I. U.S. Actions

• On April 15, 1991, the U.S. took emergency action to impose import restrictions on pre-Columbian Maya archaeological artifacts from the Peten region of Guatemala.
• On September 29, 1997, the U.S. and Guatemala signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to impose import restrictions on pre-Columbian archaeological artifacts from throughout Guatemala. Protection for the Peten material continues without interruption.
• On September 29, 2002, the U.S. and Guatemala extended the U.S.-Guatemala MOU for five years.

II. Background

These U.S. actions are in response to requests from the Government of Guatemala under Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. The import restrictions are intended to mitigate the results of extensive looting to meet the demands of U.S. and international trade in artifacts. The U.S. actions also further the aims of the 1994 Summit of the Americas action plan to enhance appreciation of indigenous cultures and cultural artifacts through the implementation of cultural property protection agreements.

Maya carved limestone lintel showing a ruler with his captives. Photo courtesy of Institute of Anthropology and History, Ministry of Culture and Sports of Guatemala.

The depredation of the Peten began in the late 19th century when explorers removed selected sculptured monuments, such as altars, stelae and lintels, for collectors and museums. The wholesale destruction of the region began, however, in the 20th century when looters organized to supply a growing demand for pre-Columbian art. Guatemala reports that the looting has continued during the last two decades with scores of the inspected sites reported as looted. Unbridled looting throughout Guatemala has left few archaeological sites intact and has resulted in the loss to science and history of an incalculable amount of information.

III. Categories of Artifacts Subject to U.S. Import Restriction

A complete list is published in the Federal Register notice of October 3, 1997. An illustrated list is available in the Guatemala Image Collection.

Restricted Pre-Columbian artifacts date from approximately 2000 B.C. to A.D. 1524. Categories include polychrome ceramic vessels, figurines, whistles, and stamps ; and artifacts of jade, obsidian, flint, alabaster, calcite, shell and bone.

IV. Import Regulations

Objects listed in the Federal Register notice may enter the U.S. if they have an export permit issued by Guatemala or verifiable documentation that they left Guatemala prior to the effective date of the restriction: April 15, 1991, for archaeological material from Peten, and October 3, 1997, for archaeological material from throughout Guatemala.

Under the 1973 Pre-Columbian Monumental or Architectural Sculpture or Murals Statute, monumental or architectural sculpture or murals may be imported into the U.S. only with an export license issued by the country of origin or verifiable documentation that they left the country of origin prior to June 1, 1973.

V. For More Information

Guatemala Image Collection

2002 Federal Register Notice

1997 Agreement 

1997 Federal Register Notice (html) (text)   

1991 Federal Register Notice 

Frequently Asked Questions