Peruvian Ministry Repatriates Over 4,000 Culturally Significant Items from Around the World
The Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that more than 4,600 culturally significant items have been successfully repatriated to their country of origin from various parts of the world. These artifacts include textiles, ceramics, and clothing that hold immense historical and cultural value for the South American nation.
The return of these treasures was achieved through collaborative efforts between Peru’s Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, local authorities, consulates, and embassies in the countries where these objects were located. The repatriation process began in 2019, with over 7,000 pieces of cultural heritage recovered to date.
Among the items returned were approximately 4,556 archaeological pieces from the late American archaeologist and anthropologist John Rowe’s collection. Thirty-three additional artifacts were returned from Italy, twenty-one of which had been seized by Italian authorities from an art gallery. The repatriated items span various historical periods and cultures, including the Nazca, Wari, Inca, Paracas, and Chimú civilizations.
A silver incense burner from the 18th or 19th century was returned to Peru from Portugal, while archaeological items were voluntarily returned from Germany and the Netherlands. Four pre-Hispanic ceramics were also repatriated from Switzerland after seizure by their authorities.
Peruvian Foreign Minister Javier González-Olaechea expressed his pride in Peru’s achievements during a ceremony marking the return of these cultural treasures, stating, “Since 2019, Peru has managed to recover more than 7,000 pieces of its cultural heritage. We are now an international benchmark in the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property.”
Culture Minister Leslie Urteaga emphasized the importance of these artifacts to Peruvian identity, declaring, “The cultural legacy of Peru is a fundamental pillar for the formation of our identity as Peruvians.”
These repatriated artifacts symbolize not only the richness and diversity of Peru’s history but also its commitment to preserving and protecting its cultural heritage for future generations.
