Just published: Underwater Cultural Heritage in Oceania

Outcome of the 2009 Honiara Workshop

The Pacific Ocean contains a wealth of underwater cultural heritage. The protection of this heritage is of high importance for the region.

As a direct outcome of the Pacific regional meeting on the Underwater Cultural Heritage held in Honiara, the Solomon Islands, in December 2009, UNESCO has just published a publication "Underwater Cultural Heritage in Oceania". This publication illustrates a wealth of submerged traces of human existence spanning three continents.

From the Stone Age to the Atomic Age

Human activity on the Pacific islands, from the large continent of Australia to the smallest island of Micronesia, was always closely related to the water. The great variety of submerged archaeological sites is now exceptionally valuable for the understanding and interpretation of the region's and the world's history. Its submerged traces of humans on the seabed range from ancient vestiges of holy sites to remains of ships and aircraft, ports, fish traps and villages. They can provide precious historical information and are, like a time capsule, a complete snapshot of the technology and life on board at the time of sinking.

Capacity building in the protection of underwater cultural heritage

UNESCO Pacific Member States are strengthening the capacity in the protection of the underwater cultural heritage in the region. Some of the countries are going to participate in the Advanced Training Course on the Application of GIS in the Management of Underwater Cultural Heritage, which will be held from 20-29 September 2010 in Chanthaburi, Thailand, to be organised by the UNESCO Office in Bangkok.

• Source:UNESCO Apia
• 01-09-2010