The Netherlands has returned 343 pre-Hispanic era artefacts to Panama in what is being considered to be the “largest repatriation of archaeological pieces in history”. The move came in response to a widespread campaign in Panama to bring back the artefacts which were taken away in the 1900s.
The shipments of artefacts are part of a government push to protect Panamanian cultural heritage
The Foreign Ministry said another repatriation of ancient artefacts would come from Italy. It gave no further details. The shipments are part of a government push to protect Panamanian cultural heritage and fight illegal trafficking, it said, without explaining how the pieces had left Panama.
“It is a valuable pre-Hispanic ceramic material that represents for Panama the rescue of part of its identity, of history as a source of social cohesion and collective pride,” the Foreign Ministry said. Panama’s culture ministry will take permanent custody of the artefacts, which are set to join a collection in the Reina Torres de Arauz archaeological museum in the country’s capital.
Panama is a signatory to the 1970 Convention
Panama is a signatory to the 1970 Convention. It deals with steps which should be “adopted to prohibit and prevent the import, export and transfer of illicit ownership of cultural property”.
The ceramics were in possession of the Leiden University in the Netherlands. The institution was looking to give them back to Panama. According to Reuters, Panama’s ambassador to the Netherlands – Elizabeth Ward Neiman, led the discussions which led to the completion of the transfer.
