GHF in the News - 2010 News Archives

Report says ancient sites are 'vanishing'

October 2010

A new report by the San Francisco-based Global Heritage Fund (GHF) says some twelve historic sites around the world are “on the verge of vanishing.”

According to the report, nearly 200 sites in developing countries are at risk, with twelve on the verge of total destruction due to mismanagement and neglect.

Middle East houses three of the most endangered sites; the ruined city of Ani, on the border of Turkey and Armenia, Nineveh in northern Iraq and Hisham’s Palace in the Palestinian territories.

“The whole Middle East is a treasure trove,” GHF executive director Jeff Morgan told CNN.

“Petra [in Jordan] is already huge. There’s Palmyra and Aleppo in Syria. Jordan has Jerash, Libya has Sabratha and Iran has huge tourism to all its sites because they’re so incredible.”

Morgan emphasized that the region had great tourism potentials and restoring these heritage sites would attract even more tourists who can bring sustainable income to local communities.

Although lack of funding has limited the possibilities of restoring sites in the Middle East, Morgan says there have been successful projects in the region such as Catalhoyuk, in Turkey where locals are trained to preserve the site.

“In the Middle East, sites have been looted and pillaged and rebuilt on for thousands of years,” he said.

“That’s why what’s happening now is so critical—because of scarcity. There are so few intact ruins and historic districts left.”

Mahansrhangarh (Bangladesh), Mirador (Guatemala), Palace of Sans Souci (Haiti), Maluti Temples (India), Lamu (Kenya), Famagusta (Cyprus), Taxila (Pakistan), Chersonesos (Ukraine) and Intramuros and Fort Santiago (the Philippines) are the other endangered sites listed in the GHF report.