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Heritage on the Wire

Heritage on the Wire

Heritage on the Wire Blog

GHF Preservation Fellow Publishes Report on Syria’s Damaged Cultural Heritage Sites

Militants Attack UNESCO Holy Site in Timbuktu

Looting a Growing Problem in Post-Mubarak Egypt

GHF Sponsors First Annual Indus Heritage Day

GHF Featured by CNN, AFP, Condé Nast Traveler

GHF, Asia Society Host “The Forum on Global Heritage in a Developing World: Focus on Asia”

In Memoriam: Herb Stovel, Conservationist

Presidents of Colombia and Chile Visit Ciudad Perdida

April 2012 Blogs

March 2012 Blogs

February 2012 Blogs

January 2012 Blogs

2011 Blogs

2010 Blogs

Entries

On the Verge

GHF Preservation Fellow Publishes Report on Syria’s Damaged Cultural Heritage Sites

May 22, 2012

Since the violent uprising that erupted in Syria over a year ago, the country’s rich and complex cultural heritage has come under heavy fire. With few exceptions, archaeologists have been left merely to guess at the damage to these ancient sites. Now, however, thanks to a comprehensive report by Emma Cunliffe, a 2010 Global Heritage Preservation Fellow and current PhD researcher at Durham University, much more is known about the conflict-related damage suffered by Syria’s heritage sites.

ACROSS THE WIRE

Militants Attack UNESCO Holy Site in Timbuktu

May 17, 2012

According to multiple reports out of Timbuktu, militants from the Ansar Dine Islamist group have attacked and burned the tomb of Sidi Mahmoud Ben Amar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the first major destruction of a shrine in Mali, and a clear warning to the rest of the country’s cultural heritage sites.

ACROSS THE WIRE

Looting a Growing Problem in Post-Mubarak Egypt

May 16, 2012

With its first post-Mubarak presidential election just days away, Egypt’s political turmoil has been the focus of global headlines for well over a year. Since the popular uprising in January 2011, instability and a lack of security have plagued the country’s heritage sites, not only in terms of tourism, but looting as well.

SUCCESS STORIES

GHF Sponsors First Annual Indus Heritage Day

May 10, 2012

Three California-based organizations — the India Community Center, Pakistani American Culture Center, and 1947 Partition Archive — teamed up on April 29th in Milpitas to host the first annual Indus Heritage Day, designed to celebrate shared South Asian histories. This year’s festivities focused on the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, a highly advanced but little known culture that was at its height more than 4,000 years ago.

GHF IN THE NEWS

GHF Featured by CNN, AFP, Condé Nast Traveler

May 08, 2012

One goal of last Thursday’s The Forum on Global Heritage in a Developing World: Focus on Asia, hosted in partnership with the Asia Society in New York, was to “increase public awareness of a global crisis.” So far, the results have been promising, with several major media outlets helping to spread GHF’s message.

SUCCESS STORIES

GHF, Asia Society Host “The Forum on Global Heritage in a Developing World: Focus on Asia”

May 04, 2012

GHF had a day to remember at the Asia Society in New York on May 3rd, hosting The Forum on Global Heritage in a Developing World: Focus on Asia, a discussion of development challenges facing Asia’s most important and endangered heritage sites. The event featured a diverse program of speakers and panelists, and was well-attended by leading experts in conservation, development, venture philanthropy, technology, travel, academia and media.

Across the Wire

In Memoriam: Herb Stovel, Conservationist

May 02, 2012

Professor Herb Stovel, a Canadian conservationist who spent four decades leading efforts to protect cultural heritage sites around the world, passed away last month after a long battle with cancer. Stovel was one of the world’s most renowned experts in heritage conservation, and GHF would like to recognize his many contributions to the field.

GHF IN THE NEWS

Presidents of Colombia and Chile Visit Ciudad Perdida

May 01, 2012

In Bogota last month for the Sixth Summit of the Americas, the Presidents of Chile and Colombia took a day trip to the ancient site of Ciudad Perdida, where they were greeted by GHF’s very own Dr. Santiago Giraldo.

SUCCESS STORIES

GHF, Peruvian Ministry of Culture Organize Major Conservation Training Workshop

April 25, 2012

From April 27 to May 1, young Peruvian professionals will gather at Pachacamac, an archaeological site south of Lima, for the 3rd International Workshop on Conservation of Structures. The event, organized by Peru’s Ministry of Culture with support from GHF, will help train aspiring conservationists and develop the practical skills of those who safeguard the country’s many historic cultural sites.

