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This country has recovered two important pre-Columbian artifacts from Spain suspected of having been taken from here illegally by notorious Costa Rican Leonardo Patterson, part of a hoard of nearly 500 pre-Columbian pieces he is suspected of having obtained here.
The two recovered pieces were held in Spain's Museo de America and delivered to the National Museum in San José. Local archaeologists have long decried the depredations of so-called huaqueros, grave robbers who illegally remove archaeologically important objects for sale on the worldwide black market.
Although most of the illegal traffic is not as extensive as the infamous "Patterson Collection," individuals have through the years carried away literally thousands of priceless relics sold illegally by farmers and even professional smugglers. Tourists are advised that if they are caught leaving the country with such contraband they can be prosecuted and, at the least, their purchases confiscated.
Not only does this country lose a part of its cultural inheritance when objects are smuggled out, but diggers ruin archaeological sites by scattering objects whose locations might reveal data about the past, often breaking pottery in ham-handed efforts to extract their prizes. Artifacts found on property should be left alone and reported to the National Museum.
This country is a treasure trove of gold, jade and stone artifacts and pottery because the indigenous residents were adept artisans. The two objects recovered with the help of Spanish authorities are an exquisite pot and a stone sculpture. The government has requested repatriation of 18 pieces from Italy, four from Denmark, eight from Switzerland, as well as having already recovered 24 pieces currently in the Costa Rican embassy in Washington D.C. awaiting shipment, reported The Tico Times newspaper.
Patterson currently lives in Germany and has been charged by Spanish authorities with illegal artifact traffic.
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