Mixtec skull with turquoise mosaic repatriated to Mexico after six decades in Dutch museum
In May 2025, a Mixtec skull adorned with a turquoise mosaic was repatriated to Mexico after over sixty years at the Wereldmuseum in Leiden. Originally acquired in 1964 by Pieter Hendrik Pott from dealer Robert Stolper, the skull belonged to a male aged 35-49 from southern Mexico. Analyses conducted by Martin Berger in 2011-2012 revealed that while the mosaic materials are pre-Hispanic, 99% of the adhesive is modern. The initiative was led by the Nchivi Ñuu Savi collective and artist Daniel Aguilar Ruvalcaba, with plans for the skull's final destination at the Yucu Saa Community Museum in Villa de Tututepec by April 2027.
Key facts
- Mixtec human skull with turquoise mosaic repatriated to Mexico in May 2025
- Skull displayed at Wereldmuseum in Leiden for over six decades
- Acquired in 1964 by director Pieter Hendrik Pott from dealer Robert Stolper
- Analyses in 2011-2012 published in 2013 by archaeologist Martin Berger
- Skull belonged to male aged 35-49 from southern Mexico
- Mosaic materials pre-Hispanic, but 99% of adhesive is modern
- Repatriation initiative by Nchivi Ñuu Savi collective and artist Daniel Aguilar Ruvalcaba
- Final destination: Yucu Saa Community Museum in Villa de Tututepec, Oaxaca, planned for April 2027
Entities
Artists
- Daniel Aguilar Ruvalcaba
- Martin Berger
- Pieter Hendrik Pott
- Robert Stolper
- Claudia Curiel
- Raúl López Nicolás
Institutions
- Wereldmuseum
- National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH)
- Nchivi Ñuu Savi collective
- Yucu Saa Community Museum
- Rijksakademie
- Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca
- The Art Newspaper
Locations
- Leiden
- Netherlands
- Mexico
- Villa de Tututepec
- Oaxaca
- Puebla
- Monte Albán
- Amsterdam