Across the Wire

Timbuktu’s Treasures Threatened by Conflict

April 13, 2012

Few of Earth’s ancient cities have the mystique to match Timbuktu. During its golden age in medieval times, Timbuktu was a thriving desert trading capital, as well as an intellectual and spiritual center, from which Islam spread throughout Africa. Since then, the city has fallen into serious decline, suffering from poverty and desertification. Now it faces another threat: war and conflict.

Across the Wire

Turkey Increases Pressure on International Museums to Return Antiquities

April 11, 2012

The grand opening of what Turkey plans to be the “biggest museum in the world” may be more than a decade away (the republic celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023), but the country’s government appears eager to recover what it says are illegally excavated antiquities from institutions around the world.

SUCCESS STORIES

GHF, Current World Archaeology Celebrate 40th Anniversary of World Heritage

April 09, 2012

To celebrate the 40-year anniversary of UNESCO World Heritage, Current World Archaeology (CWA), a popular British world archaeology magazine, has launched a new webpage in partnership with GHF to raise awareness of important and endangered cultural heritage sites, what we can do to save them, and how they can improve the lives of future generations across the developing world.

Across the Wire

World Heritage Sites Go Dark for Earth Hour

April 06, 2012

Many of the world’s major cultural heritage sites went dark last week to recognize Earth Hour, a worldwide event organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to raise awareness about climate change.

SUCCESS STORIES

Italy Continues Support of My Son Sanctuary

April 03, 2012

For nearly a decade, conservationists at My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam have enjoyed tremendous support from the government of Italy. Now, thanks to a new grant of $250,000 over the next two years, “Safeguarding of My Son World Heritage” will enter a third phase of restoration and conservation.

GHF IN THE NEWS

New York Times Reports on Squatters at Iraq’s Heritage Sites

March 26, 2012

Last week we wrote about the return of foreign archaeologists to Iraq, where much of the country’s ancient treasures remain buried and unexplored. Among the difficulties now facing heritage authorities is how to deal with Iraqis who have taken up residence among the ruins.

SUCCESS STORIES

GHF Europe, The Duke of Gloucester Celebrate Conservation Success at Banteay Chhmar

March 22, 2012

On February 28th, in the presence of HRH The Duke of Gloucester, GHF Europe (UK) hosted a reception to celebrate four years of conservation success at Banteay Chhmar, Cambodia. More than 50 guests gathered in the newly restored Chapter Hall of London’s Museum of St. John to hear John Sanday FSA OBE, GHF’s Director for Asia & Pacific, describe progress and new technologies being used at the site.

GHF IN THE NEWS

GHF Cyrene Featured in CNN Story About Importance of Culture in Post-Gaddafi Libya

March 21, 2012

Since the overthrow of ruler Muammar Gaddafi last October, much has been made about how newly free Libya should go about building its new identity. This week, a CNN special report by Alia Al-Senussi focuses on the potential of Libya’s history to help heal and develop the country as it makes that transition.

Across the Wire

Leaked Government Memo Warns of Organized Looting in Syria

March 21, 2012

Looting is not a new problem for Syrian cultural authorities. Despite harsh punishments doled out to offenders (up to 20 years in prison), gangs of looters have operated in the country for years, smuggling artifacts over the border to satisfy antiquities markets in Europe and the US. But a government memo leaked earlier this month suggests that the current conflict has put Syrian cultural sites at an even greater danger of organized looting.

ACROSS THE WIRE

Troops Leave, Archaeologists Return, as Hope for Iraq’s Cultural Relics and Tourism Industry Grow

March 20, 2012

On December 17th, the same day the last U.S. troops left Iraq, a group of archaeologists from Stony Brook University arrived in the country, becoming one of the first foreign archaeology teams to visit in more than 20 years.

ACROSS THE WIRE

Vietnam’s My Son Seeks Solutions for Increased Tourism

March 19, 2012

In 2004, Vietnam’s My Son Sanctuary — imperiled at the time by Vietnam War damage, illegal looting, deterioration from exposure, overall decay, and vegetation overgrowth — became the focus of a GHF project. After successful efforts to support urgently needed stabilization, archaeological documentation, planning, site conservation and training, My Son was declared a “Completed Project” in 2006.

SUCCESS STORIES

New Mirador Agreement Ensures Long-Term Conservation of Over 80,000 Acres of Forest

March 09, 2012

Spread over nearly one million acres, the Maya Biosphere in Petén, Guatemala, is home to not only some of the world’s most important archaeological sites but also a diverse ecosystem with a vast array of flora and fauna. Faced with a number of human-made threats in recent decades, the reserve’s tropical forests are finally getting the protection they need thanks to initiatives like the newly signed Carmelita Conservation Incentive Agreement.

Across the Wire

Palestine to Submit 20 Sites for UNESCO World Heritage Site Nomination

March 08, 2012

On its first day as a full-fledged UNESCO member state, Palestinian officials wasted no time announcing plans to submit the names of 20 sites in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza for nomination to the World Heritage List.

