Under the rug: DAM’S acquisitions suspect
The recently published article about the illegally obtained Cambodian artifacts, by the Denver Art Museum (DAM), is also covered in detail in the Washington Post. The artifacts were illegally looted out of Cambodia, illegally transported into the U.S., and purchased or donated to the DAM knowing full well their nature.
Perhaps this would not be so bad if it were an exception to their acquisition policy. But it is merely a tip in the DAM iceberg of iniquity. One window I got on that is a few years ago when I was participating in an international archaeological conference in Paris. I mentioned to European archaeologists that I was helping with an exhibit at a Denver museum, and they asked “which museum, the good one or the bad one?” The good one, I was told, is the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the bad one is the Denver Art Museum. I asked why is the DAM internationally considered to be so bad, and they said it is one of the worst in the world for buying illegally looted and smuggled artifacts.
Consider, if you will, the items donated from a Denverite who got very rich from oil and gas in Texas, named Fred Mayer. Mayer and his wife Jan are listed as the donors of at least a dozens, possibly more, archaeologically significant items from Costa Rica — including many jade beads and pendants.
I have been doing research in Costa Rica since 1984, and the country has been very strict that no ancient artifact can leave the country without permission, and then it is only for loan. I have seen the archaeological sites that have been destroyed by looters seeking artifacts for illegal international sales, especially exquisite jades, and also polychrome pottery and other artifacts. And some of those types of artifacts are proudly on display in the DAM. How did a private donor acquire them legally?
Those artifacts must be returned to their country of origin: Costa Rica. I volunteer to assist with contacting the appropriate authorities in Costa Rica, and assist with their return.