The renowned Parthenon Museum in Nashville is bidding farewell to over 250 Mexican artifacts dating back more than 500 years, which are being returned to Mexico City. The artifacts were donated to the museum in the late 1960s, mistakenly sold as junk by farmers in western Mexico. The museum’s assistant curator, Bonnie Seymour, led the repatriation effort, emphasizing the importance of returning cultural heritage to its rightful place.
The artifacts were introduced to visitors one last time as part of an exhibition exploring the global debate around repatriation. The Mexican Consulate in Atlanta is collecting the artifacts, which will eventually be placed in the National Institute of Anthropology and History. Nashville will retain the memory of the artifacts through 3D prints now included in the museum’s educational collection.
The repatriation of these artifacts is seen as a way of recovering a piece of memory and allowing people in Mexico to have direct contact with their ancestral history. Nashville artist Jose Vera Gonzalez created 3D paintings inspired by the artifacts, highlighting the importance of preserving and sharing cultural heritage.
The repatriation celebrations were attended by members of the Nashville community, including Mexican student Paulina Alvarado, who emphasized the importance of obtaining permission from the culture and people to share their heritage with others. The return of these artifacts represents a step towards acknowledging and respecting the history and culture of Mexico.
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