State
US to return 4,000 archaeological items to Mexico
Posted: Oct 25, 2012 2:01 AM
Updated: Oct 25, 2012 2:02 AM
EL PASO, Texas (AP) The United States is returning to Mexico more than 4,000 architectural artifacts agents have seized at several places across the nation.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says the cache of items mostly date from before the landings of European explorers on the North American continent. The lot includes pre-Columbian stones used to grind corn and other grains, statues, figurines, copper hatchets and other artifacts. ICE spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa says the seizures were made in El Paso, Phoenix, Chicago, Denver, San Diego and San Antonio.
The relics will be shown at a Thursday ceremony at the Mexican consulate in El Paso. Mexican Consul General Jacob Prado and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations officials will attend the ceremony.
