- The pre-Hispanic artifacts, which date from the 3rd to 7th centuries AD, will be returned via diplomatic pouch.
Today, at the Mexican embassy in Italy, Culture Secretary Alejandra Frausto witnessed the repatriation of 43 Mexican archaeological pieces. The recovery and restitution of the pieces is the result of the work of the Italian Carabinieri for the Protection of Cultural Heritage. The pre-Hispanic artifacts, which date from the 3rd to 7th centuries AD, will return to Mexico via diplomatic pouch.
Also present at the ceremony were the Mexican ambassador to Italy, Carlos García de Alba, and the Commander of the Carabinieri for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, General Vincenzo Molinese.
Secretary Frausto said: “Today, we are celebrating. Today, the friendship between Mexico and Italy is crowned with an extraordinary act of generosity: 43 pieces of Mexican history begin the journey back to where they came from; 43 fragments of ancient cultures that are the essence of our country's greatness.
She thanked the Italian and Mexican authorities for making this possible, saying that Mexico's priority projects, such as the Maya Train, are not only respectful of our heritage, but also protect and preserve it.
She explained that, in the last four years, Mexico has strongly protested the auction and sale of artifacts that belong to our cultures. "In Mexico, the slogan of this movement that has gained great strength and is strongly promoted by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, is "My heritage is not for sale."
She said that this campaign has awakened the awareness of collectors, private companies and citizens in general from around the world, for example, in Italy, Sweden, the United States, Germany and South Korea, who have voluntarily returned pre-Hispanic pieces to Mexico. So far, more than 11,500 archaeological and historical pieces have been recovered and several international auctions or online sales have been cancelled.
Commander Molinese said he was happy with the results of the investigations carried out by the Carabinieri for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, which frequently recovers ancient pieces and works from other countries. "This is yet another example of the absolute uniqueness of the Carabineros in this very important area," he said.
Lastly, Mexico's ambassador to Italy, Carlos García de Alba, said that, “For Mexico, the preservation of our cultural heritage is a priority. We greatly appreciate that Italy is always willing to collaborate in the return of our national heritage. Italy is a pioneer in this matter and we always appreciate the highly professional work of the Carabinieri Corps for the Protection of Cultural Heritage," he concluded.