Across the Wire

Syrian Army Attacks Palmyra’s Roman Ruins

March 05, 2012

Since the violence that erupted in Syria nearly one year ago — a war that has so far left thousands dead and become one of the world’s biggest stories — the damage to the country’s ancient cities and cultural sites as a result of the conflict has remained largely unknown.

ACROSS THE WIRE

Pakistan Promises to Protect Kalash Culture

March 05, 2012

The Kalash are a unique tribal community living in the Hindu Kush mountain range, in Pakistan’s wild northwest frontier. A popular tale tells of their descent from members of Alexander the Great’s army, which tore through the mountains more than 2,000 years ago. DNA tests have apparently found no actual connection, but the myth has persisted well enough to play a key role in Kalash tourism.

Across the Wire

Government Says Lamu Port Will Not Interfere with Heritage Sites

February 29, 2012

As leaders of Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia gather in Lamu this week to celebrate the beginning of the “Lapsset” project (Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport and Economic Development Corridor), Kenya’s government has assured Lamu residents that heritage sites will not be affected.

SUCCESS STORIES

GHF Göbekli Tepe Receives Critical Support from Vehbi Koç Foundation and J.M. Kaplan Fund

February 24, 2012

Göbekli Tepe, the world’s oldest known ceremonial center, will be conserved with the help of two new funding pledges: a $400,000 in-country matching fund pledge from the Vehbi Koç Foundation and a $125,000 pledged donation from the J.M. Kaplan Fund.

On the Verge

GHN Report: Urbanization, Tourism Among the Threats to Laos’ Plain of Jars

February 23, 2012

Dotting the landscape of Xieng Khouang Plateau in Laos are thousands of megalithic jars — part of an archaeological landscape aptly named the Plain of Jars. The structures, carved mainly from sandstone, granite or limestone, have been associated with the funerary customs of ancient inhabitants who occupied the area during the Iron Age (500 BCE - 500 CE).

ACROSS THE WIRE

Thai Prime Minister Visits Ayutthaya to Assess Flood Damage and Future Prevention

February 21, 2012

Speaking in Ayutthaya this week as part of a World Heritage Site celebration, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra expressed confidence that this year’s flood prevention plan will guard against a repeat of the 2011 floods that shuttered hundreds of factories and damaged 158 historic monuments.

ACROSS THE WIRE

Modernization Threatens Nepal’s Historic Towns

February 17, 2012

In 1979, seven historic monumental zones in the Kathmandu Valley were collectively designated Asia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. For scholars and tourists alike, these Hindu and Buddhist monuments are what immediately come to mind when picturing Nepal’s rich cultural heritage. But according to a German architect who has been working in Nepal for four decades, it is only a matter of time before modernization wipes out the majority of the country’s ancient architecture.

SUCCESS STORIES

New Bridge at GHF Ciudad Perdida Improves Safety of Indigenous Community and Tourists

February 15, 2012

Santiago Giraldo, Project Director of GHF Ciudad Perdida, logged on to Global Heritage Network (GHN) this week to make an exciting announcement: A brand new suspension bridge has been built over the Buritaca River, greatly improving the safety of indigenous community members, guides and visitors.

Across the Wire

GHF Executive Director Attends Opening of Asia Society Hong Kong Center

February 10, 2012

The brand new Asia Society Hong Kong Center opened with a bang this week, as more than 400 guests gathered to celebrate the completion of a project over a decade in the works. Among the event’s attendees was Jeff Morgan, Executive Director of GHF, which will partner with Asia Society to host another event in May.

Across the Wire

Beijing Developers Demolish Home of China’s “Father of Modern Architecture”

February 10, 2012

In 1931, after earning his master’s degree in architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, Liang Sicheng returned to China where he joined a newly formed Beijing organization called the Institute for Research in Chinese Architecture. For seven years he and his wife Lin Huiyin, one of China’s first female architects, lived in the courtyard house located at 24 Beizongbu Hutong, where together they completed their groundbreaking book, History of Chinese Architecture.

Across the Wire

Egypt’s Tourism Sector Tumbles Amid Violence

February 03, 2012

For the millions of Egyptians whose incomes depend on tourist money, a bleak economic outlook grew even bleaker this week after a soccer riot in Port Said left as many as 74 dead. Considered the worst outbreak of violence since Hosni Mubarak was overthrown a year ago, the clashes were followed a day later by protests that resulted in injuries to nearly 400 people.

Across the Wire

Turkey Contributes $5 Million to UNESCO Emergency Fund

February 01, 2012

Since last November’s controversial vote to introduce Palestine as its 195th member, UNESCO has been eager to recoup the funding it lost when the U.S. and Israel withdrew their support for the organization — about 22 percent of the group’s annual budget.

