In a major victory for cultural diplomacy, the Smithsonian Institution has formally returned a collection of fifteen 2,000-year-old Paracas textiles to the government of Peru. These intricate funerary cloths, renowned for their vibrant natural dyes and complex embroidery, were originally excavated from the Paracas Peninsula in the early 20th century. The return follows a three-year provenance review that confirmed the artifacts were exported in violation of Peru's 1929 heritage laws.
The repatriation ceremony, held in Lima, marks a significant shift in the Smithsonian’s restitution policies toward South American archaeological remains. Peruvian officials noted that these textiles are crucial for understanding Early Horizon period social hierarchies and ritual practices. The artifacts will now undergo specialized conservation at the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History before going on public display for the first time in nearly a century.