Introduction
The Auditoría Superior de la Federación (ASF) has identified significant deficiencies in the inventory and restoration processes of cultural heritage by the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) and the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL) in 2024. The INAH acknowledges “unintentional errors” in their procedures.
INAH’s Inventory Shortcomings
The ASF focused on the Program Pp. E012, “Protection and Conservation of Cultural Heritage,” during the 2024 fiscal year. The INAH reported protecting 233,521 cultural assets through inventory, cataloging, and registration, exceeding the 2023 projection by 11,042 assets.
- Inventoried: 93,040 (39.8%)
- Catalogued: 97,834 (41.9%)
- Registered: 42,647 (18.3%)
However, the ASF determined that only 8,330 (9%) of the inventoried assets were adequately documented. Similarly, 90,022 (92%) of the catalogued assets lacked proper documentation.
These findings suggest inadequate control and reliability of cultural heritage information.
Verification of Inventory and Cataloging
The ASF analyzed 40 databases provided by the INAH, which should include each asset’s registration number and name. For catalogued assets, the ASF required detailed descriptions in an academic document outlining each asset’s characteristics according to a research framework or administrative needs.
The ASF found that over 90% of cultural assets were not adequately processed, leading to unverified registrations.
INAH’s Rectification Efforts
The ASF reported an inconsistency in the INAH’s reporting of movable archaeological items registered in 2024. The INAH reported 23,043 registrations, differing from the 23,231 items used to calculate the “Protection Legal Received” indicator.
The INAH acknowledged an “unintentional error,” but the ASF noted that the federal agency accepted measures to recognize and rectify insufficient registration mechanisms during the audit process.
The ASF issued 12 recommendations to improve the INAH’s control over information, ensuring it is sustainable and verifiable.
INBAL’s Omission of Registration and Restoration
The ASF conducted a performance audit of the INBAL’s Program Pp. E012, finding delays in controlling and registering artistic heritage.
The INBAL’s Matrix of Indicators for Results (MIR) listed eight objectives related to protecting and conserving Mexico’s cultural diversity, memory, and patrimonies. However, the ASF noted that the INBAL omitted two essential tasks: registering assets in the Public Registry of Monuments and Artistic Zones and restoring in situ artistic heritage for technical protection.
The ASF recommended that the INBAL establish control mechanisms to update the MIR, ensuring proper protection and conservation of artistic cultural heritage.
Key Questions and Answers
- What were the main issues identified by the ASF regarding INAH’s inventory and restoration processes?
The ASF found significant deficiencies in the INAH’s inventory and restoration processes, including inadequate documentation for over 90% of inventoried and catalogued assets. The INAH acknowledged “unintentional errors” in their procedures.
- How did the ASF verify the inventory and cataloging of cultural assets?
The ASF analyzed 40 databases provided by the INAH, requiring each asset’s registration number and a detailed description in an academic document outlining its characteristics according to a research framework or administrative needs.
- What inconsistencies did the ASF identify in INAH’s reporting of movable archaeological items?
The ASF found an inconsistency between the INAH’s reported 23,043 registrations and the 23,231 items used to calculate the “Protection Legal Received” indicator. The INAH acknowledged an “unintentional error.”
- What tasks did the ASF find omitted by INBAL in its MIR?
The ASF noted that the INBAL omitted registering assets in the Public Registry of Monuments and Artistic Zones and restoring in situ artistic heritage for technical protection.
