Global Heritage Fund

Deep in the thick jungle brush of northern Colombia’s Sierra Nevada Mountains lay the ruins of Ciudad Perdida, the “Lost City” of the Tayrona people. Santiago Giraldo, our Director of Latin America, and Nada Hosking, our Director of Programs and Partnerships, discuss the history of Ciudad Perdida, challenges and successes of GHF’s work there, and tips for planning a visit to this mysterious “Lost City."

In today’s podcast interview with architectural historian Leo Schmidt, we explore trends in historic conservation, predictions for the future of heritage and communities, and an unusual strategy for travelers to discover historic areas off the beaten path.

Beijing-based preservation architect Kuanghan Li discusses working with modern residents living in historic Chinese buildings, how rapid modernization is changing cultural tourism, and the challenges facing heritage sites in China.

Why has the term “heritage” become so popular recently? In today’s episode, we explore how international heritage is experiencing an unexpected renaissance and what the growing popularity of heritage may mean for the future of conservation.

What are the economic benefits of historic preservation? Is it better to construct new buildings or repurpose old ones? Why do many startups choose historic districts for their headquarters? International preservation expert Donovan Rypkema answers these questions and more in today’s episode.

Calling all archaeology lovers! Learn about the ancient city of Sagalassos, one of the most well-preserved sites in the Mediterranean. Once an economic and political hub, the ruins of this magnificent city lay largely abandoned for hundreds of years. Hear about its unique history and how excavation is now revealing fascinating discoveries.

Stefaan Poortman, CEO of Global Heritage Fund, discusses GHF’s approach to community involvement and conservation, how technology can help conserve and document historic sites, and future trends in the heritage field.

Have you heard about AMAL in Heritage? Global Heritage Fund is working on an app to help endangered heritage sites in the Middle East and North Africa. Learn about this new tool for culture in crisis.

Hear how Germany is returning a tattooed Maori skull to New Zealand, a revolutionary scientist is deciphering 2,000-year-old scrolls buried by Vesuvius, and more in the latest episode of the Global Heritage Fund podcast.

Heritage Roundup on June 1 A roundup of recent news from the heritage field: – Archeologists solve the mystery of a green, mummified baby hand attached to a not-so-mummified skeleton – How the biodiversity of sacred sites could help world conservation – A robot discovered the "holy grail of shipwrecks" containing billions of dollars in cargo
 – Tourist are fined for stealing ancient artifacts from Pompeii
 – A hiking trail in the Sinai Peninsula develops new tourism options in Egypt
 – Researchers discover the lost royal city of Mardama from clues in ancient tablets — LINKS AND RESOURCES “The Baby’s Hand Was Mummified. Why Wasn’t the Rest of Its Body?” from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/18/science/mummified-baby-hand.html “Sacred sites have a biodiversity advantage that could help world conservation” from The Conversation:
https://theconversation.com/sacred-sites-have-a-biodiversity-advantage-that-could-help-world-conservation-95599 “A robot found the "holy grail of shipwrecks" containin

A roundup of recent news from the heritage field: – The FBI uses DNA to identify a mummy's head – The Metropolitan Museum of Art returns two statues to their countries of origin – Archaeologists find an unexpected Viking village in Dublin – Researchers uncover a 1,500-year-old massacre in Sweden – Evidence of the largest ancient child sacrifice in the world is discovered in Peru – Crumbling walls in a Tuscan town indicate larger problems for Italy's historic architecture —- LINKS AND RESOURCES "The F.B.I. and the Mystery of the Mummy’s Head" from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/02/science/mummy-head-fbi-dna.html "The Met Will Return Looted Statues of Sages and Goddesses to Both India and Nepal" from Art Net News: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/met-returns-looted-indian-idol-1259441 "Archaeologist hails ‘extraordinary’ Viking village find in Dublin" from The Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/archaeologist-hails-extraordinary-viking-village-find-in-dublin-1.3

Throughout the world, Global Heritage Fund works with communities and partners to save the world’s most endangered historic places. In this interview, Katerina Acuna, Development Manager, highlights our recent campaign for a co-op in Dali Village. She also discusses her recent travels to our project sites sites in Rajasthan, India, and Patan, Nepal.

A roundup of recent news from the heritage field.

Topic 1: Göbekli Tepe The oldest place of worship ever discovered, Göbekli Tepe predates the Egyptian pyramids by 6,500 years. Peerless in architecture and artistry, this monument is a true wonder to behold. Called “Potbelly Hill” by locals for its gently sloping curves, Göbekli Tepe appears almost insignificant, a place of little prominence compared to any other mountain in its range. And yet, beneath the tawny earth of the mountaintop lies an astonishing discovery: a temple of monumental design, conceived and built in a time before pottery, agriculture, or even the invention of writing. Topic 2: Overtourism Learn how tourism is a double-edged sword for heritage sites, as rising popularity can cause a range of unexpected problems. Throughout the world, many heritage sites require carefully designed management plans to balance conservation and popular appeal. As sites attract greater degrees of public attention, the subsequent increase in popularity oftentimes swells tourism and visitor numbers, straining si