08:30 | Washington D.C. (U.S.), Jun. 16.
The
Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) and the Peruvian Government have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate the return to Peru of the "Echenique Disc," a high-value pre-Inca artifact recognized as the symbol of the city of Cusco.
"Peru commemorates 200 years of independence this year. In recognition of this important event and the tremendous significance the disc has for the people of Peru, I am proud to mark this moment together," Monenerkit said.
"This return is consistent with the museum's mission to facilitate the continuity and renewal of Indigenous cultural traditions. We thank the Peruvian Government for collaborating with us on this achievement," he added.
For his part, Wagner thanked the directorate of the National Museum of the American Indian for the support and willingness to work jointly with Peru on cultural matters of mutual interest.
"The return of the 'Echenique Disc' constitutes a cause of deep joy for all Peruvians. It is a fact that will help to reinforce our values of unity, solidarity, and resilience and that, without a doubt, strengthens the historical and close
ties of friendship between Peru and the United States," Wagner stated.
It is worth noting that the design of the "Echenique Disc" became the official symbol and shield of the city of Cusco in 1986, being a piece with high symbolic, cultural, and national identity value for all Peruvians.
It is a circular thin sheet of metal 13.5 centimeters in diameter, approximately 90% gold, 5% silver, and 5% copper. It was made with techniques commonly used in ancient Andean metal work.
George Gustav Heye, the founder of the Museum of the American Indian—Heye Foundation (the predecessor institution to the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian), purchased the disc in 1912 from Eduard Gaffron, a German physician and antiquities collector working in Peru. Since then, the disc has been included in several exhibitions of the museum.
Use, care, and display of the "Echenique Disc" in Peru
The cooperation between the
Smithsonian Institution and the Government of Peru ensures that the use, care, and display of the "Echenique Disc" respects and conforms to the wishes and recommendations of the Indigenous communities of Cusco.
The "Echenique Disc" will be incorporated by the
Ministry of Culture into the National Inventory of Cultural Heritage of Peru.
(END) ACH/JCR/RMB/MVB
Published: 6/16/2021