazca, Inca, Chancay, Chiribaya, and Wari cultures. They were retrieved even through judicial proceedings.
It must be noted 15 archaeological artifacts —from Chimu and Ica cultures— were returned to Peru thanks to judicial proceedings in
Argentina.
Other 77 objects —from Moche, Nazca, Inca, and Chancay cultures— were voluntarily returned by Argentine nationals.
Finally, the UC Berkeley University's decision to return 38 cultural goods —of historical importance belonging to the Chimu, Chancay, Moche, Chiribaya, and Wari cultures— to the Peruvian Consulate in San Francisco enabled Peru to recover part of its memorabilia.
The recovery process starts with the location of items. After that, they are examined to determine if they are part of the national cultural heritage.
Once this is confirmed, the State initiates a process to demand, retrieve and repatriate them —a task carried out in close coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, the Interpol National Bureau, and the Public Ministry.
The Foreign Affairs and Culture Ministries make strenuous efforts to monitor and coordinate formal, as well as informal arrangements with individuals and
States so as to achieve the repatriation of valuable cultural heritage items.
(END) NDP/ART/RMB/MVB
Published: 5/15/2019