A long-lost clay pot
A clay pot dating back to 900-1521 AD was found and returned by the US Customs and Border Protection back to its home in Mexico. The cultural artifact, belonging to the northern region of Mexico, was handed over to Alberto Fierro, consul general for the Mexican consulate in Boston, MA. It is at least 600 years old and presumably reached the border due to the antiquities trade industry.
"Sadly, the antiquities trade is a billion-dollar industry, whereby cultural artifacts are often looted or purposely stolen and sold for personal profit,” explains Michael J. Krol, special agent in charge of homeland security investigations in New England.
Thanks to various treaties between the USA and Mexico, the customs department was able to ensure the safe repatriation of the object.
To learn more about the newest developments in Latin America, see the Latin America / Iberian Peninsula supplement of today's ITJ 09-10/2024! (mk)