Looting of relics and cultural assets is a problem. A famous example that is practically a meme is the British Museum. England has looted relics from half the world, and although it can “print” copies, they refuse because they claim they will take better care of them than their countries of origin (and because they are an intriguing tourist attraction, of course). On the other hand, there are moving parts in smuggling, and here Mexico has to add another victory to the large list of heritage seized in recent years.

In the exhibit, “Homecoming. Confiscated Archaeological Heritage,” the National Institute of Anthropology and History aims to raise awareness about the dangers of moving these items and their incredible value to indigenous peoples.

traveling relics. Mexico is a mine for archaeologists and researchers. In recent months (partly by chance, but also thanks to the latest technologies) we have been finding a lot of archaeological remains. These range from hidden pyramids to bones with millennia behind them. But there are times when these relics or remnants of the past are found not on land, but in the hands of smugglers.

Approximately 2,100 items have been seized in Mexico since the 1960s. Many of these objects, seized in different operations conducted by both Mexican judicial authorities and the United States Customs and Border Protection, are currently in the custody of the INAH Sonora Center.

coming home. In this center, INAH exhibits 96 archaeological artifacts, including all kinds of objects, as well as some human remains. And the fact is that the loot seized by smugglers for more than 60 years is the most diverse and important for the cultural heritage of various regions of the country.

An example of this is that the 96 pieces exhibited at the INAH museum in Sonora represent the cultural richness of Sonora as well as regions such as Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán or La Cuenca. Mexican. An exhibition that can be viewed freely and highlights the diversity of civilizations that lived in pre-Hispanic Mexico.

It costs. The aim of the smugglers was to sell parts that were “loot” obtained through activities such as looting or buying and selling on the black market. More recently, one hundred items were also seized that had illegally crossed the border into the United States with the intention of entering the North American country and integrating into the black market once inside.

Researchers underline that these pieces were not properly protected, which could easily damage them, and that the hundreds of remains serve as examples of cooperation between organizations and authorities.

Raising awareness about heritage. Beyond representing the riches of past civilizations in the exhibition, INAH now wants to raise awareness about the efforts and international cooperation required to bring these cultural assets back to its country. It also aims to raise public awareness about investigative activities and legal efforts to preserve Mexican heritage.

Martha Oliva Solís, director of the Sonora Regional Museum, explained that this exhibition “highlights INAH’s commitment to complying with the Federal Law on Monuments and Archaeological, Artistic and Historic Sites in matters of preservation and national registration of collections.” the complex social history of these irreplaceable cultural assets”.

If you’re in the Sonora area and want to take a look at the exhibit, you can do so Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but ultimately the point about all of this is not only the unearthing of cultural items, but also the ability to study the history of the people and the museums Significant efforts are also being made to save those in the wrong hands so that the works can be enjoyed.

Pictures | CONFIDENCE

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