The Albanese Labor Government today returned three objects of cultural significance to Mexico in a ceremony at the Embassy of Mexico in Canberra.
The historical objects were detected by the Australian Border Force on import from the United States of America in 2023.
The Office for the Arts, with the assistance of the Embassy of Mexico and Mexican cultural authorities, established that the objects had been illegally exported from Mexico, whose law classifies them as archaeological monuments.
The objects were seized, and approved for return to the Mexican Government, under the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986. They are:
Pair of Olmec ear-shaped plaques: These objects were crafted from metamorphic rock (jadeite or serpentinite) and likely formed part of an anthropomorphic mask. They were made by the Olmec civilisation on the coastline of Gulf of Mexico around 1500–400 BCE.
Zacatecas bowl: This painted ceramic bowl belongs to a funerary tradition called ‘tumbas de tiro’ (‘shaft tombs’), in which a shaft up to 16 metres deep led to underground chambers where multiple burials and ceramic offerings were placed, symbolising the return to the maternal womb. The tradition developed in the western Mexican states during the Mesoamerican Classic Period (100–500 CE). The bowl is from the Zacatecas region in north-central Mexico and was made between the second and sixth century.
Aztec whistle: The ceramic whistle represents a skull and was likely an instrument used in ceremonies. It has two holes: one on the top, and a smaller one at the back. It was crafted on the Central Mexican Plateau in 1200–1521 CE, during the Aztec Empire.
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the return demonstrated the government’s commitment to protecting the world’s movable cultural heritage.
“These priceless objects tell the story of people’s ancestors from hundreds and thousands of years ago and returning them to the Mexican Government honours that history.
“We’re serious about protecting cultural heritage and returning objects to their rightful home.”
Ambassador of Mexico to Australia, His Excellency Mr Ernesto Céspedes Oropeza, welcomed the return of these cultural objects to Mexico and expressed appreciation to the Australian Government for its cooperation.
“We are grateful to the Australian authorities for their collaboration and commitment in ensuring that these objects can return to Mexico, where they form part of the cultural heritage of our peoples and where their historical and cultural significance can continue to be studied and appreciated by future generations.
These objects are more than archaeological pieces. They represent the history, creativity and identity of the civilisations that flourished in Mexico long before our time.”
Ambassador Céspedes also noted that “international cooperation, such as the one we see today between Australia and Mexico, is essential to prevent the illicit trafficking of cultural property and to safeguard our shared human heritage.”
He added, “as our countries mark the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations tomorrow, this collaboration highlights the strong partnership between Mexico and Australia and the value of working together to protect cultural heritage.”
Special Envoy for the Arts, Susan Templeman, said it was an honour to attend the ceremony.
“It’s a very special moment to witness these culturally significant objects, taken from their homeland illegally, being returned to their country.
This is an excellent outcome and a result of effective collaboration between our two countries.”
The Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act regulates the export of Australia’s significant cultural heritage objects, as well as providing for the return of foreign cultural property which has been illegally exported from other countries and imported into Australia.
Images of the objects can be viewed here and images from the handover ceremony can be viewed here.
For more information, visit Movable cultural heritage | Office for the Arts.
FRIDAY, 13 MARCH 2026
