The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), through its office in the state of Jalisco, received a collection of 334 archaeological artifacts that had been in the custody of a private collector.
In a statement, the institute reported that the pieces mostly correspond to cultures and styles that developed in the territory that is now Jalisco, including figurines from the Shaft Tomb tradition (450 BC-450 AD) and the Chapala tradition (900-1200 AD), as well as from the Classic period (200-1000 AD).
Among the returned artifacts are two Olmec-style stone figurines dating from 1500-400 BC, which are uncommon in the region. The collection also includes containers, pots, bowls, lids, and incense burners, most of which are made of ceramic. Shell beads and pendants, copper bells and rings, stone axes, and obsidian pieces.
The authenticity assessment of the pieces is underway, led by Javier Alanis Vilchis, head of the Cultural Heritage Registry section of the INAH State Center, with support from researcher Martha Lorenza López Mestas Camberos and specialists from the Western School of Conservation and Restoration, who will be responsible for restoring the pieces if necessary.
So far, the archaeologist has identified six objects that may require restoration. He noted that most of the collection is in good condition, as the private residence had adequate infrastructure for its preservation, with display cases, spaces, and lighting suitable for each piece.
They also explained that it is unknown how the collection was formed, as it had not been registered with INAH. The individual, who resided in the municipality of Zapopan, recently passed away. Their family notified Alicia García Vázquez, head of the INAH Center in Jalisco, and handed over the collection on April 30, 2026.
The authenticated pieces are currently undergoing formal registration in the INAH’s Single Registry System and will remain under the custody of the institute’s state office. It is anticipated that the most outstanding pieces will be exhibited in the new Museum of Western Archaeology, which will be housed in the former Zapopan City Hall, currently being renovated.
“There is interest in keeping the collections within the state, because most of the pieces we have here are from styles specific to Jalisco, such as the Shaft Tomb style, which also extends into the states of Colima and Nayarit,” explained Alanis Vilchis.
Finally, he announced that the lot also included 264 replicas, which will be used for educational purposes. Interactive areas are planned for the Regional Museum of Guadalajara and the Museum of Western Archaeology, allowing children to recreate an archaeological excavation and enabling visually impaired individuals to touch and learn about the artifacts without damaging them.
According to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), this restitution of cultural heritage adds to the 13 other collections, comprising 7,207 authentic objects, that have been recovered in the state since 2022.
Source: jornada
