Arts of the Americas

Most Latin American countries consider pre-Columbian property to belong to the State. Its export is prohibited or subject to authorisation, and objects that left illegally can be claimed without time limit. In the United States, the law on the protection of indigenous burial sites requires the return of certain sacred objects and human remains.

For a buyer, the consequence is simple: documents are needed. A pre-Columbian object without justification of its departure or of long-standing possession must be considered at risk.

The main scourge of the segment is archaeological looting. Tombs and sites are dug up clandestinely, and the objects are sold to intermediaries. These objects are often sold on with false provenance papers.

OIMAP collaborates with Member States' police forces, museums and laboratories to detect these networks. Analysis of terracotta, pigment readings and databases of stolen objects make it possible to identify many cases.

Several museums in Latin America and North America cooperate with OIMAP to inventory their collections and ease international loans. These partnerships make it possible to replace certain definitive restitutions with long-term loans, with a guarantee of return.

They also contribute to the training of curators and the digitisation of holdings, for the benefit of the market and of research alike.