Category: Endangered Sites
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The Site of Palmyra, Syria
By Sehee Liz Lee Palmyra, located north-east of Damascus, in the Syrian Desert, was a caravan oasis on a trade route that linked the Mediterranean world with lands to the south and east such as India and China. In that sense, Palmyra was the crossroads of different ancient civilizations and cultures. The site of Palmyra…
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Libya Remains on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Danger
All five of Libya’s World Heritage Sites were put on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites in Danger in 2016 and they remain there. The reason is the high level of instability in Libya and damage due to looting and armed conflucts in and around the sites. These include: the Rock Art Sites of…
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Nan Madol – Sacred City of Micronesia
The Site: Nan Madol, The Federated States of Micronesia. The Location: Offshore along the eastern coast of Pohnpei Island. Description: Nan Madol is a series of more than 100 human constructed islets made of artificual basalt and coral boulders. The islets are home to the megalithic ruins of temples, tombs, palaces and residences built between…
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Bears Ears National Monument, Utah
The Site: Bears Ears National Monument The Location: Utah, U.S.A., in San Juan Country in Southeastern Utah on public land. The Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, oversees the sites. The Threat: President Donald Trump approved the U.S. Secretary of the Interior recommendation for a significant downsizing of the land included in…
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West Berkeley Shellmound and Village Site
The Site: West Berkeley Shellmound & Ceremonial & Burial site, CA-ALA-307, USA. Contact: Corrina Gould, Sogorea Té Land Trust The Location: 1990 Fourth Street, Alameda County, Berkeley, CA, opposite Spenger’s Fish Grotto. It is located on private land. The Threat: A mixed-use development of shops, apartments and an underground parking garage that would destroy…
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Pahne Maritime Village, California
Part of the Pahne Village Complex, a Traditional Cultural Property and Sacred Site, is known by its designation as CA-SDI-13325. It is currently endangered by US Marine Corps military operations that are degrading the site. Who Considers the Site Sacred? Descendants of Pechanga and Juaneño Acjachemen tribes. Pachanga and Juaneño Acjachemen tribal representatives made an…