"Yale University is a great institution. But its reputation suffers the longer it holds on to thousands of artifacts — including mummies, jewelry and art — dug up a century ago by Yale scholar Hiram Bingham at the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu and brought to New Haven.

For nearly a decade, Yale and Peruvian officials have been quarreling over ownership of the Machu Picchu treasures. The artifacts are clearly part of Peru's cultural heritage. They belong to the people of that nation and should be returned.

The Bingham expedition may have broken Peruvian law in taking the treasures. Today, Yale is bucking the trend among American museums that are returning precious antiquities to their countries of origin. Yale is defying a UNESCO resolution prohibiting the illegal removal of cultural treasures, a convention signed by the United States."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Yale Vs. Peru Over Incan Artifacts (The Hartford Courant 6/15)

Earlier Story:
Dodd Intervenes In Yale, Peru Dispute (The Hartford Courant 6/10)