Don Miguel Malo Zozaya’s Collection Returns to San Miguel de Allende

Published March 19th, 2022

The Archaeological Collection of Don Miguel Malo Zozaya was received at the Museo Histórico Casa de Allende for safekeeping, research, and later exhibition after being out of the city for several decades following its confiscation.

In 1972, Alejandro Gertz Manero confiscated Don Miguel Malo’s collection of archaeological pieces due to the entry into force of the Federal Law on Archaeological, Artistic and Historical Monuments and Zones. At that time the Collection was sent to the Museum of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas and between the year 1989 to 1993, a part was sent to Teotihuacan where they remained until 2015, in that year they were sent to the Colonial Museum of Yuriria. The second part that remained in the Alhóndiga de Granaditas was sent in 2014 to the Museum of Cañada de la Virgen, a third part has remained in San Miguel de Allende, the pieces were delivered to the Museo Casa de Allende by the wife of Don Miguel Malo Zozaya with the only requirement that they remained in the city as he wished.

Entrega de la Colección Arqueológica Miguel Malo Zozaya para el resguardo, investigación y exhibición en el Museo Histórico Casa de Allende. Agradecemos a todos los que nos apoyaron e hicieron posible que este gran acontecimiento histórico se pudiera realizar. #SMA pic.twitter.com/LH437wNo8R

— Centro INAH Guanajuato (@InahCentro) March 16, 2022

There are different versions about the death of Don Miguel Malo, however, there are no doubts about the great work he did during his life to rescue the historical heritage of San Miguel de Allende.

Miguel Malo Zozaya dedicated all his life, all his activities, and all his meager economic resources to the creation of a historical and archaeological work of San Miguel de Allende and for San Miguel de Allende. This was his creation, his life, and what primarily encouraged his scientific activities.

He wanted to give to the history of San Miguel its native past and he was really afraid that these archaeological relics would be lost forever when they were transferred to Mexico City.

When agents of the federal judicial police showed up at his house-museum to comply with superior orders to seize these archaeological pieces, he felt that they were taking away his life and his greatest illusion: that San Miguel de Allende would have its own natural historical and archaeological heritage, and in the face of the authority’s insults and pressure, he took his own life. ¹

“Suddenly, legislation was passed that condemned anyone who had any archaeological piece in their homes, and the federal government began a “hunt” for these people without the slightest consideration.
The illustrious character in question was accused of violating the law, branding him as a thief of national heritage and other offensive adjectives; they broke into his house with porters who picked up his pieces such as stones and tepalcates and put them in boxes without the slightest care. When Don Miguel saw this, he shut himself up in one of the rooms and took his own life because he felt offended, humiliated, and despised”².

Don Miguel Malo dedicated his life to looking for archaeological pieces in the area of La Moncada, San Miguel Viejo, Santa Cruz (today Peña de la Cruz) and enabled the room of his house as a museum, all those interested could enter and admire his collection of archaeological pieces, until the day of his death, on May 3, 1972.

For the people of San Miguel de Allende to recover this collection is to recover its history, its past and to give Don Miguel Malo the recognition he deserves.

¹Texto: “Libro Personajes de San Miguel de Allende»

²Texto: Enrique García y García