New York, United States, September 27, 2024 – The cultural artefacts have been returned to Colombia from private collections in the United States, advancing the ongoing efforts to recover the country's heritage.
This repatriation includes archaeological and ethnographic items from the James Lawrence collection and pieces from an anonymous source. James Lawrence, a former American Peace Corps volunteer in Putumayo from 1970 to 1972, acquired local funerary objects, known as "huacas," during his time there.
In 1972, he brought dozens of items—including masks and clay figurines—back to New York. After Lawrence passed away in June 2023, his stepdaughter, Jessica Lawrence, identified the objects and contacted the Colombian Embassy in Washington. The Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History (ICANH) later verified their importance. An additional anonymous collection, handed to the Embassy in March 2024, was also found to include pieces of Colombia's national archaeological heritage.
"The return of these 115 cultural items is an important step in protecting Colombia's heritage and highlights the value of international cooperation. We are thankful to the private collectors that have contributed to this effort and encourage others who may still hold Colombian artefacts to assist in their return. This is not only about preserving our history but also about reinforcing ties between nations and respecting cultural heritage globally," said Daniel García-Peña, Ambassador of Colombia to the United States.
The return was made possible through collaboration between ICANH, Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Colombian Armed Forces. The process also falls under the "Agreement on the Imposition of Import Restrictions on Archaeological and Ethnological Materials from Colombia," which aims to prevent the illicit trade of cultural goods. The items, returned aboard the presidential plane following the United Nations General Assembly, signal continued progress in preserving Colombia's cultural identity and strengthening international partnerships in heritage protection.
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