Intercepting ancient artefacts
Exactly one month ago, on 24 July 2021, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Louisville, with the help from officers at the National Targeting Centre, intercepted a shipment containing 13 pieces of ancient artefacts from the 10th century. Arriving from Mexico, the shipment was heading to a residence in Sumter, SC.
A subject matter expert in Ancient Americas determined that the collection dated from the post-classic period to the Aztec era, 1100 to 1532 AD. It included one skull and 12 adzes (tools for chopping).
Since the beginning of fiscal year 2020 CBP has recorded 21 seizures of cultural property with a domestic value of over USD 18 million. CBP partners with immigration and customs enforcement in the detection, interception, investigation, and repatriation of cultural property. (ah)