Across the Wire

Ancient Cave Monastery in Need of Conservation

January 31, 2012

Dug into the side of Mount Erusheli in southern Georgia, the ancient cave monastery of Vardzia is not just spectacular physically, it is also one of the region’s most important historical and cultural sites.

SUCCESS STORIES

Students in Siem Reap Seize Opportunities Afforded by Angkor

January 27, 2012

Every day, thousands of tourists visit Angkor to stare in amazement at its awesome temples and sculptural decorations. And every day, after the complex closes, many of the young people who staff the site head straight to university to seize opportunities the likes of which their parents could not have dreamed.

Across the Wire

Bosnia’s Top Cultural Institutions Under Threat

January 25, 2012

Nearly two decades after a brutal war that killed hundreds of thousands of civilians, displaced two million from their homes, and destroyed museums and libraries, Bosnia-Herzegovina’s top cultural institutions are again in imminent danger — this time because of political conflict and neglect.

SUCCESS STORIES

India’s Chandraketugarh to Become Heritage Village

January 20, 2012

Since its discovery by construction workers in West Bengal more than a century ago, the 2,500-year-old site of Chandraketugarh has been partially excavated, occasionally celebrated, but never adequately preserved.

GHF IN THE NEWS

CNN Features GHF in “Year of the Maya” Story

January 19, 2012

With the 13th Maya calendar set to complete its cycle in December, one common interpretation is that this signifies “the end of the world as we know it.” Scholars worldwide, however, have stressed that the completion of this 144,000-day “b’ak’tun” does not mean apocalypse but rather the dawn of a new age. And to commemorate the historic event, GHF has named 2012 the “Year of the Maya.”

Across the Wire

AP Profiles Banteay Chhmar, “Second Angkor Wat”

January 19, 2012

As physical conservation and community development progress at Banteay Chhmar, the international community is finally beginning to see what unique and historic treasures have remained hidden for so long in the remote jungles of northwestern Cambodia.

ACROSS THE WIRE

Census Declares Thousands of China’s Heritage Sites “Disappeared”

January 18, 2012

The results are in from China’s most recent national heritage census — the first in more than 20 years — and they’re not good.

Across the Wire

NATO Employed “No Strike List” to Protect Libya’s Heritage Sites from Air Attacks

January 06, 2012

For months leading up to the overthrow of Muammar el-Gaddafi, Libya’s cultural heritage sites — which include some of Africa’s most spectacular ancient Greek and Roman ruins — faced the fire of NATO air strikes. Thankfully, they survived.

ACROSS THE WIRE

Developing Nations Struggle for UNESCO World Heritage Status

January 04, 2012

As Heritage on the Wire reported last month, this year marks the 40th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage treaty, which was signed in Paris in 1972. Over four decades, the list has expanded to include 936 of the world’s most important cultural and natural heritage landmarks. But with new sites being added every year, there is confrontation brewing between developed and developing nations over the list’s exclusivity.

Across the Wire

No Resolution on Preah Vihear as Cambodian, Thai Foreign Affairs Ministers Meet

January 03, 2012

After a year that saw border tension boil over between Cambodia and Thailand, the Foreign Affairs Ministers of both countries met in Phnom Penh this week to discuss a range of issues stemming from the deadly clashes at Preah Vihear temple in February. It was the first visit by Thailand’s Surapong Tovichakchaikul to Cambodia since the Thai change of government in August.

SUCCESS STORIES

Global Heritage Network Sees Impressive Growth in First Year

December 28, 2011

In March, GHF launched Global Heritage Network (GHN), the first early warning and threat monitoring system devoted exclusively to saving endangered cultural heritage sites in developing countries. Since then, GHN has attracted hundreds of conservation experts around the world, collected and publicized key information about an expanding number of endangered cultural sites, and been profiled by major media outlets such as National Geographic and USA Today.

Across the Wire

Nazca Lines Threatened by Unsustainable Tourism

December 16, 2011

In the 1920s, when commercial planes began flying across the Nazca Desert in southern Peru, passengers reported seeing “primitive landing strips” on the ground below. Closer studies by anthropologists revealed a series of ancient geoglyphs spanning some 50 miles of arid plateau, ranging in complexity from simple lines to stylized monkeys, spiders, hummingbirds, fish, sharks, orcas, llamas and lizards.

SUCCESS STORIES

GHF London Forum Now Online

December 16, 2011

On October 20th, GHF hosted the Forum on Cultural Heritage in a Developing World at Spencer House in London, England. The event, which was attended by a select group of powerful and influential decision-makers, is now available online with audio, photographs and speaker profiles.

