Four pre-Columbian artefacts seized by Australian Border Force returned to Mexico

Four pre-Columbian artefacts that were seized by the Australian Border Force in March have been handed back to Mexico.

Four cultural pieces returned to Mexico after their seizure by the Australian Border Force. Source: Embassy of Mexico in Canberra

Highlights

• Australia returns four seized archaeological pieces to Mexico after they were confiscated by Border Force
• The pieces were purchased online from a US-based seller and were being shipped to three buyers in Australia
• The items were verified and are being sent back to Mexico inside a diplomatic pouch

Mexico scored a triumph in the recovery of its cultural artefacts after Australian authorities handed over four pre-Columbian pieces, that were confiscated by the Australian Border Force earlier this year en route to three Australian buyers.

Three of the objects date back to the 200-500 CE period, while one piece dates back to between 800 and 200 BCE, according to a statement from the Mexican Embassy in Canberra, which confirmed that the pieces are from the Jalisco or Nayarit states.

 

---

In March, the Australian government informed the Embassy of Mexico that the Australian Border Force had intercepted four Mexican cultural objects upon entry into Australia.

The objects were purchased online by three Australian individuals, from a seller based in the US.

The objects have been verified for authenticity and were officially handed over to the Mexican Ambassador to Australia, Eduardo Peña-Haller, on Wednesday.

“The Mexican embassy is very grateful for the support of the Australian government, particularly the Australian Border Force and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, in the recovery of these objects, which form part of our country's historical heritage,” a statement from the embassy said.

“The embassy reminds members of the public, both in Australia and Mexico, that the commercialisation of objects that form part of the national heritage goes against Mexican and international laws.”

Mexican Ambassador Eduardo Peña Haller (R) and Australian government representative Pip Spence. Source: Mexican Embassy in Canberra

The items will be sent back to Mexico inside a diplomatic pouch.

Among the objects is a sculpture of three dancing women from the Tlatilco culture, a polychrome figure of a seated man from Nayarit, as well as two pieces, from Jalisco, that represent seated women.

A Chinesco Polychrome seated figure (pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit – 200-500 CE) Source: Embassy of Mexico in Canberra

In the fight against the illegal trafficking of cultural items, Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History last year recovered more than 4500 archaeological and historical pieces seized abroad and recently returned 37 objects to Peru.

This year, Mexico received 3900 copper hatchets, which are more than five centuries old, from the United States.

Read this story in Spanish here.