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U.S. Bans Peruvian Treasures: The United States has barred importation of archeological treasures from Peru in a bid to cut into the illegal sale of such artifacts. White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said the ban was imposed to help curb looting in the Sipan region of Peru, following a request from the Lima government. The Sipan region is the site of the richest pre-Columbian tomb found intact in the Western Hemisphere and has yielded secrets of the Moche civilization that inhabited the river valleys of northern Peru from AD 100 to 700. U.S. Customs Service officials said all imports of Peruvian archeological objects will have to carry a Peruvian government export permit.