FBI Returns Ancient Mayan Artifacts to Guatemala

LOS ANGELES, CA - Federal authorities in Los Angeles today repatriated ancient Mayan artifacts to the Guatemalan government after they were recovered from the estate of a deceased art collector.

The Mayan artifacts are at least a thousand years old, according to the FBI. The collection of seven limestone sculptures was turned over to the FBI by a person handling the estate of the collector, who has not been publicly identified.

"The cultural significance of these pre-Columbian artifacts is priceless to the people of Guatemala," said Deirdre Fike, the FBI's assistant director in charge of the agency's Los Angeles office. "I'm very pleased that the FBI's Art Crime Team was able to facilitate the return of these ancient treasures to their proper home."
The person who surrendered the artifacts did not know when the sculptures were brought to the United States, according to the FBI.
The U.S. has a bilateral agreement with the Republic of Guatemala which restricts the importation of archaeology artifacts into the U.S. In the spirit of the agreement, the FBI is facilitating the return of the artifacts, Fike said.

According to the FBI, "Three of the pieces are part of a Mayan hieroglyphic inscription carved in limestone with provenance originating in the Petexbatun Region of Guatemala. The pieces are believed to date to the Late Classic Maya Era (A.D. 600-900). Experts conclude these fragments were discovered outside of a ruined temple building and that the inscription is part of a text which recorded the passage of time, a calendar of sorts. Four of the pieces are Mayan limestone with provenance originating in the El Peru area of Guatemala and are believed to date to the Early Classic Period (A.D. 400- 600). Experts conclude these pieces are consistent with Mayan iconography, and that the carvings are associated with symbolism depicting an earth or mountain monster."

City News Service