GHF IN THE NEWS

Mirador Featured on 3D Show “The Ancient Life”

December 09, 2011

Mirador will be featured on tonight’s episode of The Ancient Life, a 3D show that explores the intrigue and uncovers the mysteries of once dynamic and thriving civilizations. The program airs at 9pm ET/PT on 3net, a new 3D television channel created by Discovery, Sony, and IMAX.

SUCCESS STORIES

Oman to Open Archaeological Park and Museum at Qalhat

December 09, 2011

For centuries, Qalhat was one of the most important ports on the Arabian coast, a key part of the Indian Ocean trade and the second city in the Kingdom of Ormus.

Success Story

Mirador Master Plan Completed; Will Be Unveiled at Guatemala’s National Palace of Culture

December 05, 2011

After two years of collaboration with PACUNAM (Fundación Patrimonio Cultural y Natural Maya), FARES (Foundation for Anthropological Research and Environmental Studies) and the Guatemalan government, GHF is pleased to announce the completion of the Archaeological Development Plan for the Mirador Cultural and Natural System. It will be unveiled on December 8th at Guatemala’s National Palace of Culture in the presence of current and past government officials, diplomats, international agencies and foundations, archaeology experts, project managers, partners and friends.

ACROSS THE WIRE

UNESCO World Heritage Convention Celebrates 40th Anniversary

December 02, 2011

On November 9th, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova launched the 40th anniversary celebrations for the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, a unique international treaty that linked for the first time the concepts of nature conservation and preservation of cultural properties.

ACROSS THE WIRE

China Adopts Guideline to Promote Cultural Development

November 23, 2011

Last month in Beijing, the Communist Party of China (CPC) held a series of meetings to discuss cultural reforms and how they can impact social and economic development. At the end of the session, the committee adopted a guideline aimed at boosting China’s soft power and maintaining cultural security following the ongoing economic boom.

GHF IN THE NEWS

AFP Video Documents Marcahuamachuco

November 23, 2011

Marcahuamachuco, a monumental complex situated atop a highland plateau, was once the most important political, economic and religious center in northern Peru. Some 1,600 years old, archaeologists estimate that its last inhabitants left around the 13th century, two centuries before the arrival of the Incas. The complex remains shrouded in mystery, with parts still buried under centuries of accumulated earth.

GHF IN THE NEWS

GHF’s John Sanday Featured in Financial Times

November 17, 2011

John Sanday FSA OBE, GHF’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, was profiled last week by The Financial Times in an article detailing his celebrated career as a conservationist and architect.

Across the Wire

Former GHF Board Chair Examines Potential for Heritage, Development and Democracy in Libya

November 14, 2011

“In the wake of Muammar el-Gaddafi’s fall, Libya’s major cities are flooded with arms and the detritus of war, tribal divisions are on display, and the new Interim Transitional National Council is uncertain in authority, direction and voice.

Success Stories

GHF, UEM Sign Agreement for Conservation of Marcahuamachuco

November 09, 2011

On November 4th in Huamachuco, Peru, representatives from GHF and the Unidad Ejecutora Marcahuamachuco (UEM) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to officially commence GHF conservation of Marcahuamachuco, a pre-Inca city regarded by many archaeologists as “Machu Picchu of the North.”

GHF in the News

GHF Hosts London Forum on Cultural Heritage in a Developing World

November 04, 2011

On October 20th, GHF hosted The Forum on Cultural Heritage in a Developing World at Spencer House in London, England. The forum’s aims were to develop awareness among a select group of influential decision makers about the threats facing many cultural heritage sites across the developing world; identify innovative solutions to protect, preserve and manage these sites; and multiply funding for heritage preservation in these regions.

Across the Wire

UNESCO Grants Membership to Palestine

November 01, 2011

Palestine was granted full membership to UNESCO on Monday, a landmark event that allows Palestinians the right to nominate heritage sites of outstanding universal value for inclusion on the World Heritage list. It becomes the organization’s 195th member.

ACROSS THE WIRE

UNESCO Hosts Emergency Libya Conference in Wake of Gaddafi Overthrow

October 25, 2011

Late last week, we reported on Libya’s cultural heritage surviving amidst civil war, as well as hopes for a tourism boom in the wake of the conflict. Two days later, following the capture and killing of head of state Muammar Gaddafi, the country began its transition into a new era of governance and opportunity.

Across the Wire

Libyans Guard Cultural Heritage with Hopes of Post-War Tourism Boom

October 18, 2011

Since civil war broke out in Libya at the beginning of 2011, the state of the country’s cultural heritage has been extremely precarious. Security and visa issues have halted virtually all tourism, while conservation projects such as that funded by Global Heritage Fund (GHF) at Cyrene have been temporarily shut down.

