Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Peru's culture institute confiscates national patrimony sold as souvenirs

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Experts from Peru's National Institute for Culture (INC) found an array of altered cultural heritage products at the three artisan markets located in Miraflores, one of Lima's most touristic districts.

In a surprise investigation, experts from the country's INC - along with police officers and authorities from the public ministry - found 256 cultural heritage products being sold at these markets, which target tourists looking for souvenirs.

The two hundred plus products were confiscated from 25 stands located at the souvenir markets known as Galería Mercado Indio’s, Galería Indian Market and Galería Peruvian Market.

Police reported that two of the markets are on the 52nd and 53rd blocks of Petit Thouars avenues while the other is located on the 4th block of General Suarez Street.

All three of the souvenir markets are just minutes from Kennedy Park and Ovalo Miraflores, a roundabout that has a McDonald's, a Saga Falabella department store and a Curacao electronics store.

The majority of the cultural heritage products found were pre-Hispanic cloths that were being sold in pieces as well as on handmade dolls.

Furthermore, some of the cloths had been placed between glass and were being sold as coasters.

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# LOL says :
4 July, 2008 [ 15:33 ]

Since when does old junky cloths and silly dolls count as "cultural heritage products"  This just goes to show that the majority of junk  in the museums of Peru are pieces of junk... that in Europe wouldn't even be sold much less confiscasted  LOL

If you want to see what a "cultural heritage product" I suggest you take a trip to a European museum and see something worth looking at...

# Mark says :
5 July, 2008 [ 08:42 ]

Just maybe LOL these 'junk pieces of cloth' might have been stolen from an ancient tomb and are all part of one large cloth that someone was wrapped in IE MUMMIFIED in..........

What your statment shows me is just how little you know about the type of 'patrimonial' items that are being stolen from ancient sites all over Peru and various other places including Iraq which was formally known as Babylon which was formally known as Sumer by greedy criminals. 

Maybe instead of spending your time in "European Museums" you could do a little research on the internet and gather some more information before you make such obviously ignorant statements.

Peace

Mark

# LOL says :
5 July, 2008 [ 10:47 ]

Unlike in Peru, where most of the stuff is JUNK, The items in Iraq are of the utmost importance and value for the study of the history of our civilization, especially all the precious items that contain writing or are made of gold, silver or gems.

Unfortunately, the Peruvians never rose above the level of savages and their material culture is worthless... I'm surprised anyone would pay a cent for them. I'd throw those ugly clothes into a dump where they belong.

# G.C, MD says :
5 July, 2008 [ 14:53 ]

"LOL": time for your medication, my friend.  You're not only psychotic, but also extremely ignorant and full of hate. Follow Mark's recommendation to inform yourself through the internet about Peru's cultural heritage.  Peru ranks with Iraq (Sumeria), China and India, as a "cradle of civilization".  

Google names such as: Dr. Walter Alva, Dra. Sonia Guillen, Dr. Federico Kaufmann Doig, Christopher Donnan (University of California), Dr. Verano, etc. and inform yourself about their work and dedication to preserving Peru's patrimony.

Besides loving the medical profession,  I am also passionate about archaeology and constantly in awe of Peru's great cultures. I am very pleased to know that the Peruvian National Institute of Culture is doing a good job of preventing this type of illicit activity.

# A.K. says :
5 July, 2008 [ 22:40 ]

Ive seen such items in the markets of Cusco and the Sacred Valley dozens of times. Hate to target tourists here, but maybe they need to go after the buyers as well. No buyers, no sellers...

# Mark says :
6 July, 2008 [ 02:08 ]

"LOL"

After your last statement I just can't seem to find a reason why you are even looking at this website.

Someone with such a racially misguided interpretation of Peru, it's people and it's history has no business being on this website anyway.

Or maybe you have another agenda here?

Oh, I was going to ask if 'LOL' is the name your mother gave you on your birth certificate? Obviously not I'd say. If I was making such ridiculously uninformed statements like you have been I probably wouldn't want to use my real name either.

Go and submit your ill informed beliefs somewhere else

Peace

Mark

# Mark says :
6 July, 2008 [ 02:14 ]

AK,

you are right in what you say. I too have witnessed these types of items for sale.

