Costa Rica News – Costa Rica has recovered an archaeological treasure that was in Venezuela.
The 196 pre-Columbian pieces had been trafficked illegally and will be returned by ship on January 2.
Two stone spheres are among them. The stone spheres are declared a world heritage by the United Nations. They are from the Díquis archaeological region and date from the period 500-1000 AD.
There are also two hanging panel metates (used to grind grains), two human figures, musical instruments and various ceramic and stone pieces. These objects carry historical data about the national populations.
An Estonian man who had allegedly helped Nazis in 1941 and 1942 also collected archaeological art. His house was called a small museum. In three raids, all of the stolen goods were recovered.