Global Heritage 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).

Balkh, Afghanistan

“A Great and Noble City” — Marco Polo, 13th Century

November 17, 2010

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A glimpse at Balkh’s history reveals a multitude of cultures that lived there over the past few millennia. Originally inhabited by Indo-Iranian tribes between 2,000-1,500 BC, Balkh (then known as Umm Al-Belaad) was traditionally a center for Zoroastrianism, and the first place where Zoroaster preached his religion.

Lamu, Kenya

Former Trade Capital of East Africa

October 26, 2010

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Lamu is the largest town on Lamu Island, which is in turn part of the Lamu archipelago in Kenya. It is also the headquarters of Lamu town and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. It is one of the oldest and best preserved living settlements among the Swahili towns on the East African coast, with origins dating back to the 12th century AD.

Ayutthaya, Thailand

Venice of the East: Former Siamese Capital

October 26, 2010

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Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai and was one of the most important economic and trade centers of the region.

Intramuros and Fort Santiago Phillippines

Historic Fortresses of the Philippines

October 26, 2010

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Intramuros was built by the Spanish in the 16th century AD, and is the oldest district of the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The Latin translation of intramuros means “within the walls” and refers to the enclosure of the fortress, as the structure was surrounded by high walls and moats.

Mahansthangarh, Bangladesh

Earliest Urban Archaeological Site in Bangladesh

October 26, 2010

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Mahasthangarh is one of the earliest urban archaeological sites in Bangladesh, dating to the 3rd century BC. It was the ancient capital of Pundravardhana, and the fortified area was in use until the 18th century AD.

Maluti Temples, India

Edifices to the Kings of the Pala Dynasty

October 26, 2010

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Maluti, a small village located on the border of Jharkhand and Bengal, is famous for it 108 ancient temples that date back to the 18th century. The temples, made of terracotta, have great historical and religious significance, and contain Pala structures that have helped date the site archaeologically.

Taxila, Pakistan

Crossroads of Industry in the Ancient Middle East

October 26, 2010

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The city of Taxila is home to an important archaeological site of great importance to the Pakistani cultural heritage. This vast complex of ruins includes a Mesolithic cave, four settlement sites, a number of Buddhist monasteries, and Moslem mosques and madrassahs.

Chersonesos, Ukraine

Largest Classical Archaeological site on the Black Sea

October 26, 2010

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To today’s historians, Chersonesos is evidence of an ancient civilization’s ability to plan, design, and build a city as early as 6th century BC. More than two thousand years of unique human history are buried beneath Chersonesos’ current remains, which are now made up of heaps of stones and abandoned mounts.

Damascus, Syria

World’s Oldest Continuously-Inhabited City

October 26, 2010

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With evidence of settlement dating back some 10,000 years, Syria’s capital, Damascus, is regarded by historians as the world’s oldest continuously-inhabited city. Before rising to great significance in the year 635 under the Umayyad dynasty, the city witnessed the rule of Aramaeans and Assyrians, Persians and Seleucids, Romans and Byzantines.

Famagusta, North Cyprus

Ancient Maritime City of Crusader Kings

October 26, 2010

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Founded as early as 3rd century BC, Famagusta, now a city on the east coast of Cyprus, was once an important port for trading and political relationships between the Near East and Europe.

Hishams Palace, Palestine

Sophisticated Complex of Umayyad Empire

October 26, 2010

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Khirbat al-Mafjar, more commonly known as Hisham’s Palace, is the archaeological remains of an Umayyad winter palace located in the Jordan Valley, approximately two kilometres north of Jericho.

Citadelle Laferriere and Sans-Souci Palace, Haiti

Versailles of the Caribbean: Royal Residence of King Henri I

October 26, 2010

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The Citadelle Laferrière (or Citadelle Henri Christophe) is a large mountaintop fortress located in northern Haiti. Constructed in the early 19th century, it is the largest fortress in the Americas, and one of Haiti’s greatest national symbols. The Palace of Sans-Souci (translated from French as “without worry”) was the royal residence of King Henri until his suicide on its grounds in 1820. Today, the palace is mostly in ruins as the result of a major earthquake in 1842, but before its destruction was regarded by many as the Caribbean equivalent of France’s Palace of Versailles.

Mirador, Guatemala

The Cradle of Mayan Civilization

October 26, 2010

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Mirador’s Preclassic Maya cities are more numerous and larger than those found at nearby Tikal National Park, and predate the Classic Maya site of Tikal by 800-1200 years. Mirador’s priceless ancient cities and monuments of the Preclassic Maya period are the most spectacular and unique in Central America. Mirador is Guatemala’s leading nomination for UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription.

Nineveh, Iraq

Ancient Jewel of the Assyrian Empire

October 26, 2010

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Located in northern Iraq near the modern city of Mosul, Nineveh served as the capital of the Assyrian Empire from 705 to 612 BC, and was described in the Book of Jonah as an “exceedingly great city.”

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