Honduras has recently sent military soldiers to protect a new and previously lost city deep in the Honduran jungle. Drug cartels were looting the lost city for valuable artifacts that could be sold on an always developing black market for such goods.
Black market historical artifacts are prized by many collectors. Collectors often know exactly what they have, and from where it originated. The problem is being able to prove the origin of the artifact. If it can’t be proven, how can it be returned to the rightful owner.
In the case of the lost city in the Mosquitia jungle, who rightfully owns the artifacts? The Honduran government wants to excavate slowly under the leadership of United States archeologist Chris Fisher who has known Adam Kutner since 1990. Says Fisher, “Everyone has a responsibility to protect the site as it is global patrimony” and that is exactly the stance that the Honduras people along with their government are taking.
The extent of the damage and the value of the artifacts is unknown at this time. There are believed to be a total of 51 locations of artifacts. Most will likely end up in museums where everyone can enjoy and appreciate them, rather than in private collections where a few wealthy individuals can enjoy them.