Heritage with Related Tags
Archaeological Site of Mystras
Mystras, or "Miracle of the Morea", was built in 1249 as an amphitheatre around a fortress constructed by William de Verhardouin, Prince of Achaea. Reconquered by the Byzantines and subsequently occupied by the Turks and Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832, leaving only the stunning medieval ruins standing in a scenic setting.
Archaeological Sites of the Island of Meroe
The archaeological site of Meroe, a semi-desert landscape located between the Nile and Atbara rivers, was the heart of the Kingdom of Kush, a major power from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. The site includes the royal city of the Kushite kings at Meroe near the Nile, and the nearby religious sanctuaries of Naqqa and Sufra. It was the seat of the rulers who occupied Egypt for nearly a century and contains, among other remains, pyramids, temples and civil buildings, as well as major facilities related to water management. Their vast empire stretched from the Mediterranean to the heart of Africa, and the site bears witness to the exchange of art, architecture, religion and language between the two regions.
Birka and Hovgården
The archaeological site of Birka is located on the island of Björkök in Lake Mälar and was inhabited in the 9th and 10th centuries AD. Hofgarten is located on the neighboring island of Adelsø. Together they form an archaeological complex that demonstrates the complex trade networks of Viking Age Europe and their influence on the subsequent history of Scandinavia. Birka is also the site of the first Christian church in Sweden, founded by St. Ansgar in 831.
Tiya
Tiya is the most important of about 160 archaeological sites discovered so far in the Sodo region south of Addis Ababa. The site contains 36 monuments, including 32 stone tablets with symbols, most of which are difficult to decipher. They are relics of an ancient Ethiopian culture whose age is still uncertain.
Baekje Historic Areas
Located in a mountainous area in west-central Korea, the property comprises eight archaeological sites dating from 475 to 660 AD, including Gongsanseong Fortress and royal tombs in Songsan-ri associated with the capital Ungjin (present-day Gongju), Busosanseong Fortress and administrative buildings in Gwanbuk-ri, Jeongnimsa Temple, royal tombs and Naseong walls in Neungsan-ri associated with the capital Sabi (present-day Buyeo), royal palaces in Wanggung-ri associated with the second capital Sabi, and Mireuksa Temple in Iksan. Together, these sites represent the late period of the Baekje Kingdom (one of the first three kingdoms on the Korean peninsula, from 18 BC to 660 AD), during which there was a great deal of technological, religious (Buddhist), cultural, and artistic exchange between the three ancient East Asian kingdoms of Korea, China, and Japan.
Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site
The Valongo Pier archaeological site is located in the center of Rio de Janeiro and includes the entire Plaza de Comercialla. It is located in the former port area of Rio de Janeiro, where an ancient stone pier was built from 1811 for enslaved Africans to land on the South American continent. An estimated 900,000 Africans arrived in South America via Valongo. The site consists of several archaeological layers, the lowest of which is a pé de moleque-style floor paving attributed to the original Valongo Pier. This is the most important physical trace of the arrival of African slaves to the American continent.
Archaeological Site of Atapuerca
The caves of the Sierra de Atapuerca contain a rich record of the earliest human fossils in Europe, dating back nearly a million years and extending into the Common Era. They represent an exceptional repository of data, the scientific study of which can provide valuable information about the appearance and lifestyle of these distant human ancestors.
Petra
Located between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, this Nabataean caravan city has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syro-Phoenicia. Half built and half carved into the rock, Petra is surrounded by mountains full of passages and canyons. It is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, where ancient Eastern traditions blend with Greek architecture.
Dholavira: a Harappan City
The ancient city of Dholavira is the southern center of the Harappan civilization, located on the arid island of Kadir in Gujarat. The archaeological site, built between 3000-1500 BC, is one of the best-preserved urban settlements in Southeast Asia and consists of a fortified city and a cemetery. Two seasonal streams provided water to the walled city, a scarce resource in the region, and within the walls was a heavily fortified citadel and ceremonial grounds, with streets and houses of varying proportions and quality, testifying to the social order of the time. The complex water management system demonstrates the wisdom of the Dholavira people in surviving and thriving in a harsh environment. The site includes a large cemetery with six types of monuments, testifying to the unique Harappan view of death. Archaeologists have discovered bead-making workshops and a variety of crafts such as copper, shell, stone, semi-precious gemstone jewelry, clay, gold, ivory and other materials during excavations at the site, demonstrating the artistic and technological achievements of the culture. Evidence of inter-regional trade with other Harappan cities as well as cities in the Mesopotamian region and the Omani peninsula has also been found.
