The last batch of artifacts that was brought to the United States from Peru by an American archeologist housed in Yale has been returned to the government of Peru as per an earlier agreement between the university and the government.

According to BBC News, more than 35,000 pottery fragments and other pieces were flown from Yale University to the Andean city of Cusco. They had been taken to the U.S. by archaeologist Hiram Bingham, who brought the site to international attention in 1911.

Located 8,200 feet above sea level, the citadel of Machu Picchu was built by the Incas in the 15th century. Since the discovery, Machu Picchu has become an important world tourist attraction, with more than 1 million visitors visiting the Incan city, reminiscent of the glory of one of the greatest empires.

As Yale Daily News reports, the last batch of artifacts contained in 127-box shipments marks the dispute over claims between the university and Peruvian authorities, which even led to the 2008 lawsuit. In the lawsuit, the government of Peru claimed that the artifacts brought by the Yale archeologist Bingham were given on loan.

Even vice president of National Geographic Society Terry Garcia was quoted by the daily publication La República as saying, "We were part of this agreement. National Geographic was there, we know what was said, the objects were lent and should be returned."

Yale and Peru resolved the lawsuit in November 2010, when the University agreed to return the pottery shards and other artifacts over an agreement. This weekend's batch sent over to Peru are the last batch of such relics.

Also, Yale Daily News points out, though the Peruvian government threatened to sue university president Richard Levin personally in 2008, Peruvian ambassador to the United States Harold Forsyth presented Levin with the "Orden del Sol", or the "Great Cross" grade of the Order "The Sun of Peru" last September.