U.S. returns Machu Picchu artifacts to Peru

Washington, United States (4E) – The United States on Wednesday returned the last and final lot of Machu Picchu artifacts to Peru.

American archaeologist Hiram Bingham, who rediscovered the Inca citadel and brought it to the world’s attention in 1911, is believed to have taken away more than 46,000 ceramics and metal pieces.

The artifacts have now been moved from America’s Yale University to the Andean city of Cusco.

The transfer followed after legal action by Peru, which claimed that Bingham had only taken the artifacts on loan. The Yale University already sent back several artifacts to Peru in two lots following a deal signed with Peru two years ago.

The Incas had built the citadel of Machu Picchu, which is 2,500 meters above sea level, in the 15th Century. Machu Picchu is one of the main tourist attractions of Peru that attracts more then a million tourists every year.

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