Archaeological Site of Sabratha
Sabratha was a Phoenician trading post and sales point for products from the African hinterland. It was part of the short-lived Numidian Kingdom of Masinissa before being Romanized and rebuilt in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.
Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site
Joya de Cerén was a pre-Hispanic agricultural community that, like Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, was buried by a volcanic eruption in the Laguna crater around 600 AD. Because the remains are so well preserved, they offer insights into the daily lives of the Mesoamerican people who worked the land at the time.
Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a)
This archaeological site, which began as a Roman military camp and developed into a town from the 5th century onwards, remains largely unexcavated. It contains remains from the Roman, Byzantine and early Muslim periods (late 3rd to 9th century AD), as well as a Roman military camp. The site also has 16 churches, some of which have well-preserved mosaic floors. Of particular note is the mosaic floor of the Church of St. Stephen, which depicts towns in the area. Two square towers are probably the only remains of the area's famous ascetics (ascetics who spent time in solitude atop a pillar or tower). Scattered around Um er-Rasas are remains of ancient agricultural practices in arid regions.
Historic Town of Zabid
Zabid's domestic and military architecture and urban planning make it an outstanding archaeological and historical site. In addition to being the capital of Yemen from the 13th to the 15th centuries, the city played an important role in the Arab and Muslim world for centuries because of its Islamic university.
Eudensavannah Archaeological Site: Eudensavannah Settlement and Kasipola Creek Cemetery
<p>The archaeological site of Jodensavanne is located in northern Suriname, nestled in dense forests on the banks of the Suriname River. The collection of sites represents early Jewish attempts at colonization in the New World. The Jodensavanne settlement was established in the 1680s and includes the remains of what is believed to be the first architecturally significant synagogue in the Americas, as well as a cemetery, a boat landing area, and a military outpost. The Cassipora creek is the remains of an earlier settlement, established in the 1650s. The settlement was embedded in indigenous territory and was inhabited, owned and governed by Jews who lived alongside free and slave people of African descent. The settlement had the most extensive privileges and immunities known from the early modern Jewish world.</p>
Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region
Located 60 km off the west coast of Kyushu, Okinoshima is an outstanding example of Japan's sacred island worship tradition. Archaeological sites preserved on the island are almost intact and chronologically document the changes in rituals performed on the island between the 4th and 9th centuries AD. During these rituals, offerings were placed at different locations on the island. Many of them were brought from overseas and were of high quality, evidence of the close exchanges between the Japanese archipelago, the Korean peninsula, and mainland Asia. Okinoshima is part of the Munakata Grand Shrine, which is still considered sacred today.
Gedi Ancient Town and Archaeological Site
The abandoned town of Gedi is not far from the sea, separated from the coast by the remnants of coastal forest. From the 10th to the 17th century, it was one of the most important Swahili cities on the East African coast. During that time, Gedi was part of a complex international trade and cultural exchange network across the Indian Ocean, connecting coastal African centers with Persia and other regions. The city walls clearly outline the outline of this rich town, which retains the remains of residential, religious and town buildings, as well as an advanced water system. The ancient town of Gedi fully reflects the characteristics of Swahili architecture and urban planning, and the building materials used include coral limestone, coral mortar, earth mortar, wood, etc.
Landmarks of the ancient kingdom of Saba, Malibu
Marib, Landmark of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, is a series of properties comprising seven archaeological sites bearing witness to the richness of the Kingdom of Saba and its architectural, aesthetic and technological achievements from the first millennium BC to the arrival of Islam around 630 AD. They bear witness to the Kingdom’s complex centralized administration at a time when it controlled much of the incense routes of the Arabian Peninsula and played a key role in a wider network of cultural exchange facilitated by trade with the Mediterranean and East Africa. Set in a semi-arid landscape of valleys, mountains and desert, the property includes the remains of large urban settlements with monumental temples, ramparts and other structures. Ancient Marib’s irrigation system reflects the unrivalled prowess of hydrological engineering and agricultural technology in ancient South Arabia, resulting in the creation of the largest ancient man-made oasis.
Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula
Cilento is an outstanding cultural landscape. The striking cluster of temples and settlements along three east-west ridges vividly depicts the historical evolution of the region: it was a major route not only for trade but also for cultural and political interaction in prehistory and the Middle Ages. Cilento was also the border between the Greek colony of Magna Graecia and the indigenous Etruscans and Lucanians. There are remains of two major cities from the Classical period: Paestum and Velia.
