Okotoks man returns pre-Columbian artifact to Costa Rica

An ancient Central American artifact is back where it belongs.

Okotoks resident Don McDougall embarked on a journey to Costa Rica in February with an item of immense historical significance in his possession — a jade amulet that, according to an analysis by the National Museum of Costa Rica, dates back to between 500 BC and 700 AD.

"I just felt that it needed to go back where it came from," said McDougall.

The pre-Columbian artifact came into the McDougall family's possession more than 50 years ago.

"My parents, in 1971, they sponsored an exchange student from Costa Rica to stay in our house for two or three weeks," said McDougall.

"When he got home, his father was so impressed of the things that we showed this young fellow that he sent that artifact to my dad."

McDougall had no idea how old the artifact was until, as he looked through his father's rock collection, he came across the amulet, prompting him to do more research online.

"It's something that I knew was fairly old," he said. "I didn't realize it was 2,500 years old, that it's an important piece of their history, their culture, so I just felt it was important for them to have it back.

"I said to myself that this needs to go back to Costa Rica, so we made arrangements to do so."

McDougall was greeted by archaeologist Arturo Hernández Ruíz and a police escort, allowing him to make his way past security and customs to return the artifact.

The pendant was deemed an archaeological asset in good condition, with its greenish tones and polished look reflecting the quality of the piece and the care that went into its creation 1,300 to 2,500 years ago.

The amulet now resides at the National Museum of Costa Rica, where it — along with McDougall — will soon be commemorated through a new art project.

"That artist has been commissioned by the National Museum to work on a new display of repatriated artifacts that have come back to the country," he said, adding that his name will be on the display alongside the amulet.