Colima pre-Hispanic vessel returned to Mexico from Boston

Mexico has received the restitution of a pre-Hispanic Colima vessel from the Institute for Cacao and Chocolate Research in Boston. The artifact, a modeled clay pot featuring four cacao beans, was delivered at the Consulate General in Boston on September 11, 2026.

Experts from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) identified the piece as belonging to the Comala tradition, manufactured between 300 BCE and 600 CE. The vessel's design reflects the historical significance of cacao in ancient Mexican societies, where it served as food, drink, and a medium of exchange.

The repatriation was the result of collaborative efforts between the Mexican Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture, the Consulate General, and the Institute for Cacao and Chocolate Research. José López Ganem, a Mexican researcher and professor at Boston University, played a key role in the process. This marks the 83rd piece repatriated through this specific initiative.