(Photo: News Central / National Monuments Council In Chile)
In one of the largest returns of stolen artifacts in history, Chilean authorities restored 117 fossils ranging from 400 million years old to Morocco in a repatriation ceremony at the National Library of Chile in Santiago. These artifacts discovered by smugglers and found by Chilean customs officials represent an important step in the continuing war against cultural property trafficking.
Celebrating Collaborative Success
The official Chile and Morocco handover was another way of illustrating the relationship between the two nations. Nelida Pozo Kudo, the head of the Chilean National Heritage Service, praised the mutual willingness to enforce international law and protect cultural artifacts from illegal contact and entry. She added the importance of Chilean customs taking the Moroccan-origin fossils and returning them to the country of origin.
Acknowledging the Gravity of Cultural Theft
Kenya El Ghali, Morocco's ambassador to Chile, commented on the matter and noted that smuggling artifacts and fossils that are millions of years old might be even more serious than trafficking drugs. The end of the ceremony is the signing of the agreement on cultural cooperation between the two countries as evidence of the Parties' readiness to contribute to the protection of cultural property.
Morocco's Pursuit of Restitution
Morocco's struggle to seek repatriation of looted and trafficked cultural objects has strengthened in recent years. It is also important to note that in 2021, France returned about 25,000 archaeological objects to Morocco amid a growing trend of restituting cultural heritage. These objects seized by French authorities from suspected antiquities traffickers in raids conducted over ten years after the other reflected a practical success in controlling illicit trafficking and illegal trade in cultural property.
(Photo: ARTnews / National Monuments Council In Chile)
A Symbol of International Solidarity
The restitution of the fossils to Morocco is a legal requirement and a matter of ethos as it relates to the recognition and respect for the cultural patrimony of countries and peoples. This is one indicator that awareness of the repatriation of looted artifacts and historical injustices is gaining ground. While countries continue to cooperate in an attempt to curb illegal trafficking and encourage cultural heritage conservation, the return of these fossils is an excellent indication that the world is united and ready to act together.
Recently, there have been major efforts to return cultural artifacts to their original countries due to countries' efforts to return cultural artifacts and address past injustices. The recovery of the 117 fossils to Morocco can, therefore, be termed a great step towards achieving this struggle against smuggling and the obliteration of mankind's rich history through collaboration and cooperation for cultural heritage maintenance.
The Role of International Law
The return of cultural property is regulated by many different international instruments, most notably the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. These agreements serve as the basis for countries to collaborate in eliminating illegal trafficking and restoring looted cultural property.
The return of 117 fossils to Morocco by the United States reminds us of the need to preserve cultural items and artifacts. It is a milestone in the Moroccan people's struggle against illegal traffic and trade in cultural property. However, while most nations in the world strive to overcome these challenges, there should be no deviations from the norms of international law and the encouragement of cooperation and mutual assistance in protecting the cultural heritage of the international community.
