[CPProt.net] $50,000 Olmec mask stolen at Sweeney

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

Staff and wire reports | 
August 17, 2005 

$50,000 mask stolen at Sweeney 

A stone Olmec mask valued at $50,000 was stolen from a display table set up
at the Sweeney Convention Center during a weekend art-and-antiquities show,
police said. 

The child's mask, which was light green in color, was placed under the table
about 9 p.m. Friday and found missing about 9:30 a.m. Saturday , said Santa
Fe Deputy Police Chief Eric Johnson. 

Olmecs were ancient American Indian people who lived in what are now the
Mexican states of Tabasco and Veracruz . Their culture is characterized by
sculptures of giants heads, jade sculptures and a highly developed
agricultural system. 

Messages left for the owner of the mask were not returned Tuesday.