Centuries-Old Map Returned to Mexico after Discovery by Librarian

A historic map, crafted during the era of Spanish colonization, has been officially returned to the Mexican government following a long investigative effort. The map, which details Spanish settlements in what is now Mexico and the southwestern United States, was handed over in a ceremony on March 5, 2024, at the Mexican consulate in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This significant event involved collaboration between the FBI, Mexican officials, historians, and archivists.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Justin Garris emphasized the cultural importance of the map, describing it as more than just a piece of paper. “This document not only enriches our collective memory but also strengthens the ties that unite Mexico and New Mexico through a shared history,” said Patricia Pinzón, the Consul of Mexico in Albuquerque. The map prominently features the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a historic 1,600-mile (2,560-kilometer) trade route connecting Mexico City with Santa Fe.

The map showcases the names of various communities along the route, with additional markings indicating rivers and Native American settlements represented by darkened scallops and dots. Unlike contemporary maps, this historical document has its north oriented to the right, with the west at the top.

Years of Efforts to Retrieve the Map

The map is among thousands of artifacts returned to Mexico in recent years. Pinzón highlighted the importance of such recoveries, noting that just last month, a manuscript page signed by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés was also returned. The map’s absence was first noted by archivists in Mexico City in 2011, who identified it as one of 75 items missing from the national archives.

The search for the map remained stagnant for several years until a librarian at the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library in Santa Fe discovered it while researching a map presented for sale. The librarian suspected it might be stolen, prompting investigation by museum officials, including Billy Garrett, the executive director of the museum. Mexican archivists successfully used negatives and microfilm copies to authenticate the map, confirming its origin and significance.

After a lengthy process involving international protocols and laws, the FBI held the map for a year while final arrangements were finalized for its return. “We’re very glad that it’s gone back to its rightful owners, and we were glad we got to take care of it for a while,” Garrett stated.

A Rich Tapestry of History

Federal investigators noted that Santa Fe is a hub for collectors interested in Native American and Spanish colonial artifacts, making the map’s appearance there not entirely unexpected. Though no charges will be filed, the case highlights the ongoing challenges of recovering stolen cultural items.

History professor Manuel García y Griego from the University of New Mexico recalled encountering a digital image of the map while researching in Mexico City a decade ago. He recognized its historical significance, as did Joseph Sánchez, who had photographed a copy for his own research years earlier. “It’s remarkable that, independently, we both found this map in Mexico, considered it significant, and now it has been recovered in Santa Fe,” García y Griego noted during the handoff ceremony.

Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber expressed appreciation for the map’s intricate details, reflecting the city’s rich historical legacy. Founded in 1610, Santa Fe is the oldest capital in the United States, and Webber emphasized that history is deeply intertwined with daily life in the region. He remarked, “We live history. It’s part of our daily lives,” underscoring the map’s role in illustrating the area’s unique cultural narrative.

The return of this map not only serves as a reminder of the past but also reinforces the ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate the shared history between Mexico and the United States.