Majorero heritage recovers valuable indigenous pottery after 55 years in private hands

Press Release

The Archaeological Museum of Fuerteventura (MAF) officially received today an exceptional ceramic piece belonging to the indigenous Majo culture, donated by Juan Martín Guerra. The ceremony, which marked the repatriation of this singular archaeological asset to the island, was attended by the donor, representatives of the island’s governing body, and the museum’s technical team.

The newly acquired artifact will become part of the museum’s permanent collection and will undergo a thorough cataloguing and study by museum experts to deepen knowledge of its historical context.

“This incorporation has enormous value for our island, because it is not just a piece of pottery; it is a fundamental part of our identity and of the Majo people’s culture,” said Lola García, President of the Cabildo.

“His individual gesture today becomes a collective benefit.”

“Donating such items means valuing and respecting the essence of a people, understanding that heritage should not remain private but belong to a museum where it can be protected, studied, and made accessible to all citizens.”

Cabildo counselor Rayco De León added:

“This acquisition follows one of the museum’s strategic lines: to locate and recover Fuerteventura’s cultural heritage that is scattered in other collections or museums. Citizen collaboration is indispensable for heritage protection, allowing privately owned objects to return to the public sphere for enjoyment and study.”

According to the donor, Juan Martín Guerra, the moment he laid eyes on the ceramic he recognized its exceptional nature, prompting a decades‑long search that culminated in its purchase in 1996. He emphasized that the piece “belongs to Fuerteventura, and its return to the Archaeological Museum ensures it is cared for and enjoyed by the entire community.”

The ceremony also featured Silverio López, a renowned ceramics expert and master potter, who provided technical insight into the artifact’s significance.

This donation reinforces ongoing institutional efforts to reunite Majo heritage—often dispersed in mainland collections—with its place of origin, strengthening the MAF’s role as the principal custodian of Fuerteventura’s historical memory.

The Cabildo invites the public to visit the museum and experience the richness of the island’s aboriginal culture, underscoring that heritage protection is a shared responsibility between institutions and citizens.

History and Provenance of the Piece

The remarkable aboriginal vessel carries a documented history spanning more than half a century.

• 1971 – Origin: The ceramic first appeared in the famed Bazar Estoril of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where it entered the private collection of Mr. Chandan Bulchand, then Consul of India in Las Palmas.

• Authentication: Its authenticity was confirmed at the time by historian and archaeologist Julio Moisés, Official Restorer of the National Heritage and advisor to the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, who described it as a unique piece of its kind.

• 1996 – Acquisition: After decades under the Bulchand family’s care, the vessel was purchased in February 1996 by Juan Martín Guerra, who has preserved its integrity ever since.

• Physical Features: Small notches along the rim, identified by experts, were originally used for analytical testing that verified the ceramic’s origin in ancient Maxorata.

• 2026 – Repatriation: The donation completes a 55‑year journey, returning the artifact to Fuerteventura’s cultural patrimony.

With this addition, the Archaeological Museum of Fuerteventura continues to evolve as a living space dedicated not only to safeguarding material remains but also to the ongoing reconstruction of the island’s historical narrative.