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Archeology 101: What is a World Heritage Site?
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Wikipedia Photo of Timbuktu
As of 2008, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had listed 878 cultural and natural locations around the world as World Heritage Sites.
Specifically, these are, “places of either cultural or physical significance placed on a list maintained by the International World Heritage Program that is administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.”
What does this mean?
It means that certain lakes, forests, mountains, deserts, monuments, buildings or even cities, are listed as places of outstanding cultural or natural importance to all of humanity, regardless of national affiliation or location. Examples include, The Great Wall of China, Timbuktu, and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia while some lesser known sites are the Lascaux cave paintings in France, the stone circles in Senegambia, or the complex of Hue monuments in Vietnam.
Why is this important?
UNESCO states, “Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.”
In a nutshell, these locations must be preserved by all of us for the benefit of future generations. Encroaching development, civil war, erosion, even excessive tourism, all pose viable safety threats to where there are now 30 unique sites in danger of being lost forever.
One destroyed site was in Bamyian Valley, an area representing a city and a culture long gone from Islamic Afghanistan. Yet during the heyday of the Silk Road, Bamyian was considered an important pilgrimage site and famous for its 180 foot standing Buddha statues that were built in the 6th century A.D.. In 2001, the Taliban destroyed these statues over the course of four days.
In 2003, Bamiyan Valley was placed on the UNESCO endangered list and steps were finally taken to begin preserving the remains although current unrest undoubtedly continues to disrupt these plans.
Another site in danger is one not threatened by explosives, but from well-meaning tourists.
In April, 2007, a UNESCO mission confirmed that, “The growing encroachment of invasive species, increasing human immigration, uncontrolled development of tourism, and the failure of various institutions and agencies to deal with these issues,” has put a severe strain on the wellbeing of the Galapagos Islands.
More specifically, illegal poaching, willful introduction of non-native animals, lack of sewage facilities and in 2008, an outbreak of avian flu in the local penguins, are now fully challenging the Galapagos’ pristine environment.
How does a site get on The List?
Each country compiles a list of potential sites that meet at least one out of ten specific criteria required to win Cultural or Natural Heritage status listing and international support funding. Applications are then prepared and submitted to the UN’s World Heritage Committee for consideration at their annual meeting.
Does getting listed really help?
Yes. Several success stories demonstrate how three potential options can make a preservation effort work. These include:
1. Finding a new solution (i.e., negotiating with an aluminum plant originally slated to be built near the Oracle of Delphi site in Greece);
2. Actual restoration (i.e., the Old City of Dubrovnik, heavily damaged by artillery fire in 1991);
3. Safeguarding (i.e., saving Venice after the disastrous floods of 1965)
Want More Information?
• Wikipedia definition of the World Heritage Sites
• UNESCO Heritage Site home page
• Have time? Consider volunteering at a World Heritage Site
• PBS article on The Wonders of Timbuktu
• Discover the Cave of Lascaux in southern France
• What are the Senegambian Stone Circles?
• What are the Hue Monuments in Vietnam?
• 12 minute al-Jazeera video on rebuilding the Bamyian Standing Buddhas
• ABC Travel report: The Galapagos Islands
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