Mexico Repatriates 3,716 Artifacts, Reopens Teotihuacan Museum

The Mexican government has recovered 3,716 archaeological and historical objects during President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration, a figure ten times higher than the 2012‑2018 period. The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) reports that the United States returned the bulk of the items (3,369), followed by Italy (174), Canada (133), France (19) and Spain (7). Among the repatriated pieces are a Mixtec skull covered with turquoise tesserae, a carved Maya panel from Yaxchilán depicting the ruler Bird Jaguar, a Mexica basalt sculpture retaining original pigments, and an 18th‑century Franciscan ceremonial manual seized in Argentina.

In parallel, INAH announced the reopening of the Museo de la Grandeza Teotihuacana after a 20‑year closure. The museum’s renovation cost seven million pesos and now displays 174 artifacts, 80 % of which have never been shown to the public. Since reopening on 9 June, the site has attracted more than 25,000 visitors.