WASHINGTON, June 1 (NNN-ANDINA) — Within the framework of the Bilateral Cultural Property Agreement between Peru and the United States, the South American country received 11 cultural assets belonging to pre-Hispanic cultures that were recovered by the US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and that will be returned to our territory.
These valuable pieces were presented at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C.
It saw the participation of Foreign Affairs Minister Javier Gonzalez-Olaechea; HSI Deputy Executive Associate Director Patrick McElwain; and Peruvian Ambassador to the United States, Alfredo Ferrero.
These eleven pieces are part of the Cultural Heritage of pre-Hispanic cultures Nazca, Chimu, Chancay, and Inca, which flourished on the Peruvian coast and Andes from 200 BC to 1500 AD).
These are ceramics of great artistic quality, a ceremonial wooden vessel, a rare piece of textile from Nazca, and an ornamental nose ring —some of which are over 2,000 years old. They encapsulate the various cultures that inhabited the Peruvian territory at that time over a span of centuries.
At the activity, Foreign Affairs Minister Gonzales-Olaechea reiterated Peru’s unwavering commitment to partnering with the United States in the global fight against illicit trafficking in cultural heritage.
Similarly, the Peruvian government official expressed his gratitude to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for their tireless efforts, which led to the successful repatriation of these invaluable pieces to Peru.
This collaborative effort underscores the shared responsibility and dedication of both nations to preserve cultural heritage that reflects an important component of our national identity. — NNN-ANDINA