GHF IN THE NEWS

World Archaeological Congress Features GHF in New Article about Heritage Organizations

October 18, 2011

We’re excited to announce that the most recent issue of Archaeologies, the official journal of the World Archaeological Congress (WAC), prominently features GHF as part of a forum demonstrating the diversity of heritage work being done today.

SUCCESS STORIES

Dr. Dan Thompson Writes about GHF Mission to Ciudad Perdida

September 29, 2011

Rediscovered by looters in the 1970s, Ciudad Perida (meaning “Lost City”) was built on a mountainside and today contains the ruins of an ancient city founded around 800 AD. Though it has been studied by the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History (ICANH—GHF’s local partner), relatively little is understood about the vast site, which is comprised of circular platforms connected by steep stone staircases hundreds of meters above the valley.

GHF in the news

GHF Fellow Interviews Director of National Museum of Afghanistan about Mes Aynak

September 29, 2011

For the past year, we have been covering a site called Mes Aynak, where archaeologists are racing against the clock to excavate an ancient Buddhist monastery. The reason for the rush: a Chinese mining company that is scheduled to develop the overlapping copper mine (the second-largest unexploited copper mine in the world) in less than three years. The deal is expected to secure more than $3 billion for Afghanistan’s struggling economy, but the payoff is bittersweet for those troubled by the loss of such magnificent cultural heritage.

Across the Wire

Pingyao Named One of China’s Top Cultural Cities

September 26, 2011

In 1997, Pingyao was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status for its exceptional preservation of an intact, classic Han Chinese city from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Fourteen years after its inscription, and some 750 years after being founded, Pingyao has again been honored as one of China’s top cultural cities.

Success Stories

Marcahuamachuco Photo Exhibition Highlights Historic Conservation Project

September 22, 2011

In the year of Machu Picchu’s 100th anniversary of rediscovery, another lesser-known — but no less important — archaeological site in Peru is getting some much-deserved publicity: Marcahuamachuco, GHF’s newest project site.

GHF In The News

Global Heritage Network Featured by National Geographic

September 20, 2011

GHF is pleased to announce that Global Heritage Network (GHN), an early warning and collaborative solutions platform for cultural heritage sites in developing countries, was the recent subject of a National Geographic online report.

Across the Wire

In Aftermath of Earthquake, Haiti Builds Toward Brighter Future

September 15, 2011

GHF has been investigating a multi-year project of historic monument conservation, community development, training and cultural heritage revitalization for the National History Park of Haiti, inscribed in 1982 as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Success Stories

GHF Çatalhöyük Director Continues Historic Study of 9,500-Year-Old Settlement

September 14, 2011

On the Konya Plain in southern Anatolia lies one of the world’s most fascinating places: Çatalhöyük, the largest and best preserved Neolithic site found to date. So far, it has revealed the world’s earliest extensive mural art—remarkable narratives that show bulls and other animals being hunted by people wearing leopard skins, vultures taking the flesh from headless corpses—and many experts see it as crucial to understanding the origin of civilization in Turkey and the Middle East.

Success Stories

GHF Team Member Q&A: Dan Thompson, PhD

September 14, 2011

Dr. Dan Thompson is GHF’s Director of Global Projects and Global Heritage Network (GHN). He joined GHF full time in January 2008, having previously conducted fieldwork at GHF-supported projects in the Mirador Basin, Guatemala, and at Ani and Çatalhöyük, both in Turkey.

Success Stories

GHF, Partners, Community Work Together to Ensure Wat Phu’s Vast Potential

September 07, 2011

In southern Laos, tucked between the base of mount Phu Kao and the banks of the Mekong River, sits a stunning complex of 1,000-year-old monuments known as Wat Phu (temple-mountain). Dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, it is part of the Champasak cultural landscape, a remarkably well-preserved planned landscape designed to express the Hindu vision of the relationship between nature and humanity, using an axis from mountaintop to riverbank to lay out a geometric pattern of temples, shrines and waterworks spanning some 10 kilometers.

Success Stories

GHF Preservation Fellow Documents Syria’s Endangered Cultural Heritage Sites

September 06, 2011

With a history of civilization that dates back as far as virtually any place on earth, Syria is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of cultural heritage. Sadly, many of its most historic and celebrated sites are at risk due to both natural and man-made factors, leaving the future of Syria’s cultural heritage in a constant—and increasing—state of jeopardy.

Across the Wire

GHF Senior Advisory Board Member Tracks Progress at Pingyao

August 29, 2011

Dr. Vincent Michael, a member of GHF’s Senior Advisory Board (SAB), recently visited Pingyao, where GHF has been working since 2007 to preserve the vernacular architecture, revitalize and stimulate traditional arts, and establish special historic areas. Dr. Michael summarized the trip in an article on his excellent blog, detailing the progress of GHF’s conservation work at Pingyao Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is considered the first banking capital of China.

