scholarly journals Reconstructing Cultural Heritage in Conflict Zones: Should Palmyra be Rebuilt?

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 33-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nour A. Munawar
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Cultural Property ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Daily News ◽  
Conflict Zones ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Economic Significance ◽  
Museum Staff

Cultural heritage has fallen under the threat of being of damaged and/or erased due to armed conflicts, and destruction has increasingly become a major part of daily news all over the world. The destruction of cultural heritage has escalated in Syria as the ongoing armed conflict has spread to World Heritage Sites, such as Palmyra and the old city of Aleppo. The devastation of Syria’s war has deliberately and systematically targeted archaeological monuments dating from the prehistoric, Byzantine, Roman, and Islamic periods, with no distinction being made of the cultural, historical, and socio-economic significance of such sites. The violence of this conflict is not, of course, limited to the destruction of cultural property, and has first and foremost served to introduce non-state radical actors, such as Daesh, who targeted local people, archaeological site, museum staff and facilities. The destruction and re-purposing of monuments in Syria, such as Daesh’s attempts to turn churches into mosques, are heavy-handed attempts to re-write history by erasing physical evidence. In this paper, I explore the semantics of continuous attempts to reconstruct cultural heritage sites, destroyed by Daesh, during the ongoing war, and how the destruction and reconstruction of Syria’s heritage have been deployed to serve political agendas.

scholarly journals UNESCO international activities to protect the cultural heritage of Iraq and Syria in 2015-2017

nauka.me ◽  
2017 ◽  
pp. 0
Author(s):  
Olesia Gretskaia
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Cultural Property ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Illegal Trade ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
World Cultural Heritage ◽  
International Activities

The article focuses on the international activities of UNESCO (2015-2017) to protect the world cultural heritage in Iraq and Syria from the devastating consequences of armed conflicts and terrorist attacks. The author pays special attention to aspects of the Organization's strategy for the prevention of the destruction of World Heritage sites (or their restoration) and the suppress of the illegal trade of cultural property. This strategy includes establishing cooperation with other international organizations and states, and the article gives examples of international contacts on the protection of cultural heritage.

Kulturgüterschutz im System der Vereinten Nationen

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Human Memory ◽  
Cultural Property ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Human Rights Protection ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Terrorist Groups ◽  
Core Elements

The images of the destroyed Buddha statues of Bamiyan, of the ancient city of Palmyra lying in ruins, and of destroyed World Heritage sites in Timbuktu have received much attention from the international public. At the same time, these cases also reflect a new dimension in the conduct of armed hostilities today, which is increasingly aimed at destroying cultural identities or heritage. Therefore, in addition to the issue of preserving the world's cultural heritage, especially in the context of human rights protection and international humanitarian law, the protection of cultural property is seen as an increasingly important task for the United Nations and its institutions. Pieces of Art, significant written documents, memorials, and places of worship are deliberately destroyed in conflicts by armed or terrorist groups, such as the so-called Islamic State, as they represent core elements of cultural identity. The increasing number of reports on the loss of priceless cultural assets in Syria, Iraq and Mali exemplify this. Increasingly, violent non-state actors are deliberately using the destruction of cultural property as a means of warfare and even "ethnic cleansing." For the international community, this makes the protection of cultural property in armed conflicts and in the field of restoring statehood at the same time increasingly significant. The preservation of this global human memory is one of the greatest challenges of modern social, political, and legal discourses. Although the use of the destruction of cultural property to divide societies, even to erase a collective memory or destroy social structures, has long been part of warfare, this aspect has been insufficiently considered by the media public and especially in academic discourse. With contributions by Frederik Becker, Dr. Manuel Brunner, Paul Fabel, Dr. Martin Gerner, Dario Haux, Ruth Lechner, Prof. Dr. Antionette Maget Dominicé and Vincent Widdig.

scholarly journals Von militärischer Notwendigkeit zu individueller Verantwortlichkeit – Der Fall „Al Mahdi“ als Zäsur in der strafrechtlichen Ahndung von Kulturgutzerstörung auf internationaler Ebene

2020 ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Maximilian Gröber
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Historical Development ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Cultural Property ◽  
Individual Responsibility ◽  
The Political ◽  
Unesco World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Military Necessity

From military necessity to individual responsibility – the “Al Mahdi” case as a caesura in the criminal punishment of the destruction of cultural property on an international levelIn April 2012, the Islamist group Ansar Dine launched an attack on the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Timbuktu, Mali. Besides illustrating the political and religious backgrounds that led to this action, the purpose of this paper is to highlight the historical development of the international legal framework for the protection of cultural heritage, including the trial against Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, who was in charge of the Timbuktu attacks. As will be shown, the case has the potential to set a precedent. 

scholarly journals International legal foundations of responsibility for international crimes against cultural heritage in conditions of armed conflicts

Legal Ukraine ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 67-72
Author(s):  
Oleksandr Bazov
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
International Community ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
Cultural Property ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
International Crimes ◽  
The Hague