Proto-urban Site of Sarazm
Sarazm, meaning "where the land begins", is an archaeological site that bears witness to the development of human settlement in Central Asia between the 4th millennium BC and the end of the 3rd millennium BC. The site shows the early development of proto-urbanization in the region. The settlement is one of the oldest in Central Asia, situated between mountainous areas suitable for nomadic herders to raise livestock and a large valley suitable for the development of agriculture and irrigation by the first settled populations in the region. Sarazm also testifies to the existence of commercial and cultural exchanges and trade relations with peoples of a vast geographical area, stretching from the steppes of Central Asia and Turkmenistan to the Iranian plateau, the Indus Valley, and even as far as the Indian Ocean.
Viking Age ring fortresses
The Viking Age ring fortress complex consists of five archaeological sites that share the same geometric structure. They were built between 970 and 980 AD at strategic land and sea fortresses in Aggersborg, Fyrkat, Nonnebakken, Trelleborg and Borgring, and incorporated the surrounding natural features into the fortifications. The fortress complex reflects the centralization of the Jelling dynasty and bears witness to the sociopolitical changes that the Kingdom of Denmark underwent in the late 10th century.
Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís
The property comprises four archaeological sites in the Diquis Delta in southern Costa Rica, which are considered unique examples of a complex social, economic and political system from the period 500-1500 AD. They contain artificial mounds, paved areas, tombs and, most importantly, a group of stone spheres ranging from 0.7 to 2.57 meters in diameter, whose meaning, purpose and production remain largely a mystery. The spheres are unique for their perfection, number, size and density, as well as their placement in their original location. The spheres have been spared from looting, which has been the case with the vast majority of archaeological sites in Costa Rica, thanks to thick layers of sediment that have buried them for centuries.
Parthian Fortresses of Nisa
The Parthian Fortress of Nissa consists of two sites, Old Nissa and New Nissa, indicating that this was one of the earliest and most important cities of the Parthian Empire, a major power from the mid-3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. The sites preserve undiscovered remains of an ancient civilization that skillfully combined elements of its own traditional culture with those of the Greek and Roman West. Archaeologists have excavated both parts of the site and discovered richly decorated buildings that reflected domestic, state and religious functions. This powerful empire was located at the crossroads of important commercial and strategic axes, acting as a barrier to Roman expansion, while also being an important center of communication and trade between East and West, North and South.
Archaeological Site of Volubilis
Founded in the 3rd century BC, the capital of Mauritania became an important outpost of the Roman Empire and features many fine buildings. The archaeological site is located in a fertile agricultural area, where a large number of architectural remains still exist. Later, Volubilis briefly became the capital of Idrisid dynasty founder Idris I, who is buried in nearby Moulay Idriss.
Archaeological Ensemble of Tárraco
Tarraco (modern Tarragona) was the main administrative and commercial city in Roman Spain and the imperial cult centre for all the Iberian provinces. It is home to many fine buildings, parts of which have been uncovered in a series of exceptional excavations. Although most of the remains are fragmentary and many have been preserved under newer buildings, they provide a vivid picture of the grandeur of this Roman provincial capital.
Sacred City of Caral-Supe
The 5,000-year-old archaeological site of Caral-Supe is a 626-hectare site located on a dry desert terrace overlooking the green valley of the Supe River. Dating back to the Late Archaic period in the Central Andes, it is the oldest center of civilization in the Americas. The site is well-preserved and impressive for the complexity of its design and architecture, especially its massive stone and earthen platforms and sunken circular courtyards. Caral is one of 18 urban settlements located in the same area, with complex and magnificent architecture, including six large pyramid structures. Knots (a system of knots used in Andean civilizations to record information) found on the site attest to the development and complexity of Caral society. The planning of the city and some of its components, including pyramid structures and elite residences, clearly indicate ceremonial functions, suggesting a strong religious ideology.
The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities
Avar consists of seven parts: three archaeological sites and four wetland marsh areas in southern Iraq. The archaeological cities of Uruk and Ur and the archaeological site of Tell Eridu are part of the remains of Sumerian cities and settlements that developed in southern Mesopotamia between the 4th and 3rd millennium BC in the marshy deltas of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Avar in southern Iraq (also known as the Iraqi Marshes) is one of the largest inland delta systems in the world, located in an extremely hot and arid environment.