ACROSS THE WIRE

National Geographic Constructs Clay Model of Göbekli Tepe

August 24, 2011

National Geographic recently featured Göbekli Tepe on the cover its June 2011 issue, in an eight-page story titled “The Birth of Religion.” The article, which discussed how Göbekli Tepe is reshaping ideas about the Neolithic Revolution and the dawn of civilization, brought more attention than ever before to the ancient site, which had never had a conservation program prior to becoming a GHF project site.

SUCCESS STORIES

Banteay Chhmar Restoration Chief Featured in Phnom Penh Post

August 19, 2011

For the past 15 years, Nhok Lo has been steadily gathering experience as a restoration worker at various projects around his native Cambodia. With no formal education in conservation, his skills and knowledge have grown with each new responsibility, and in 2008, he was hired by project director John Sanday to move from Siem Reap to join the GHF Banteay Chhmar team.

Across the Wire

Japan Rescues Cultural Assets in Aftermath of Earthquake and Tsunami

August 12, 2011

On March 11th, when a massive earthquake and tsunami devastated the eastern shores of Japan, a coastal town called Rikuzentakata was among the most violently hit. Approximately 10 percent of its 23,000 residents were killed by the disaster, including one third of its city officials, while the downtown core was turned to rubble. Among the destroyed buildings was a municipal museum—at once a safe haven for the town’s most important cultural relics, then suddenly a ruin.

Across the Wire

Glacial Lake Floods Threaten Nepal Village, Ancient Monastery

August 03, 2011

Halji village, located in northwestern Nepal’s remote Humla district, is a settlement of approximately 400 inhabitants. Best known for its 1000-year-old monastery, a potential World Heritage Site, the village has also become increasingly popular among trekkers due to its position at the end of the Great Himalayan Trail.

Across the Wire

Archaeologists Continue Race Against Clock at Afghanistan’s Mes Aynak

July 28, 2011

As we reported last November, French and Afghan archaeologists have been working feverishly to excavate Mes Aynak, a 9,800-acre site in eastern Afghanistan that contains the ruins of an ancient Buddhist settlement. Since then, the conservation team has expanded to include more than 100 laborers, but the site remains on track for demolition.

SUCCESS STORIES

GHF Announces 2011 Preservation Fellows

July 22, 2011

GHF is pleased to announce the 16 recipients of the 2011 Global Heritage Preservation Fellowships. Intended to support cultural heritage preservation and community development at sites throughout the developing world, the Global Heritage Preservation Fellowship Program provides support to young researchers to make a difference while gaining skills and experience in the field.

ACROSS THE WIRE

AP: Angkor Wat Plagued by Mass Tourism, Insufficient Management

July 19, 2011

At the forefront of Cambodia’s emerging tourism industry, Angkor Wat is regarded by archaeologists as the world’s largest religious building. Built in the 12th century, the complex, located in Siem Reap, spans some 150 square miles and is featured on the nation’s flag.

SUCCESS STORIES

GHF Set to Begin Preservation of Ancient Ur

July 06, 2011

In May, at GHF’s Seminar on Global Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Development in New York, archaeologist Abdulamir Hamdani delivered a comprehensive report on one of Iraq’s most important heritage sites—the ancient city of Ur, home to the world’s largest and oldest ziggurat.

Across the Wire

Illegal Quarrying Leads to Collapse at Hampi’s Varaha Temple

July 01, 2011

A team of experts from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun rebuilding a wall of the Varaha temple, part of UNESCO World Heritage and GHF project site Hampi, after it crumbled due to rainfall and mining in the area.

Across the Wire

International Conference to Focus on Libya’s Endangered Heritage Sites

June 29, 2011

This weekend in Naples, at an international conference focusing on endangered Libyan heritage sites, GHF will be represented by Dr. Serenella Ensoli, director of GHF’s Cyrene project.

Success Stories

GHF Hosts Opening of Historic Maya Exhibition at Quai Branly Museum in Paris

June 20, 2011

From June 21 through October 2, “Maya: From Dawn to Dusk,” an historic exhibition dedicated to the Guatemalan Maya, will be on display at Quai Branly Museum in Paris, and GHF will be there to launch it.

SUCCESS STORIES

GHF’s Newest Project: Marcahuamachuco, Peru

June 17, 2011

GHF has announced its newest conservation project at Marcahuamachuco, a site of Pre-Incan ruins often referred to by archaeologists as “Machu Picchu of the North” and the “Jewel of La Libertad.” GHF will work with the newly-formed Unidad Ejecutivo Marcahuamachuco (UEM), established for regional development of the site and its satellites, to prepare a program of planning, conservation and community development to enable long-term site sustainability.

