"Bought for 130,000 Won"…Maya Era Artifact Found in Germany Returned to Home Country

An ancient Maya artifact discovered last year in a German farm basement and returned to Guatemala on the 5th (local time).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] Maya-era artifacts were discovered in the basement of a farm in Germany and have been returned to Mexico and Guatemala.

On the 5th (local time), German local media Deutsche Welle reported that the government of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, returned 13 artifacts including figurines and vessels to the Mexican and Guatemalan ambassadors stationed in Berlin. These artifacts were created between AD 250 and 850, with 11 of them made in present-day Guatemala and the remaining 2 identified as artifacts from the Teotihuacan civilization near Mexico City.

The 13 artifacts were discovered last year in the basement of a farm in Saxony-Anhalt. The farm’s former owner had stored the artifacts, which he had purchased at flea markets since 2007, along with two guns owned by his grandfather that were used during World War II, in the basement. Last year, he contacted the police to report that he possessed illegal weapons, and when the police visited the farm, they also found the artifacts wrapped in newspaper.

According to Deutsche Welle, the owner bought these items for just 100 euros (about 137,000 KRW) at a flea market in Leipzig in 2003. However, he explained that he did not know where the artifacts were made or their value, and the police suspect that looters stole the artifacts and sold them on the black market.

The Mexican and Guatemalan ambassadors, who received the returned artifacts, called it an excellent precedent and expressed hope that others who personally possess such artifacts would follow this example. Reiner Haseloff, governor of Saxony-Anhalt, stated, "Items looted or stolen from former colonies are not only in museums but also in basements and attics," and explained, "The return ceremony was held to raise awareness about the illegal trade of cultural heritage."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.