Hernan Cortes Manuscripts

Two documents signed in 1527 by Hernán Cortes and likely taken in the late 1980's

CyArk

U.S. Embassy Mexico

Document signed by Hernan Cortes (2025) by U.S. Embassy MexicoCyArk

Taking a Closer Look

The two documents contain administrative/logistical details from the early colonial period of New Spain and is preserved as protected documentary heritage of Mexico’s Archivo General de la Nación (AGN)

Why are these documents important?

Learn more what the documents reveal about Hernan Cortes

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Loss and identification

The pages originally belonged to a larger AGN file. During microfilming in 1993, archivists discovered 15 pages were missing, including these pages, with evidence indicating they were removed in the late 1980's or early 1990's.

Corroborating evidence

Learn more about the process of proving the documents were illegally taken

Document signed by Hernan Cortez (2025) by US Embassy MexicoCyArk

FBI Recovers Cortes Document

In August 2025, the FBI formally returned the Cortes-signed manuscript to the Government of Mexico after an investigation led by the FBI Art Crime Team with U.S. and Mexican partners. It was the second Cortes document repatriated by U.S. authorities, following an earlier return

Repatriated Artifacts Returned to Mexico (2026) by US Embassy MexicoCyArk

Keep Learning About Repatriation

Explore more artifacts

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

CyArk

CyArk

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