A routine day at a Minneapolis Target store turned into an archaeological mystery when employees stumbled upon what experts believe could be genuine Aztec-era artefacts in a staff break room, forcing the complete evacuation of the premises.
The astonishing discovery occurred on Tuesday afternoon at the Target location in the city's Uptown neighbourhood, sending authorities and heritage experts scrambling to the scene.
Mysterious Origins
According to police statements, the artefacts included several carved stone items and ceramic pieces that appeared to date from the pre-Columbian period of Mexican history. How these potentially priceless historical objects ended up in a modern American retail environment remains the central question baffling investigators.
Minneapolis Police Department spokesman Officer Garrett Parten confirmed the unusual nature of the incident: "We're treating this as a curious case rather than a criminal investigation at this stage. The items have been secured and we're working with cultural heritage experts to determine their authenticity and provenance."
Store Evacuation and Response
The discovery prompted immediate safety precautions, with store management making the decision to evacuate both customers and staff. Police cordoned off the area while initial assessments were conducted.
Target Corporation issued a brief statement acknowledging the incident: "We can confirm an unusual discovery at our Uptown Minneapolis location led to a temporary store closure. The safety of our guests and team members is our top priority, and we're cooperating fully with authorities."
Archaeological Significance
While formal authentication is still pending, early assessments suggest the artefacts could genuinely originate from Aztec civilization, which flourished in central Mexico between the 14th and 16th centuries. If verified, the find raises significant questions about how such objects entered the United States and ultimately found their way into a retail setting.
Cultural heritage experts have been called in to examine the items properly, with concerns about both their archaeological importance and the legal implications of their presence in Minnesota.
The investigation continues as authorities work to unravel the mystery of how ancient Mexican history intersected with modern American retail in one of Minneapolis's busiest shopping districts.