GHF in the News

Göbekli Tepe Featured on Cover of National Geographic

June 13, 2011

GHF is pleased to announce the publication of National Geographic’s “The Birth of Religion,” a cover story about project site Göbekli Tepe that discusses the significance of its massive pillars and how they are reshaping today’s ideas about the Neolithic Revolution and the dawn of civilization.

Across the Wire

“Fate of Old Beijing” Chronicles Destruction of Ancient Hutongs

June 09, 2011

Since Beijing’s earliest days, its narrow lanes and alleys known as hutongs have been an intricate part of the city’s identity. Once made up almost entirely of these culturally-significant areas, Beijing today is rapidly modernizing, and the old quarters are becoming increasingly threatened by both economic and social forces.

Across the Wire

GHF Remembers Donny George, 1950-2011

June 06, 2011

Donny George, an esteemed Iraqi archaeologist and friend of GHF, passed away this year at the age of 60, leaving behind a legacy of invaluable and everlasting contributions to the preservation of Iraq’s cultural heritage.

Across the Wire

Cyrene Survives Revolt as Tourism, Conservation Halt

May 25, 2011

Tourism and conservation have been put on hold at Cyrene, but the spectacular ancient Greek site has survived Libya’s revolution intact. This, according to a local tour guide, is because tanks were not employed in the deadly fighting in nearby Shahhat, a modern town whose suburbs reach the edge of Cyrene.

ACROSS THE WIRE

ICOMOS Releases New Heritage At Risk Report

May 18, 2011

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) recently released Heritage at Risk, a global report on endangered monuments and sites around the world.

SUCCESS STORIES

Germany to Return Hittite Sphinx to Turkey

May 17, 2011

Germany has agreed to return a 3,500-year-old Hittite sphinx statue to its original location in Turkey, easing tension that had recently threatened several joint conservation projects between the two countries.

Across the Wire

Cultural Heritage Could Provide Needed Economic Diversity for Least Developed Countries

May 10, 2011

In 1971, the United Nations began using the term “Least Developed Country (LDC)” to refer to countries with the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development and the lowest Human Development Index ratings. Since then, a mere three countries—the Maldives, Botswana and Cape Verde—have “graduated” from the classification, while 48 remain.

GHF IN THE NEWS

GHF to Host Seminar on Global Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Development

May 03, 2011

On Wednesday, May 11th, in New York City, GHF will host “Seminar on Global Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Development.”

Across the Wire

Cambodian Temples Reportedly Damaged by Thai Shells; Conflict Shifts Again to Preah Vihear

April 26, 2011

Military fighting continued Tuesday between Cambodian and Thai troops—the latest episode in an ongoing land dispute that over the past five days has claimed at least 12 lives, displaced thousands of villagers and put the area’s cultural heritage sites directly in the line of fire.

GHF IN THE NEWS

GHF’s Mirador Project Profiled in Smithsonian Magazine Cover Story

April 22, 2011

GHF is excited to announce Smithsonian magazine’s publication of “El Mirador, the Lost City of the Maya,” a 14-page cover story in its May 2011 issue.

Across the Wire

International Day for Monuments and Sites Celebrates World’s Cultural Heritage

April 22, 2011

This past Monday marked the 29th annual International Day for Monuments and Sites, which meant special activities to promote cultural heritage around the world.

Success Stories

Prince Albert of Monaco Visits Mirador to Support GHF, PACUNAM Preservation Efforts

April 20, 2011

On March 9th, Prince Albert II of Monaco visited Mirador to witness the tremendous conservation progress made at the site, and to show his support for the Foundation of Cultural and Natural Maya Patrimony (PACUNAM).

SUCCESS STORIES

International Team Restoring Buddha’s Birthplace in Nepal

April 15, 2011

An international conservation team has begun restoring three endangered monuments in southern Nepal at the supposed birthplace of the Buddha.

Across the Wire

Indonesia Requests International Help to Save Borobudur Temple

April 08, 2011

Nearly six months after the deadly eruptions at Mount Merapi last year, Indonesian preservation experts have requested international assistance to help save Borobudur Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

ACROSS THE WIRE

More than 350 Japanese Cultural Properties Damaged by Earthquake and Tsunami

April 01, 2011

Last week, we blogged about damage to the walls of Zuigan-ji temple in the aftermath of the massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan.

Across the Wire

Damaged Zuigan-ji Temple Shelters Earthquake and Tsunami Survivors

March 24, 2011

Zuigan-ji, one of Japan’s most famous Buddhist temples, located in Matsushima, has been damaged as a result of the massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan’s eastern shores last week.

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