For those of us with a passion for anthropology, history, archaeology and the preservation of cultural heritage, the good people at UNESCO and non-profit organizations like the Global Heritage Fund provide inspiration for a more mindful brand of tourism. Inquisitive minds want to know after all, where civilizations began, took root and flourished and in turn, gape at their spectacular collective legacy.
Be thankful then, for the brilliant folks at the Global Heritage Fund. The Palo Alto, California non-profit has one explicit and noble mission: to save the earth’s most significant and endangered cultural heritage sites in developing countries and regions through scientific excellence and community involvement.
A great cause indeed and one which needs the support of mainstream tourists and locals, chary of their cumulative footprint, in order to prosper. With that in mind, here are some cultural heritage sites under threat that deserve your attention.
Dubbed “The Oldest City in the World” by the Global Heritage Fund, Catalhoyuk, which translates as “fork mound”, is a Neolithic site in Turkey that dates back some 10,000 years. Phenomenal, peerless and in danger because of the elements and the effects of rural cultivation, the ancient domestic settlement is a recent discovery, in relative terms.
The intricate mudbrick complex was once home to as many as 10,000 people, with enough murals and artistic artifacts to suggest the presence of a dynamic culture. Unfortunately, erosion over time presents a formidable conservation nightmare for those on site. Konya, a wonderful historic city of more than 1.4 million people, is the ideal place to stop and visit on your way to Catalhoyuk.
Foguang Temple and Mogao Caves, Gansu, China
The Mogao Caves in Gansu province, China compose a fabulous UNESCO World Heritage Site and span a vibrant millenium-long period of Buddhist art and culture. From the 4th century to the 14th century, the caves were a major pilgrimage site on the ancient Silk Road.
In 1937, careful analysis of a Mogao mural shed unprecedented light on the location of a Tang Dynasty temple on nearby Mount Wutai. One of Four Sacred Mountains in Buddhist China, the subsequent discovery of Foguang Temple on Wutai, untouched since the 17th century, is the stuff of archaeology legend. The restoration of the temple is now a major Global Heritage Fund project.
Karnataka has a modern, cosmopolitan capital in Bangalore but far from the technopark call centers, the state in India is rife with history and heritage charm. The UNESCO World Heritage Group of Monuments at Hampi is the most notable example. The former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire has roots that date back to the dawn of the modern era, with formal settlement in the 14th century, and was a cradle of culture and spirituality.
From Chandramauleshwar Temple to Vithhala Temple, Hampi is awash with sacred landmarks and monuments. Muslim invasion in the late 16th century left a vicious mark on Vijayanagara and today, urban expansion and floods pose similar threats. Thankfully, the good people at the Global Heritage Fund are on the case.
Vast and prolific Russia is a challenge for archaeologists but a welcome one nonetheless. The border area of Estonia in Pskov has a brilliant Global Heritage Fund success story in Izborsk Fortress. At over 1,500 years old, the frontier fortification is one of the most prodigious and impressive relics left from ancient Russia.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Culture in Russia, the Global Heritage Fund led a conservation effort to restore Izborsk. With adherence to original designs and the use of authentic materials, the results have been spectacular. The fortress is now a major tourist attraction in Russia.
The widespread dissemination of Hindu culture in Southeast Asia is one of the least understood but most fascinating chapters in the area’s long history. While there are numerous sites in Laos, Thailand and Cambodia that one can visit to appreciate the influence of India in Southeast Asia, the My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam is special.
Sadly, the destructive wrath of the Vietnam War did untold damage to the Champa Kingdom site in Quang Nam province. Today, vandals, thieves and the elements threaten the sanctuary anew. The Global Heritage Fund has made major strides however, in the profuse conservation of the entire temple complex.
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Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Hi Verity,
All of the photos in the article are credited, with links back to your original Flickr page at the bottom.
Great photos by the way.
Best,
Ian Harrison