New Early Warning System Spotlights Endangered Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Sites
Initial Growth a Resounding Success
The Global Heritage Network (GHN), the world's first early warning and site monitoring system dedicated exclusively to endangered cultural heritage sites in developing countries, became operational in March of 2011. Since then, GHN efforts have been joined by hundreds of conservation experts around the world. The Network features updated satellite imagery for 175 of the developing world’s most significant archaeological and cultural heritage sites, including profile information on at least 80 of those sites. The Network has been spotlighted by major media organizations such as National Geographic and USA Today.
What may come as a surprise to many, however, are some of the world's long-held, well-known "celebrity" sites that the GHN has determined to be in need of urgent rescue: Egypt's Ancient Thebes with its necropolis, as well as Ancient Abydos; Leptis Magna, Libya; Great Zimbabwe National Monument in Zimbabwe; and Tiwanaku, Bolivia. These are sites that are defined as "in critical need of conservation intervention to ensure long term preservation". The less urgent but still critical "at risk" designation has been assigned to such other well-known sites as Petra, Jordan; Teotihuacan, Mexico; Egypt's Memphis and its necropolis and the pyramid fields from Giza to Dahshur; Ur, Iraq; and lesser-known Göbekli Tepe, Turkey, a site that is considered perhaps the oldest Neolithic monumental center in the world. And "destroyed" are the cultural landscape and archaeological remains of the Bamiyan Valley in Afghanistan (which made relatively recent news headlines) and the Allianol Roman Bath complex in Turkey. These are "sites that have been completely destroyed due to natural disasters, looting, war & conflict, development pressures, or other factors".
Using Google Earth and social networking, combined with scientific mapping software from Esri, satellite imagery from DigitalGlobe, and imagery analysis software from Exelis Visual Information Solutions (formerly ITT Visual Information Solutions), GHN has now provided a real-time interactive database tool for international experts, local communities, fundraisers, volunteers and visitors/travelers. It is hoped that the database will help global efforts to protect, preserve and sustain critical archaeological and cultural heritage sites, sites that exhibit significant cultural value to the world -- and an untapped potential for facilitating much-needed economic growth in the developing country hosts.
Initial efforts to realize the Network's vision do seem to be working. “The success and growth of GHN in its first year is an encouraging sign for the long-term protection of our global heritage,” said Jeff Morgan, Executive Director of GHF. "Already, thanks to GHN, we are seeing individuals come together in the hundreds to protect and preserve our cultural heritage for future generations.”[1] The GHN website features a GHN Community social network, already consisting of at least 71 groups and more than 870 members that include professionals, students and volunteer enthusiasts.
Experts, funders and enthusiasts aside, simply raising awareness among the public about these sites is a prime goal of the GHN efforts. Any person can now visit the network's website and view updated satellite imagery and maps of the sites, read profile overviews that relate the history, significance and threats, review detailed site conservation assessment reports, and view photos and videos.
Although much has been accomplished in a short time, GHN administrators know that there is a long way to go before the ultimate purpose of the network can be fulfilled. "Major archaeological and cultural heritage sites are being damaged and destroyed at an alarming rate around the globe", say planners....."perhaps nowhere as quickly as in developing countries and regions with limited financial resources or expertise available."[2]
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[1] http://globalheritagefund.org/onthewire/blog/global_heritage_network
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