After 60 years abroad, Mexico confirms turquoise-adorned skull is pre-Columbian treasure
Although the exact origin of the skull within Mexico has not yet been determined, its characteristics and the materials used to decorate it indicate it could possibly be from the Late Postclassic period (1200 to 1521 AD). The post After 60 years abroad, Mexico confirms turquoise-adorned skull is pre-Columbian treasure appeared first on Mexico News Daily
The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has confirmed that a pre-Columbian turquoise-adorned skull returned to Mexico from the Netherlands is a human skeletal remains. The skull, adorned with a turquoise mosaic, shell, jadeite, and rock crystal, was in the Netherlands for 60 years before repatriation. The artifacts used for decoration suggest the skull may have originated from the Late Postclassic period (1200-1521 AD), likely from present-day Puebla or Oaxaca.
INAH specialists have identified a snake design on the skull's frontal bone, formed by mosaic tiles known as tesserae. The repatriation process began in late 2023 after the Dutch museum contacted the Mexican Embassy, following a decade of French research. Culture Minister Claudia Curiel de Icaza hailed the collaboration between authorities and civil society for achieving historical justice, and praised the Mixtec community for their efforts in bringing sacred heritage back to Mexico.
The Mixtec people inhabit the Mixteca region in Oaxaca, Puebla, and Guerrero. Further studies could help identify the skull's original owner and determine if it was part of an offering for a significant figure.
Written by urgent.news from Mexico News Daily's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Human skull featuring elaborate mosaic ornamentation repatriated to Mexico theartnewspaper.com
