It is against the laws of Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala to take any pre-Columbian antiquities out of their country.

It is against the law of the United States to bring most pre-Columbian art into this country. Maya pottery from the Peten area is especially illegal.

When tempted to buy antiquities in Central America all kinds of tall tales will be given to encourage you to buy. You will be told that "if it is just a small artifact it is okay." No way, each and every pre-Columbian artifact is illegal. Besides, 90% of what is peddled to tourists is fake!

If the item is not confiscated when you smuggle it out of the country, it may be confiscated by U.S. Customs when you arrive back here.

But the real reason why it is unethical to buy looted art is because your purchase encourages grave robbers to destroy the temples and pyramids to reach the ancient art buried within.

Buy native handicrafts instead. This supports honorable people who are willing to do honest work to earn a living.

Related links
Comprehensive index of all internal links to Maya art, archaeology as well as digital imaging
Even more links to Maya art and archaeology from another web site, www.maya-art-books.org
Desktop publishing (how best to print your reports, class notes, publish in your own office)
Digital imaging, introduction, software reviews, recommendations of useful equipment for www.flatbed-scanner-review.org
Info Page | Mayan Jade gateway page | Maya Archaeology home page

More FLAAR Reports

706082 D PES 2014 solvent eco solvent printers full exhibitor list Part I

If you wish to donate your library on pre-Columbian Mesoamerica and related topics, FLAAR will be glad to receive your library and find a good home for it. Contact:

ReaderService@FLAAR.org

MAYA EPIGRAPHY

MAYAN SOCIETIES, ORGANIZATIONS

FOODS OF THE MAYA ROOT CROPS

Q’eqchi’-Spanish-English Dictionary Segments

2012 Prophecies of the end Mayan calendar

3D Scanning Equipment Reviews For Field Work

GigaPan Epic Pro System

Bibliography Mayan dye colorants

Municipio de Livingston Izabal: places to visit

TECHNOLOGY, BOOK REVIEWS on Digital Imaging, especially 3D

Private Museums of Mayan Archaeology

Ixchel

Suchitepequez

Agriculture, diet, food

Maya Vase Rollouts

Trees of Mesoamerica

Mayan languages of Guatemala

Museums of Mayan Archaeology

Carlos Pellicer, Tabasco

Lectures on Maya topics Now available

Travel / Hotels

Guatemala City

Chichicastenango

Baja Verapaz

Archaeology of Iran

Visit other FLAAR sites

Flora and fauna

Educational Books