The ‘Messak Project’: Archaeological Research for Cultural Heritage Management in SW Libya

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Biagetti ◽  
Emanuele Cancellieri ◽  
Mauro Cremaschi ◽  
Christine Gauthier ◽  
Yves Gauthier ◽  
...  

The Messak plateau contains remarkable evidence of human occupation during prehistoric and historic times, such as rock art engravings, megalithic monuments, and scatters of stone tools. Since 1980 these remains have been heavily affected by oil extraction-related operations, and it has only been over the last decade that these operations were adequately supported by archaeological mitigation strategies. The ‘Messak Project’ was originally conceived as a three-year programme (2010–2012) focusing on a range of co-ordinated actions to increase the knowledge of the area, to assess any damage and potential risks, and to preserve and manage the cultural heritage. Uprisings in Libya led to the sudden interruption of the project in late February 2011. Nevertheless, major results of the projects include: the compilation of a database of circa 10,000 sites, including hundreds of unpublished sites from previous surveys; the discovery of circa 2500 new archaeological sites; and the drawing of a set of GIS-based maps. In this paper we firstly introduce the materials and methods of the ‘Messak Project’, and secondly, we present an updated overview of the archaeological landscape of the Messak in the light of the project’s recent achievements.

Heritage ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 699-732
Author(s):  
Julie A. Hoggarth ◽  
Jaime J. Awe ◽  
Claire E. Ebert ◽  
Rafael A. Guerra ◽  
Antonio Beardall ◽  
...  

Since its inception in 1988, the Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance (BVAR) Project has had two major foci, that of cultural heritage management and archaeological research. While research has concentrated on excavation and survey, the heritage management focus of the project has included the preservation of ancient monuments, the integration of archaeology and tourism development, and cultural heritage education. In this paper, we provide a brief overview on the history of scientific investigations by the BVAR Project, highlighting the project’s dual heritage management and research goals. This background offers the basis in which to discuss the successes and challenges of the project’s efforts in cultural heritage management and public engagement, particularly in early conservation efforts, in its training and educational efforts, and its ongoing outreach activity. We emphasize the need to train Belizeans as professional archaeologists and conservators, to serve as the next generation of advocates for Belize’s heritage management. We offer some ideas on how research projects can make significant contributions to heritage education and preservation in the developing world.


Author(s):  
Ian Shaw

‘Cultural heritage’ discusses the impact of the events of the Arab Spring in 2011 on pharaonic cultural heritage. The first real indication of any threat to Egyptian heritage arrived on 28 January 2011, when protesters set fire to the headquarters of the ruling National Democratic Party in downtown Cairo, which was immediately next door to the Egyptian Museum. In addition to theft from museums or archaeological sites, there was also the phenomenon of ‘land-grabbing’ either for agriculture or building projects. There have been some very innovative approaches to cultural heritage management in Egypt, including the establishment of Egypt's new museums, such as regional museums and the Grand Egyptian Museum.


Nordlit ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
Reidar Bertelsen

<p>Norwegian cultural heritage management is based on a developed and strict legislation. The administration is placed under the Ministry of Environment and the different categories of cultural heritage are handled by a professional staff with different academic backgrounds, relevant to the categories. The ideology of cultural heritage management has changed through time and the present motto is “Vern gjennom bruk” (Protection through use).</p><p>The legislation, the categories linked to different academic disciplines, the motto and the influence of the demands derived from a modern lifestyle add up to an interesting contrast in the handling of buildings. Priority is given to buildings in a relatively stable condition of decay, called archaeological sites, and to buildings with a potential for use in a modern context after reconstruction, called architectural monuments.</p><p>Buildings between these two categories, especially those that are in a state of dynamic decay, are in general ignored or destroyed. This paper discusses the resources we overlook by this policy and practice of management. The author argues that an exposure of the process of dynamic decay has a potential for a deeper understanding of both history and cultural heritage.</p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 5969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ionut Nicu ◽  
Alin Mihu-Pintilie ◽  
James Williamson

Archaeological predictive modelling (APM) is an important method for archaeological research and cultural heritage management. This study tests the viability of a new statistical method for APM. Frequency ratio (FR) is widely used in the field of geosciences but has not been applied in APM. This study tests FR in a catchment from the north-eastern part of Romania to predict the possible location(s) of Eneolithic sites. In order to do that, three factors were used: soils, heat load index and slope position classification. Eighty percent of the sites were used to build the model, while the remaining 20% were used to externally test the model’s performance. The final APM was made with the help of GIS software and classified into four susceptibility classes: very high, high, medium and low. The success rate curve and the prediction rate curve reported values of the area under curve (AUC) of 0.72, and 0.75 respectively. The Kvamme’s Gain value for the model has a value of 0.56. Therefore, the final APM is reliable, so FR is a viable technique for APM. The final map can be successfully used in archaeological research, cultural heritage management and protection, preventive archaeology and sustainable development.


2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 172-176
Author(s):  
Lina Kuklienė ◽  
Dainora Jankauskienė ◽  
Indrius Kuklys

The purpose of the thesis is to analyze the main geodetic databases of Lithuania and to create a geodetic database of cultural heritage objects in Klaipėda using program ArcGIS 9.3. The problem is that the geodetic database storing graphical and attributive information about cultural heritage in Klaipeda city has not been created yet. Thus, in order to incorporate GIS technologies into the management of cultural heritage, starting the creation of such a database seems to be a relevant point. The fully completed and regularly updated geodetic database can be used for cultural heritage management, planning, design, road construction, etc. Therefore, the following objectives have been set: 1) describing geo-data collection and input devices; 2) stimulating the geodetic database that introduces information about buildings, building complexes, cemeteries, locations of archaeological and cultural heritage; 3) giving a detailed description of the database creation process; 4) analyzing the need for establishing a geodetic database of cultural heritage objects in Klaipėda. Santrauka Lietuvoje GIS pagrindu sukurta daug įvairiems tikslams skirtų georeferencinių bei teminių erdvinių duomenų rinkinių. Viena iš šių rinkinių panaudojimo sričių – valstybės registruose esančių duomenų kaupimas. Tokiu principu yra sukurta Kultūros vertybių registro duomenų bazė, kurios pagrindiniai duomenys buvo panaudoti kuriant Klaipėdos miesto kultūros paveldo objektų erdvinių duomenų rinkinį. Siekiant kuo operatyviau įtraukti GIS technologijas į kultūros paveldo objektų tvarkybą, aktualu Klaipėdoje pradėti kurti kultūros paveldo objektų erdvinių duomenų rinkinį. Nuolat atnaujinamas erdvinių duomenų rinkinys palengvins įvairių sričių specialistų atliekamus kultūros paveldo objektų administravimo, teritorijų planavimo, projektavimo, kelių tiesimo ir kitus darbus. Резюме В Литве на основе ГИС для различных целей создано множество гео-ссылок, а также тематических наборов пространственных данных. Область использования одного из множеств – сбор данных, имеющихся в государственном учете. По такому принципу создана регистрационная база культурных ценностей, основные данные которой были использованы при создании набора пространственных данных объектов культурного наследия города Клайпеды. С целью оперативно обеспечить управление объектами культурного наследия технологиями ГИС следует начать создание набора пространственных данных объектов культурного наследия в Клайпеде. Полностью заполненный и постоянно обновляемый набор пространственных данных облегчит работу специалистов в различных областях: администрировании объектов культурного наследия, планировании территорий, проектировании, строительстве дорог и других.


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