The Consulate General of Mexico in New York is pleased to inform that, in recent days, the first voluntary restitution of Mexican archaeological artifacts on behalf of Colgate University towards the Mexican government was carried out.
This restitution consists of 67 archaeological pieces that will be repatriated to Mexico in the near future, and is the result of the good will of both parties to reconnect people with their history, as well as to strengthen the ties of cultural and academic cooperation between the Mexican government and Colgate University.
At the restitution ceremony, the Consul General of Mexico in New York, Jorge Islas López, said: “I am proud to take the first step today in what we anticipate will be a long journey of friendship and collaboration. This effort not only represents a powerful bond of partnership between Colgate University and the Consulate General of Mexico in New York, but also places Colgate among a distinguished list of cultural institutions that, with great conviction, are committed to rectifying the damage caused by colonial practices of collecting and displaying treasures. From the Consulate General of Mexico in New York, we congratulate this spirit and the new concept of anthropology, museology, and history. We hope that our collaboration will contribute to achieving the goal of historical justice that all people deserve.”
President of Colgate University Brian W. Casey said: “Mexico rightly values its cultural heritage. Careful and thoughtful repatriation ensures that our engagement with Mexico’s archaeological materials is done by invitation and agreement, fostering an intellectual exchange that has mutual respect at its heart.”