Takalik Abah National Archaeological Park
The archaeological site of Tak'alik Ab'aj is located on Guatemala's Pacific coast. It is a 1,700-year-old site that shows the evolution of the Olmec civilization into the early Maya. Tak'alik Ab'aj played a major role in this process, in part because it controlled a long-distance trade route that connected the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in present-day Mexico to El Salvador. There was a great cross-fertilization of ideas and customs along this route. The site's sanctuaries and buildings were arranged according to cosmological principles, and there were innovative water systems, pottery, and gem art. Today, the site is still considered sacred and used by different indigenous groups for ritual activities.
Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna
Leptis Magna was expanded and embellished by Septimius Severus, who was born here and later became Roman emperor. It was one of the most beautiful cities in the Roman Empire, with magnificent public monuments, ports, markets, warehouses, shops and residential areas.
Archaeological Site of Cyrene
Cyrene was a Greek colony on the island of Thera and one of the major cities of the Greek world. It was Romanized and was a great capital until an earthquake in 365. Its ruins, which record a thousand years of history, have been famous since the 18th century.
Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan
The property comprises 17 archaeological sites in the southern part of Hokkaido Island and the northern part of the Tohoku region, with geography ranging from mountainous hills to plain lowlands, from inland bays to lakes and rivers. They provide unique testimony to the development of the pre-agricultural but sedentary Jomon culture and its complex spiritual belief system and rituals over a period of around 10,000 years. It demonstrates the emergence, development, maturity and adaptability of a sedentary hunter-fisher-gatherer society to environmental changes from around 13,000 BC. The expression of Jomon spirituality is present in tangible forms in objects such as lacquerware, clay tablets with footprints, the famous bulging-eyed dolls, and ritual sites including earthworks and large stone circles with a diameter of more than 50 meters. This collection of properties testifies to a rare and very early development of pre-agricultural sedentary life from its emergence to maturity.
Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro
Mohenjodaro was a huge city built entirely of unfired bricks in the Indus Valley in the third millennium BC. The acropolis, walls and lower town, built on high embankments, were laid out according to strict rules, providing evidence for the emergence of an early system of town planning.
Konkara: Archaeological Site of Linga (City of Glory)
The site of Koh Ker is a sacred city complex of temples and sanctuaries, including sculptures, inscriptions, murals and archaeological remains. Koh Ker was built over a period of 23 years and competed with Angkor for the title of capital of the Khmer Empire, which it held from 928 to 944 AD. The holy city was founded by King Jayavarman IV and is believed to have been laid out in accordance with ancient Hindu cosmology. It exhibits atypical urban planning, high artistic expression and architectural techniques, particularly the use of oversized monolithic stones.
Archaeological Border complex of Hedeby and the Danevirke
The Hedeby archaeological site consists of the remains of a commercial centre (or trading town) with traces of roads, buildings, cemeteries and a port dating back to the 1st and early 2nd centuries AD. It was surrounded by part of the Dannevirke, a defensive line across the Isthmus of Schleswig that separated Jutland from the rest of mainland Europe. Due to its unique location between the Frankish Empire to the south and the Kingdom of Denmark to the north, Hedeby became a hub for trade between mainland Europe and Scandinavia, as well as between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Due to its rich, well-preserved archaeological material, it has become an important site for the interpretation of economic, social and historical developments in Europe during the Viking Age.
Caliphate City of Medina Azahara
The Caliphate city of Medina Azahara is an archaeological site that was built by the Umayyads in the middle of the 10th century AD as the capital of the Caliphate of Cordoba. After a few years of prosperity, the city was razed to the ground during the civil war of 1821. The Caliphate fell in 1009-1010. The remains of the city were forgotten for nearly 1,000 years until they were rediscovered in the early 20th century. This complete urban complex includes infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water systems, buildings, decorative elements, and everyday objects. It provides an insight into the now-vanished Islamic civilization of Andalusia, which was at its peak.
Aphrodisias
Located in southwestern Turkey, in the upper Molsynus River valley, the site consists of two parts: the archaeological site of Aphrodisias and the marble quarries northeast of the city. The Temple of Aphrodite was built in the 3rd century BC, and the city was founded a century later. Aphrodisias' wealth came from the marble quarries and the artworks created by its sculptors. The city streets were organized around several large civic buildings, which included temples, a theater, an agora, and two baths.
