Following a diplomatic accord signed earlier this year, The Prado Museum in Madrid has returned two ceremonial obsidian scepters to Mexico. The artifacts, which date to the early 16th century, were originally part of the royal treasury of Tenochtitlan and were sent to Europe shortly after the Spanish conquest. They are renowned for their razor-sharp craftsmanship and gold-leaf inlay depicting the rain god Tlaloc.
This repatriation is seen as a significant step in the ongoing heritage law dialogue between Spain and its former colonies. The scepters will be permanently displayed at the Templo Mayor Museum in Mexico City, situated just meters from where they were likely used in state rituals five centuries ago. Curators emphasized that the return of these items restores a vital link to the spiritual and political history of the Mexica people.