The paleontological pieces had been confiscated by Chilean customs between 2017 and 2022 and handed over this Monday to the Moroccan ambassador in Santiago, Kenza El Ghali, by Nelida Pozo Kudo, director of the National Heritage Service of Chile and José Luis Castro Montecinos, deputy director of Chilean customs, in the presence of representatives of the departments of Foreign Affairs and Culture and the customs and security services.
During this ceremony held at the National Library of Chile, Pozo Kudo stressed that cooperation between Morocco and Chile encompasses many areas, including the protection of fossils of great scientific value, noting that the seizure by Chilean customs of these fossils of Moroccan origin and their return to the Kingdom, is a clear example of the commitment of the two countries in the fight against illicit access to cultural property, in accordance with international law.
On this occasion, Irwin Brevis, technical secretary of the Council of National Monuments of Chile, said he was satisfied to have contributed to “the recovery of this 400 million year old heritage, (…) and without exaggeration, its long history predates the formation of the continents and therefore well before the creation of Chile and Morocco, that is, before the planet was as we know it today.”
Brevis also said he was convinced that “the coordination and joint work between the different institutions and international cooperation are bearing fruit and allow us today to return these fossil pieces to the Kingdom of Morocco.”
For his part, the Moroccan ambassador expressed his thanks to the Chilean authorities for their close cooperation over the past five years in order to return this heritage of Moroccan origin, noting that “the smuggling of antiquities and fossil pieces dating back several million years is perhaps worse than drug trafficking.”
After calling for severe sanctions against the perpetrators of these illegal practices, Kenza El Ghali expressed her joy that “these fossils have finally returned to their original homeland, Morocco, and what could be more beautiful than returning to the source.”
On this occasion, the Moroccan diplomat praised the historical ties and sincere friendship that unite Chile and Morocco in many areas, expressing her conviction that these relations are promised a better future.
The ceremony for the delivery of these paleontological pieces to Morocco was preceded by the signing of a cooperation agreement on documentary heritage between the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco (BNRM) and the National Library of Chile.
2024-09-13 15:27:27