The key here is education my friend. One for all the 'licensed' tour guides out there. Inform your passengers about what is going on. Sometimes it is quite difficult for the average person to distinguish the real thing from a copy so help them out.

There are many ways this practise can be addressed.

Peace

Mark

# G.C.MD says :
6 July, 2008 [ 16:06 ]

Mark:  I wish people were as level-headed and decent as you when they submit comments to "Living in Peru".

Let's all do what we can to keep people like "lol" out of this website.....just through good example. The viciousness of some malcontents, such as "lol" has no place here. 

Also, let's do all we can to discourage people tampering with Peru's national patrimony whenever we have that opportunity.  Like A.K. says: "no buyers, no sellers".....right on!

# rice and sugar says :
7 July, 2008 [ 15:30 ]

Dear forum administrator,
A user by the name of "LOL" is allowed to post racist, diminishing remarks against other human beings -the Peruvians (myself included). Remarks such as "peruvians nothing but savages"..this goes beyond being a simple opinion in a democratic society. This diminishes the value of other human beings. I am sure that Living in Peru is for educated readers. Racism is ignorance. Correct? Living in Peru does not allow racism. Or does it?
M. Navarro
M. Sc. (Genetics), B. Ed.

# Lloque Yupanqui says :
7 July, 2008 [ 18:37 ]

M. Navarro:  I agree.  I don't think LOL....or anybody for that matter, should take the liberty to label us "savages", nor call our beautiful ancient textiles "junky cloths", nor call our museum pieces "junk".  This is very insulting to us Peruvians and I agree with M. Navarro...that the "forum administrator" should not allow people to post this kind of insulting garbage.  Allowing it to appear on this forum only cheapens the efforts of "Living in Peru" to have an outstanding website where educated readers inform themselves about our country. Most people who post comments here are obviously interested in Peru and are civil....but there are some individuals who seem to have a love/hate relationship with Peru and take all their frustrations out on this forum. Please do not allow this.

# Chris says :
7 July, 2008 [ 19:20 ]

As this seems to be a pretty touchy subject for many Expats, I suggest that some of us put our money where our mouths are and actually report the crimes they see every day.  For example, almost ALL of the so called "antique" stores in Miraflores sell a range of precolombian, Colonial, and Republican era artifacts.  Many are fake, some are real. 

Anyone of the posters here that support the move by the INC willing to give them a call?  Any of the Peruvians that are SOOO patriotic willing to do so?  Lets see if another article pops up in a few weeks time reporting on another raid..

# Peru is Uncivilized Savage Land says :
8 July, 2008 [ 02:13 ]

Thruth is , Peru has a long way to go before joining the ranks of the civilzed world.

A good start would be:

1. Remove about 75% of crazy micros and taxis off the streets.
2. Remove all corrupt policemen/women, put them in jail and throw away the keys.
3. Hire an elite transit police core (pay them well) to enforce cero-tolerance traffic laws.
4. Implement a traffic violation court system.
5. Create a centralized, environmentally sustainable public transportation system.

# Devilmaycare says :
8 July, 2008 [ 06:24 ]

 Peru is Uncivilized Savage Land must be an unemployed traffic cop looking for work. He thinks he is some type of super cop with powers far beyond those of mortal men but instead of being elite the fact is he is little more than a Metermaid. 

 LOL,  Peru is changing, growing and improving everyday don't be afriad of the changes. Just becuse Peru may be a growing world economy and has such a rich history to be proud of dosen't mean your little country will be forgotten. Keep the faith  "L"ost  "O"ur  "L"and.
 
I think people like "LOL" and "Peru is" should always be allowed to speak what little mind they have it's good to exercise your only brain cell every once in a while.        

# Rodolfo says :
10 July, 2008 [ 03:06 ]

"Uncivilized Savage":  why do you post your vicious comments here?  Why don't you go back to your "Utopia"..where everything's supposedly perfect?

If you don't like Peru, my friend....simply pick up your "mochila" and hitchhike back to your country. If you're already there....then, please don't return to Peru if you think my country is a "savage land". Don't worry, "Uncivilized Savage"...we were already a "cradle of civilization" when your ancestors were still running around in pelts, hunting for game.  If you don't insult my people, then I won't have to remind you of your late-blooming ancestors. ....so, stop acting like an "uncivilized savage" when you post comments.