Chile returned more than 100 paleontological artifacts to Morocco in May, according to a report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Friday.
The fossils were confiscated by Chilean authorities at San Antonio Port and Santiago Airport and were officially handed over to Morocco after a months-long investigation and analysis.
The operation involved the Chilean National Customs Service, the Natural Heritage Area of the National Monuments Council, and the National Cultural Heritage Service of Chile, alongside Morocco’s embassy in Chile.
The confiscation occurred after customs inspectors identified the fossils as potentially valuable cultural items during routine checks.
José Luis Castro, Deputy Director of Chile’s National Customs Service, applauded the vigilance of inspectors, noting their role in not just tax collection, but in safeguarding cultural heritage. “Our officials work tirelessly to secure borders and prevent the smuggling of goods—this includes protecting items of immense cultural and historical value,” Castro stated.
Once the fossils were seized, they were handed over to the National Monuments Council for expert analysis.
Specialists confirmed their paleontological significance, and Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Moroccan Embassy in Santiago, sparking a formal restitution process.
Throughout the process, the fossils were carefully preserved at the Paleontology Deposit of Chile’s Natural Heritage Area.
Director of Chile’s National Cultural Heritage Service, Nélida Pozo Kudo, hailed the cooperation between Chilean agencies as vital to the success of the operation. “This is a profound act of justice,” Pozo said, “one that showcases our commitment to international cultural preservation.”
Moroccan Ambassador to Chile, Kenza El Ghali, thanked Chile on behalf of Morocco. “This return symbolizes the strong bonds of cooperation and respect between Morocco and Chile,” El Ghali remarked. She noted the importance of such efforts in ensuring the protection of cultural assets across borders.
The fossils are expected to be returned to Morocco in the coming weeks, where they will be placed in their rightful cultural and scientific context.