HSI Seattle Participates in Repatriation Ceremony, Returning Artifacts to Mexico

SEATTLE — On June 5, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle and the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle gathered for a ceremony marking the repatriation of ancient artifacts, estimated to be thousands of years old, to Mexico.

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In January 2022, HSI Seattle received information that a Seattle resident was in possession of ancient artifacts originating from Chiapas, Mexico. The owner of the artifacts, which were inherited from a family member after being obtained in the 1940s, wished to turn them over to law enforcement for the purpose of returning the artifacts to Mexico. In total, 36 items were turned over to HSI Seattle Border Enforcement Security Task Force Financial personnel, consisting of:

• 20 artifacts (11 fragments, 3 figurines, 2 pieces of string, 2 pieces of wood, 1 bowl, 1 shell).
• 6 artifacts (bowl, cup, figurine, pottery fragment, rock, handle).
• 1 bundle of fabric.
• 2 fabrics.
• 3 bowls.
• 4 pottery fragments.

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The artifacts were authenticated by the Penn Cultural Heritage Center as well as the National Institute of History and Anthropology in Mexico and are believed to date back to the formative period.

“These objects hold significant meaning for our neighbors in Mexico, and their return is as much about preserving history as it is about allowing the world a glimpse into an important period of time before either of our countries existed,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “HSI Seattle special agents have performed a great service to the local and international communities, in turning a tip into the repatriation of ancient artifacts that will promote global cultural understanding.”

One of the primary goals of the HSI Cultural Property, Art and Antiquities (CPAA) Program is to protect and preserve the world’s cultural heritage and knowledge of past civilizations. CPAA conducts training and outreach, supports cultural property investigations, and enhances international relations by working with foreign governments and citizens to return their nation’s looted cultural heritage and stolen artwork.

Since 2009, the HSI CPAA Program has partnered with the U.S. Department of State’s Cultural Heritage Center and the Smithsonian Institution to train special agents within HSI, as well as the FBI, customs officers, and prosecutors on trends in the illicit cultural property market, conducting criminal investigations, and properly handling cultural property. Since 2007, HSI has repatriated over 20,000 objects to more than 40 countries and institutions worldwide.

While this is a significant number, HSI notes that a single artifact or object recovered and repatriated is a success in preserving cultural heritage. In addition to its work facilitating repatriations, HSI CPAA continues to execute its mission to investigate leads, work alongside partners, and pursue individuals and translational criminal networks engaged in the smuggling of cultural property, art and antiquities.