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Bulldozed Belize Mayan site: the latest in a litany of heritage disasters Bulldozed Belize Mayan site: the latest in a litany of heritage disasters
(4 months later)
If hardly on the scale of the outrage provoked by the Taliban's dynamiting of Afghanistan's Bamiyan Buddhas in 2001, the bulldozing of a Mayan archeological site dating back at least 2,300 years in Belize has shocked many, particularly because the ancient ceremonial site of Nohmul (or Big Hill) was destroyed by a local building contractor solely in order to use the mound's rich limestone and gravel content to fill roads in a nearby town. A question, in other words – at least, one hopes so – of ignorance rather than ideology.If hardly on the scale of the outrage provoked by the Taliban's dynamiting of Afghanistan's Bamiyan Buddhas in 2001, the bulldozing of a Mayan archeological site dating back at least 2,300 years in Belize has shocked many, particularly because the ancient ceremonial site of Nohmul (or Big Hill) was destroyed by a local building contractor solely in order to use the mound's rich limestone and gravel content to fill roads in a nearby town. A question, in other words – at least, one hopes so – of ignorance rather than ideology.
In countries without well-developed, and well-enforced, mechanisms for protecting their heritage, such "callous, ignorant and unbelievable acts" – as the Belize government described them – are not uncommon. Belizean law makes clear that all pre-Hispanic ruins are under government protection, but that has not stopped the partial or total destruction of several other such sites in recent years. And elsewhere in South America, says archaeologist Francisco Estrada-Belli of Boston University: "I don't think I am exaggerating if I say that every day, a Maya mound is being destroyed for construction in one of the countries where the Maya lived."In countries without well-developed, and well-enforced, mechanisms for protecting their heritage, such "callous, ignorant and unbelievable acts" – as the Belize government described them – are not uncommon. Belizean law makes clear that all pre-Hispanic ruins are under government protection, but that has not stopped the partial or total destruction of several other such sites in recent years. And elsewhere in South America, says archaeologist Francisco Estrada-Belli of Boston University: "I don't think I am exaggerating if I say that every day, a Maya mound is being destroyed for construction in one of the countries where the Maya lived."
But not all heritage damage or destruction takes place in countries like Belize. The Unesco list of world heritage sites in danger currently numbers about 40 sites – half of them natural, half cultural or architectural – in countries ranging from Iraq to Georgia, Peru to Yemen, and Kosovo to Mali. War is, of course, no respecter of buildings ancient or otherwise: many sites on the list are threatened by "civil unrest", "insecurity" or "military action". The 12th-century Umayyad mosque in the old city of Aleppo, a world heritage site, was destroyed in fighting in Syria last month.But not all heritage damage or destruction takes place in countries like Belize. The Unesco list of world heritage sites in danger currently numbers about 40 sites – half of them natural, half cultural or architectural – in countries ranging from Iraq to Georgia, Peru to Yemen, and Kosovo to Mali. War is, of course, no respecter of buildings ancient or otherwise: many sites on the list are threatened by "civil unrest", "insecurity" or "military action". The 12th-century Umayyad mosque in the old city of Aleppo, a world heritage site, was destroyed in fighting in Syria last month.
But countries that have no such excuse may also find themselves on the list. In Britain, the Ancient Monuments Consolidation and Amendment Act has protected what English Heritage calls "special and significant physical remains of the nation's history" for a full century now. Yet Liverpool's so-called Maritime Mercantile City, granted world heritage site status in 2004, is currently endangered by a planned £5.5bn development known as Liverpool Waters.But countries that have no such excuse may also find themselves on the list. In Britain, the Ancient Monuments Consolidation and Amendment Act has protected what English Heritage calls "special and significant physical remains of the nation's history" for a full century now. Yet Liverpool's so-called Maritime Mercantile City, granted world heritage site status in 2004, is currently endangered by a planned £5.5bn development known as Liverpool Waters.
And sometimes, even the best of intentions can result in significant damage to heritage. Last year a retired businessman, Roger Penny, found himself at the centre of a storm after paying a contractor to "tidy up" a 5,000-year-old prehistoric earthwork ring in Somerset known as Priddy Circles. Penny was fined £10,000 and had to pay £38,000 for restoration work to the monument, considered one of Britain's most important Neolithic sites, after his contractor caused "serious archaeological damage" by filling in parts of it with rubble to make it look smarter.And sometimes, even the best of intentions can result in significant damage to heritage. Last year a retired businessman, Roger Penny, found himself at the centre of a storm after paying a contractor to "tidy up" a 5,000-year-old prehistoric earthwork ring in Somerset known as Priddy Circles. Penny was fined £10,000 and had to pay £38,000 for restoration work to the monument, considered one of Britain's most important Neolithic sites, after his contractor caused "serious archaeological damage" by filling in parts of it with rubble to make it look smarter.
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