News item | 15-09-2023 | 3:00 PM
A Peruvian shroud has found its way back to Peru via the CITES return bin. Donné Slangen, Director General of Nature and Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) today handed over the shroud to the ambassador of Peru, Marisol Agüero Colunga. The shroud, consisting of fragments of textile and rope, came into the ownership of the ministry in a special way.
Submitted anonymously
The shroud was handed in anonymously in the CITES return box at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the treaty that regulates and, if necessary, bans international trade in endangered plant and animal species. The aim is to prevent the species from becoming extinct in the wild as a result of international trade. The return box offers the opportunity to voluntarily and anonymously hand in objects made from endangered animal and plant species that may not be sold or transferred. Examples are snakeskin shoes, coral, ivory figurines, objects obtained from an inheritance or possibly (illegally) taken from holiday.
Bring your regrets with you
A note was enclosed with the shroud. This indicated that the shroud had been brought from Peru and that the person in question regretted it afterwards. Even though the return bin is not intended for something like a shroud, the Dutch CITES Management Authority is pleased to be able to contribute to the return of this object via this unusual route because it is of great importance to Peruvian cultural heritage.
Research by the Government Information and Heritage Inspectorate
After the discovery in the return bin, the Government Information and Heritage Inspectorate was contacted. She has started a study together with an expert from Leiden University. This showed that this was a so-called ‘mummy bundle’, textile in which the deceased were wrapped before being buried. The Peruvian authorities were subsequently informed and declared the shroud to be authentic and part of Peru’s legally protected heritage, and requested its return. Director Alfred Roos of the Inspectorate and Dewi van de Weerd, Ambassador for International Cultural Cooperation, were present at the return.
Peruvian cultural heritage
Peru’s heritage is exceptionally rich. Unfortunately, many cultural objects have been looted and unlawfully exported for sale. The return to Peru takes place in the spirit of the 1970 UNESCO Convention. Since October 17, 2009, the Netherlands has been a party to the 1970 UNESCO Convention, which aims to combat the illegal trade in cultural goods. One of the obligations in the treaty is that member countries assist each other when unlawfully exported objects are discovered. During the ceremony, the Peruvian authorities expressed their appreciation for the return of this cultural asset.