Guatemala
U.S. Protection of Pre-Columbian Archaeological
Materials
I. Introduction
On September 29, 1997, the Government
of the United States of America and the Government of Guatemala signed
a Memorandum of Understanding that provides
U.S. import restrictions on archaeological objects representing the Maya
of the Peten Lowlands and pre-Columbian cultures of the Highlands and
Southern Coast regions of Guatemala. The restriction went into effect
on October 3, 1997, the date of the Federal Register notice. The
specific restriction on the import of Peten Maya archaeological material
has been in effect on an interim emergency
basis since April 15, 1991, and continues to be in effect under this agreement.
The restricted objects may enter the
United States if accompanied by an export permit issued by the Government
of Guatemala; or, if they left Guatemala prior to the date of publication
in the Federal Register (October
3, 1997 for Highland and Southern Coast materials from Guatemala and April
15, 1991 for Lowland Peten Maya materials.)
This import restriction complements
the 1973 Pre-Columbian Monumental or Architectural
Sculpture or Murals Statute which restricts the importation of parts
or fragments of monuments originating in Guatemala and other Central and
South American countries where pre-Columbian cultures prospered. Any such
monumental or architectural sculpture or mural may not be imported into
the U.S. without an export license issued by the country of origin.
II.
Description of Artifacts Subject to Restriction
Restricted pre-Columbian artifacts
include polychrome ceramic vases, bowls, plates and jars, drums, figurines,
whistles, stamps and effigy vessels. Also restricted are artifacts of
jade, obsidian, flint, alabaster, calcite, shell and bone.
A description
of the artifacts was published by the U.S. Customs Service on October
3, 1997, in the Federal Register. The Guatemala
Image Collection provides illustrations of some categories of restricted
artifacts.
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