The article is devoted to the analysis of issues of international legal provision of responsibility for international crimes in the field of protection of cultural values. The main international legal acts and case law in this area are analyzed. Proposals for improving international and domestic legal acts are provided. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ideal of a free human person free from fear and need can only be realized if conditions are created in which everyone can enjoy their economic, social, cultural and political rights. Understanding the systemic nature of these rights implies the creation of appropriate conditions for their implementation at both national and international levels, including in the field of judicial protection. As the realization of economic, social, political and cultural rights is complex, systemic, the issues of preservation and protection of cultural values have recently become especially important, as it applies not only to the state in which they are located, but also to all peoples of the world. Thus, the preservation and protection of cultural heritage sites, especially in armed conflicts, is a matter not only of an individual state, but of the entire international community. As you know, issues of protection of cultural values are constantly in the field of view of the international community. In particular, these issues were reflected in the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, especially in the Hague Regulations of 1907. The most important international legal act on the preservation and treatment of cultural heritage sites in armed conflict is the Hague Convention of 14 May 1954 on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its Additional Protocols of 1954 and 1999, respectively, which is perceived as a universally recognized universal set of norms in the field of protection of cultural values. Key words: international criminal court, cultural values, cultural heritage, international crimes.

scholarly journals Conceptual Framework for On-site Digital Interpretation Developments in Cultural Heritage Sites

2022 ◽  
Vol 07 (01) ◽  
pp. 64-84
Author(s):  
R. Wimalasuriya ◽  
A. Kapukotuwa ◽  
G. Ranasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Five Phases ◽  
Cultural World ◽  
Heritage Interpretation

On-site heritage interpretation plays a vital role in cultural heritage sites in conveying the significance and multiple heritage values to the visitors. In an era where the world is transforming with innovative digital applications, the heritage sites are also being integrated with digital interpretation techniques to deliver a better interpretation and new dimensional experience to the visitors. Though multiple digital solutions are available, not all the techniques are appropriate, applicable and feasible to every site. Besides, neither proper worldwide principles nor framework has been exerted for these digital heritage interpretation developments. Therefore, this study is focused on building a generic conceptual framework to select the most appropriate digital interpretation technique(s) that fit the context of the heritage site, giving special reference to the six Cultural World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. The relevant qualitative and quantitative data were gathered via in-depth interviews, field observation, literature survey and a visitor survey questionnaire. The main themes and sub-themes derived through the thematic analysis were adopted as the theoretical framework for the research to analyze the collected data of the six Cultural World Heritage Sites and the selected digital techniques. Based on the results, the study recommends appropriate digital techniques for each Cultural World Heritage Sites of the country. Further as aimed, the study presents a conceptual framework for on-site digital interpretation developments for cultural heritage sites by categorizing the 24 criteria derived for data analysis under five phases namely ‘Prepare’, ‘Assess’, ‘Design’, ‘Implement’ and ‘Sustain’.

The development of legal framework for the management of World Heritage Sites in Oman: a case study on Bahla Oasis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Ali Mohamed Khalil ◽  
Eman Hanye Mohamed Nasr
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Heritage Management ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Content Type ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
The World ◽  
Heritage Legislation

PurposeThe study aims to analyze the development of Omani heritage legislation against the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (WHC), 1972 and WHC Operational Guidelines (WHC-OGs) to predict the possible effects of the recent developments on the management of the World Heritage Site in Oman.Design/methodology/approachThis study discusses the development of the heritage protection legislation in Sultanate of Oman since 1970; it analyses the Omani Cultural Heritage Law 35/2019 against the recommendations of the UNESCO WHC as well as the requirements of the World Heritage Operational Guidelines. Moreover, the research investigates the possible effects of the recent heritage legislation developments on the management of Bahla Fort and Oasis in Oman, which is the first Omani World Heritage Site and the only site with special management regulations.FindingsThe paper outlines the effects of both the Omani Cultural Heritage Law 35/2019 and the Special Management Regulations 81/2019 on the implementation of the Bahla Management Plan. Additionally, the research establishes how the customization of heritage legislation as a special heritage management regulation facilitates the implementation of national legislation to solve specific local problems.Originality/valueThe study establishes the significance of developing comprehensive legislation to protect and manage the rich Omani cultural heritage and World Heritage Sites in alignment with the WHC and the WHC-OGs.

scholarly journals The Assessment of Historic Towns’ Outstanding Universal Value Based on the Interchange of Human Values They Exhibit

Heritage ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1874-1891
Author(s):  
Abdel Tawab
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Town Planning ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Human Values ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value

