INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Authorities seized thousands of
Native American, Russian, Chinese and other artifacts that have
"immeasurable" cultural value from the private collection of a
91-year-old man in central Indiana, the FBI said Wednesday.
The
items, which also came from Haiti, Australia, New Guinea and Peru, were
collected by Donald Miller of Waldron over eight decades, FBI Special
Agent Robert Jones said at a news conference.
"The cultural value
of these artifacts is immeasurable," Jones said while refusing to
disclose details of any of the individual items taken from Miller’s
property.
Some items were acquired improperly, but Miller, who
traveled extensively, obtained others legally or before laws affecting
them were on the books, Jones said. Federal authorities will attempt to
repatriate items with their rightful owners, he said.
Miller was
cooperating with the investigation. It was unclear whether he would face
any criminal charges, Jones said. Miller could not be reached for
comment. His home telephone number rang busy Wednesday evening.
Video
shot from television helicopters showed an FBI command vehicle and
several tents at Miller’s property, about 35 miles southeast of Indiana.
Miller stored the items in several buildings on his property.
Larry
Zimmerman, a professor of anthropology and museum studies and one of
several experts assisting agents in cataloging and preserving the
collection, said the quality of the items was variable but Miller had
maintained them in good condition.
"I have never seen a collection like this in my life except in some of the largest museums,"
Zimmerman said.
As
the items were assembled over several decades, it will likely take a
lot of time to determine the age and origin of all of them.
"Mr. Miller has made an attempt to safeguard and protect the items," Jones said.
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