| US authority returns 412 artifacts to Peru |
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| World Affairs Talk | |
| Tuesday, 19 June 2007 | |
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The objects were seized by the US officials in south Florida after they arrested Ugo Bagnato, an Italian immigrant, specialized in the purchase and sale of rare artifacts. Some of the items that were returned included a ceramic vessel dated over 3,500 years old, and a royal cape enclosed in fire-red, yellow, sea blue and green macaw and parrot feathers. Ugo Bagnato was investigated after Broward County law enforcement officials tipped off federal authorities after an informant came across a regal cape decorated in multi-colored feathers. A specialist was brought in from a university to assist officials identify the pieces which were disrespectfully packed in a number of boxes. Authorities believe the artifacts were dug up from graves in Peru by looters and then illegally taken from the country and sold to black market dealers in the US. The United States and Peru on 18 June, agreed to extend for an additional five years the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) restricting pre-Columbian archaeological material and ethnological colonial material from importation into the United States without an export permit issued by Peru. The rich accomplishments of ancient Peruvians make the cultures of the Andean region among the most important in the development of human civilizations of antiquity and Mesoamerica. Their achievements include the construction of city complexes; advances in metal alloy technologies; and the production of unequaled textiles and jewelry, as well as unique polychrome ceramic vessels and effigies. Over time, the systematic looting of archaeological sites in Peru and the removal of ethnological material important to the religious and social mores of indigenous populations has caused irreparable loss to history and traditional practices. Back in 1997, Canada gave back 83 items to Peru include painted ceramic vessels, textiles and feathered objects, some dating back as far as the 5th century A.D. The objects were intercepted and seized by Revenue Canada customs officers because their importation into Canada was in violation of the Customs Act and the Cultural Property Export and Import Act. Bagnato, served a 17 month federal prison sentence and is now in custody awaiting deportation back to Italy. Share & Bookmark             |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 29 June 2007 ) |
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