In March 2013, a visit to Cairo by UNESCO Director General, Irina Bokova, highlighted major concerns about the new threats to archeological sites in Egypt.  It has become very clear that over the last six months many of Egypt’s national heritage sites, especially Dahshur in Giza and Tel Al-Amarna in Minya have been vandalized. 

During this trip, various projects that have been funded and supported by UNESCO were discussed and new action plans are being created.  These new projects include the construction of the National Museum for Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in the Fustat area in Old Cairo and the Historic Cairo Rehabilitation Project (HCRP). In addition, there have been talks about establishing a regional center for World Heritage in Cairo focusing on Africa, which according to the officials will help African countries to protect their archeological sites listed on the World Heritage List as well as providing training for African archeologists and curators.

The Egyptian officials said that UNESCO did not threaten to remove Egypt’s sites from the World Heritage List but have listed many concerns about these sites.  These officials also stated that the government has now issued over fifty four urgent declarations.

Mangrove forest, Qeshm (photo: V. Schick)

Global commitment towards the conservation of biodiversity is of critical importance. The accelerating rates of loss of floral and faunal species and the projected negative impacts of this loss on humankind have been greatly described by many scientists.  Marine ecosystems are continuously in danger of extinction.  A great example of these disappearing and in danger ecosystems is the “Hara forests”.

The “Hara forests” is the common name for mangrove forests on the southern coast of Iran, particularly on and near the island of Qeshm in the Persian Gulf. Dominated by the species Avicennia marina, known locally as the “hara” or “harra” tree, the forests represent an important ecological resource. The “Hara Protected Area” on Quesm is a biosphere reserve where commercial use is restricted to fishing (mainly shrimp), tourist boat trips, and limited mangrove cutting for animal feed.  Hara forests are major habitats for migratory birds, reptiles, fish, arthropods and bivalves.

This area was recognized by the Man and the Biosphere program (MAB) of UNESCO in 1977 and then listed on the UNESCO’s national environmental heritage list in 2007.  However, the condition of Hara forests and the mangroves have continuously worsened and this great natural heritage site is greatly in danger of devastation.

Factors threatening or adversely impacting mangroves include:  industrial and shipping pollution, dumping of chemicals into the sea, excess mangrove cutting for animal feed, climate change,  lack of education on environmental issues and awareness about reproductive ecology, poor regulatory standards and laws, lack of proper attention by the local and governmental authorities, and road construction within the Nayband forests (which created a seawater connection this region) resulting in destroying part of the mangrove forests.

World Cultural Heritage Voices Organization held an exhibit booth at Nowrouz Festival event on March 17th at California State University Union in Sacramento. The booth featured a real-size replica of Cyrus Cylinder and pictures of several of Iranian Cultural and Historical Buildings.

Nowrouz Festival is an annual celebration event that is set up by various organizations at CSUS in Sacramento and is well attended by the Iranian American community of Sacramento.

The event features traditional costumes, music, dance and food to celebrate Nowruz as well as communicatin of Nowruz Heritage and history to the community. The booth was visited by many attendees who were curious about the mission of the organization.

Ms. Lillee Mozaffari and Ms. Deniz Hazegh, two members of WCHV’s Board of Trustees, shown here greeting attendees at the event and displaying the replica of the Cyrus Cylinder.

Archaeologists have argued for centuries about what Stonehenge really meant and why it was built.  A team of British researchers from a number of universities including universities of Southampton, Manchester, Bournemouth, Sheffield, London, York and Durham presented new theories about the origins and purpose of Stonehenge earlier this month: It may have started as a giant burial ground for elite families around 3,000 B.C.  This group of academics who have done extensive research, propose that that Stonehenge should be seen less a temple of worship than a kind of building project that served to unite people from across Britain.  They also believe that the builders converged seasonally to build Stonehenge, a ritual that was likely done over several years.

Researchers studied more than 50,000 cremated bone fragments excavated from the site and suggest that about 500 years before the Stonehenge we know today was built, a larger stone circle was erected at the same site as a community graveyard.  The archeologists studied the cremated bones of 63 individuals, and believe that they were buried around 3,000 B.C.  Analysis of the remains of a settlement near the monument indicated that thousands of people traveled from as far as Scotland to the site, bringing their livestock and then slaughtering them in nearby site during the winter and summer solstices celebrations.

According to the Guardian newspaper, this autumn visitors to Stonehenge will see more interpretation of its complex history when the new visitor center finally opens.