The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat celebrated the United States’ return to Morocco of three ancient dinosaur fossils from the Mesozoic Triassic period on Thursday.
The three fossils are a full dinosaur skull from the Oued Zem-Khouribga region, parts of an upper jaw of a Basilosaurus whale, and neck vertebrae from a Saghacetus whale. All three had been carefully restored and featured in a workshop on fossil restoration as part of the event.
Morocco has been taking proactive steps in repatriating its cultural treasures since the US’s previous repatriation of a crocodile fossil over a year ago.
Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid remarked that this latest repatriation furthers the January 2020 memorandum of understanding between the US and Morocco to combat illegal trafficking of cultural artifacts. He pointed out the value of cultural heritage to Morocco’s history, and the growing national and international awareness of the negative impacts of illegal trafficking.
U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Puneet Talwar highlighted the partnership agreement signed between the two countries in 2021 for the protection and preservation of cultural properties, which allows authorities to collaborate, share expertise, and identify new opportunities to combat illegal trafficking in these cultural assets.
He said that preserving cultural heritage is essential for national identity and history, highlighting the vital role of Morocco’s cultural heritage in drawing tourists to see the kingdom’s architectural, artistic, and cultural interests.