US returns dinosaur fossil, artifacts to China
Print Edition
THE United States returned 22 Chinese artifacts and an ancient dinosaur fossil to China on Thursday, highlighting the two world powers’ cooperation to counter illicit trafficking of archeological objects.
“It’s a great pleasure to welcome home these 22 Chinese artifacts and one fossil given back by the United States,” Ambassador Cui Tiankai told a ceremony at the Chinese embassy.
“These treasures are symbols of ancient China civilization and of mother nature,” he said.
“Their return to China will facilitate our fight against illicit trade in archeological objects, and help us better preserve cultural heritage for our future generations.”
As one of the important deliverables of President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the US in September, China and the US reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation on preserving cultural heritage by agreeing on returning forfeited Chinese artifacts, Cui said.
The microraptor fossil is estimated to be about 120 million years old, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said in a press release.
The item was falsely manifested as a “craft rock” and later as a “fossil replica” to conceal its true contents when it was illegally imported to the United States, ICE officials said.
The cultural artifacts, including jade disks, bronze trays, dated back as far as 1,600 BC, it said, adding that the items were recovered across America.
“Fossils and treasures will always be targeted by bad actors, but we continue to investigate these crimes and repatriate them to their rightful owners,” said ICE’s Deputy Director, Daniel Ragsdale.
US citizen Eric Prokopi, of Florida, pleaded guilty to engaging in a scheme to illegally import dinosaur fossils, according to ICE.
Prokopi was fined, served time in prison and was subject to 15 months’ supervisory release.
“The US government has demonstrated a responsible attitude for implementing international treaties and honoring bilateral commitments,” said Gu Yucai, China’s Deputy Director-General of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.
The other items were seized in connection with an investigation into an art dealer by the name of Francois Lorin.
In accordance with a bilateral agreement the US and China signed in 2009, the two countries work together closely to prevent the illicit trafficking of archeological objects.
Since 2007, US authorities have repatriated more than 8,000 items to more than 30 countries.
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