[MSN] Spanish police seize over 700 stolen South American artifacts

[MSN]

Spanish police seize over 700 stolen South American artifacts

05/06/2008
Police say the artifacts -necklaces, chains, earrings, masks, statues, ceramics and utensils- came from archaeological sites in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

Spanish police say they have recovered more than 700 pieces of pre-Columbian art of "incalculable value" allegedly plundered and taken from South American countries to be sold in Europe.

Police say the artifacts -necklaces, chains, earrings, masks, statues, ceramics and utensils- came from archaeological sites in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. A Spanish man and his Colombian wife have been arrested and accused of "selling plundered art objects".

A police statement Tuesday says the couple traveled regularly to South America to bring back the pieces for sale later in European countries, mostly in France.

The artifacts have been found in properties the couple owned in northern Spain's Rioja region. The pieces have been taken to a museum in Madrid so that South American authorities can reclaim them.

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