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Tuesday, 27th September 2005 (3989 views)

Pre-Columbian Peruvian artefacts including gold jewellery have been recovered from addresses in South Florida following a joint US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) operation.

It is thought that the artefacts, which date from 1500BC, were smuggled into the US from Peru.

In addition to gold jewellery, a clay vessel believed to be around 3,500 years old and a burial shroud associated with Persian royalty were among the artefacts.

After recovery, the items were preliminarily examined and authenticated by an art historian from Florida International University.

John Paletti, acting special agent-in-charge in Miami thanked the ICE and BSO for the recovery of the cultural treasures.

"These items are not souvenirs. They are the thread of a nation rich in cultural heritage," he said.

The Peruvian government is now entitled to claim the archaeological artefacts.

 

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