Antiquities Seized, Man Arrested in Nayarit EFE
go to original August 10, 2012

A man was arrested and 12 archaeological items, including four sculptures that are more than 2,000 years old, of a "high artistic value" were seized in the western state of Nayarit, the Mexican Attorney General's Office said.

The suspect planned to sell the pieces, the AG's office said in a statement.

A tip from the public led police to the suspect, who will be charged with violating the Federal Monuments and Archaeological, Artistic and Historic Areas Law, the AG's office said.

The pre-Columbian pieces recovered by authorities are from the Tumbas de Tiro cultural tradition, which flourished from 200 B.C. to about A.D. 450, the AG's office said.

The pieces include four hollow female anthropomorphic sculptures, with the figures in sitting poses, an animal effigy vessel and three bowls.

Three other items, including another bowl and a female anthropomorphic figure, were also seized.

The pieces will be turned over to National Anthropology and History Institute, or INAH, officials in Nayarit "for the safekeeping, management and protection of the nation's archaeological heritage," the AG's office said.

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