Some 567 cultural objects have been returned to Ecuador by Argentina and Spain, according to minister of culture and heritage in Ecuador, Guillaume Long.

Long announced on Feb. 3 that the objects were formally handed over in Quito, in a ceremony with Argentina’s ambassador to Ecuador, Alberto Alvarez Tufillo, and the Cultural Counselor of the Spanish Embassy in Ecuador, Luis García.

Garcia said: “The protection of the heritage goods is a pressing need, because they are unique and irreplaceable.”

Among the restituted works are a trove of ceramics delivered from Argentina, and colonial-era Quito school objects, maps, archaeological artifacts, and other items.