Influences exerted by cultural heritage properties on developments in architecture, town planning, or landscape design represent one of the criteria that are used to evaluate the Outstanding Universal Value of the properties nominated for listing as World Heritage Sites, which is criterion (ii). In 1996, the wording of criterion (ii) was revised to address the interchange of human values exhibited by cultural heritage properties. The main aim of this study was to discuss the changes that occurred to the application of criterion (ii) following the revision of its wording of 1996, particularly in relation to historic towns. The study also aimed at investigating the applicability of the revised version of criterion (ii) to the particularity of the cultural heritage of an Egyptian historic town and a potential World Heritage Site, which is “Historic quarters and monuments of Rosetta/Rachid”. To achieve these aims, a sample of World Heritage Sites, or potential ones, representing both the pre-1996 and the post-1996 historic towns whose Outstanding Universal Value was justified based on criterion (ii), was adopted for the analysis of the changes in the application of criterion (ii). Subsequently, a brief preview of the major features that represent the mutual influences experienced throughout Rosetta’s wider cultural context was carried out. The findings revealed that the prevalent trend in the post-1996 listings of historic towns is the emphasis on other cultures’ influences exerted on the concerned historic towns through interchanges of human values that take the form of exchanges of technical know-how, traditions and religious values. The findings also indicated the applicability of the revised version of criterion (ii) to the particularity of Rosetta’s cultural heritage. The study recommends inscribing Rosetta on the World Heritage List based on criterion (ii).

scholarly journals Mobile AR: User Evaluation in a Cultural Heritage Context

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (24) ◽  
pp. 5454
Author(s):  
Anabela Marto ◽  
Alexandrino Gonçalves
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
User Evaluation ◽  
Virtual Model ◽  
Mobile Augmented Reality ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Augmented Reality Application ◽  
Mobile Ar

The growing number of mobile augmented reality applications has been favoring its awareness and usage among diversified areas. Focusing on cultural heritage applications, this study presents an evaluation of a mobile augmented reality application tested at Conimbriga, an archaeological site. The prototype developed for this purpose, named DinofelisAR, allowed users to view, over 360 degrees, a majestic reconstruction of a Forum from the Roman Era superimposed over its current ruins. Thus, users were able to keep perceiving the present-day surroundings of a Roman city in ruins while, at the same time, had the possibility to explore the matching virtual model. The results presented, arising from 90 participants involved in this evaluation, praise the sense of opportunity for new augmented reality solutions targeted at cultural heritage sites.

scholarly journals An Application of the A’WOT Analysis for the Management of Cultural Heritage Assets: The Case of the Historical Farmhouses in the Aglié Castle (Turin)

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Bottero ◽  
Chiara D’Alpaos ◽  
Alessia Marello
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Unesco World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Decision Aiding ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Real Estate Assets

In recent years, governments, public institutions, and local communities have devoted growing attention to the identification of promising strategies for the preservation and valorization of cultural heritage assets. Decisions on the management of cultural heritage assets based on multiple, often conflicting, criteria and on the stakes of various, and potentially non-consensual actors and stakeholders. In this context, in which the trade-offs between the preservation of assets historical symbolic values and the adaptation to alternative and economically profitable uses play a key role in investment decisions, multi-criteria analyses provide robust theoretical and methodological frameworks to support decision-makers in the design and implementation of adaptive reuse strategies for cultural heritage and public real estate assets. In this paper, we provide a multi-criteria decision aiding approach for ranking valorization strategies of cultural heritage assets aimed at promoting their restoration and conservation, as well as at creating cultural and economic benefits. In detail, we present a novel application of the A’WOT analysis to support the design and implementation of alternative management strategies of abandoned cultural heritage assets. The paper focuses on the potential reuse and management of four historical farmhouses (Cascina Mandria, Cascina Lavanderia, Cascina Gozzani, and Cascina Ortovalle) located in the Agliè Castle estate, one of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, currently listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

COMPETING HERITAGE: CURATING THE POST-CONFLICT HERITAGE OF ROMAN SYRIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-165
Author(s):  
NOUR A. MUNAWAR
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Collective Memory ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Cultural Patrimony ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Government Organizations ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Syrian Civil War ◽  
The Arab Spring ◽  
Continuous Destruction

AbstractSince the beginning of the armed conflicts and public uprisings that accompanied and followed the ‘Arab Spring’ that started in 2010, cultural heritage sites have been hit hard, damaged and often destroyed by different perpetrators. The Syrian Civil War has resulted in unprecedented damage to cultural heritage sites, monuments, and facilities. This has provoked observers, politicians, and international and national non-government organizations to debate about the impacts of damaging Syria's ‘irreplaceable’ patrimony and how to safeguard its past from the ongoing destructive actions. This paper investigates the transformation of the terminology of heritage—and the uses of heritage—in Syria before and during the ongoing conflict, and how the internationally renowned term ‘heritage’ emerged to promote the destruction of Syria's cultural patrimony. This paper explores the semantics and impacts of the continuous destruction and the ongoing reconstruction plans on the cultural heritage of Syria. To conclude, I argue that those destructive actions started a process of ‘heritagizing’ the present which will eventually become a part of the Syrian collective memory.

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