The Machu Picchu Solution: A New Approach to Cultural Patrimony Disputes

Abstract

The dispute over the Bingham collections from Machu Picchu was resolved by formal agreements by Yale University with the Peruvian government and with the University of Cuzco (UNSAAC) bringing to an end nearly a decade of discord. At the core of the agreements was an attitude of mutual respect and appreciation between the three parties, with the Peruvian government and our colleagues at UNSAAC acknowledging the historic importance of Bingham’s investigations and of Yale’s role in conserving and investigating the collections for nearly a century. At the same time, Yale University recognized the unique importance of the Machu Picchu site for the people of Cuzco and the Peruvian nation, and the need to return the collections to Cuzco and recognize Peru’s ownership. The agreements are built on the shared commitment to displaying these collections to the public, preserving them with adequate security and conservation, and guaranteeing that they remain accessible to researchers. The return, display, and conservation of the Machu Picchu collections are treated in the agreements within a broader framework that involves scientific investigation, student and faculty exchange, and other long-term educational and scholarly collaborations between Yale and UNSAAC. Thus, the solution to the dispute enriches both universities, providing new opportunities and resources for everyone concerned.