Testaments to Human Genius
In 1965, the United States thought of cultural conservation with nature conservation. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee came about.
UNESCO administers the International World Heritage Programme, which has a list of places of cultural or physical significance. It can be a city, complex, building, or monument. It can also be desert, forest, island, lake, or mountain. It must be able to tell something about a significant stage in human history or contain exceptional beauty, both of which are of aesthetic importance. They are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
As of 2014, 1007 sites are listed. Cultural properties include India's Taj Mahal, the Old City of Salamanca, Spain, and Mexico's Chichen Itza, while natural consist of Mount Kenya National Park, Australia's Uluru, and Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. The cultural sites have a storied past, with the kings having thought of building these structures for his minions to inspire and for future generations to appreciate. Civilizations have come and go, which is why most in the new list are manmade. Many will remain undiscovered if not for technology. The change in political climate allows access to some of these structures.
The UNESCO stamp of approval guarantees increase in the number of tourists. This is most beneficial to developing countries, but what is more important is these sites won't be lost. They'll be protected, allowing scientists and historians to study it further. Here are two (of the twenty) sites cited by the agency:
The Andean Road System. The Inca realm, the largest empire in pre-Columban America, was centered on the Andes, several ranges of snow-capped peaks and active volcanoes with an average height of thirteen thousand feet. It covers much of the western coast of South America, crossing seven countries. During its height, the kingdom included Peru, western and south central Bolivia, north and central Chile, northwest Argentina, large parts of Ecuador, and small part of southern Colombia. It can be compared to the empires of Eurasia, but one might wonder how the Incas managed to establish a network in high altitude. The Qhapac Ñan Andean Road System was the answer, which took years and lots of effort. They are still in good condition, but one must see the trail to Machu Picchu, a familiar icon of Inca civilization, to marvel at the Incas' ingenuity in engineering.
Pyu city-states. Irrawaddy and Chindwin, the largest rivers in Myanmar, once supported a great civilization centuries ago. Near the banks were Buddhist stupas, a sign that India influenced these parts. A trade between the Pyu kingdom and the ancient Indian states took place between 200 B.C. and 900 A.D., with the Burmese importing Buddhism and other cultural concepts. The most famous of these are found in Bagan, where more than 10,000 temples and pagodas dot the plains, a romantic setting that inspired the likes of Kipling. Only 2,200 of those survived the elements, many of which need renovation. But they are still a sight to behold.