Gordion
The archaeological site of Gordion is an ancient settlement with multiple cultural deposits in an open rural environment, including the remains of the ancient capital of the independent Iron Age kingdom of Phrygia. The core elements are the fortress mound, the lower city, the outer city, the defensive facilities, as well as several burial mounds and their surrounding landscape. Archaeological excavations and research have unearthed a large number of remains that show the construction technology, spatial layout, defensive structures and funerary customs, which help people understand the culture and economy of Phrygia.
Takht-e Soleyman
The archaeological site of Takht-süleymaniye is located in a volcanic mountain valley in northwestern Iran. The site includes a major Zoroastrian sanctuary partially rebuilt during the Ilkhanate (Mongol) period (13th century) and a temple dedicated to Anahita from the Sassanid period (6th and 7th centuries). The site has great symbolic significance. The design of the fire temple, palace and general layout had a major influence on the development of Islamic architecture.
Archaeological Site of Carthage
Carthage was founded in the 9th century BC on the Gulf of Tunisia. From the 6th century AD, it developed into a trading empire covering much of the Mediterranean and possessed a brilliant civilization. During the long Punic Wars, Carthage occupied Roman territory, and Rome finally destroyed its rival in 146 BC. A second Carthage - Rome - was founded on the ruins of the first.
Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region
The eight archaeological sites are located in three geographical areas in the southeastern Fars Province: Firuzabad, Bishapur and Sarvistan. Fortifications, palaces and urban planning date from the early and late Sassanian Empire, which spanned the region from 224 to 658 AD. The sites include the capital built by the founder of the dynasty, Ardashir Papakhan, as well as cities and architectural structures built by his successor, Shapur I. The archaeological landscape reflects an optimal use of the natural terrain and bears witness to the influence of Achaemenid and Parthian cultural traditions, as well as Roman art, which had a significant impact on the architecture of the Islamic era.
Fuerte de Samaipata
The archaeological site of Samaipata consists of two parts: the hill with many carvings, believed to be the ceremonial center of the old town (14th-16th centuries), and the area to the south of the hill, which was the administrative and residential area. The huge carved rock overlooking the town below is a unique testimony to pre-Hispanic traditions and beliefs, unparalleled anywhere in the Americas.
Río Abiseo National Park
The park was established in 1983 to protect the rainforest flora and fauna that are unique to this area of the Andes. The flora and fauna in the park have a high degree of endemism. The yellow-tailed woolly monkey, previously thought to be extinct, is found only in this area. Research conducted since 1985 has led to the discovery of 36 previously unknown archaeological sites at altitudes between 2,500 and 4,000 meters, which provide a good picture of pre-Inca society.
Red Bay Basque Whaling Station
Founded by Basque sailors in the 16th century on the shores of the Strait of Belle Isle at the northeastern tip of Canada, Red Bay is an archaeological site that provides the earliest, most complete and best-preserved testimony to Europe’s whaling tradition. Called Gran Baya by its founders in the 1530s, the station was the site of coastal hunting, butchering, extracting blubber for oil production and storing blubber. It became the main source of whale oil, which was shipped to Europe for lighting. The site was used during the summer months and includes remains of oil refineries, barrel making plants, docks, temporary shelters and cemeteries, as well as underwater shipwrecks and whale bone deposits. The station was in use for about 70 years before the local whale population was depleted.
Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land
Hiraizumi - Temples, gardens and archaeological sites representing the Buddhist Pure Land include five sites, including the sacred Mount Kinkei. Remnants of government offices from the 11th and 12th centuries remain here, when Hiraizumi was the administrative center of a northern kingdom in Japan, rivaling Kyoto. The kingdom was based on the cosmology of Pure Land Buddhism, which was introduced to Japan in the 8th century. It represents the Buddha's Pure Land, a place people yearn for after death, as well as spiritual peace in this life. Pure Land Buddhism combined with native Japanese nature worship and Shintoism to form a uniquely Japanese concept of planning and garden design.
Persepolis
Founded in 518 BC by Darius I, Persepolis was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Built on a vast, half-artificial, half-natural platform, it was here that the King of Kings built an impressive palace complex inspired by Mesopotamian models. The importance and quality of these monumental remains make it a unique archaeological site.
Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
Undoubtedly, there are still thousands of statues to be found at this archaeological site, which was only discovered in 1974. The tomb of Qin Shi Huang (died in 210 BC), the first unifier in Chinese history, is surrounded by the famous Terracotta Army at the center of a complex designed to reflect the urban planning of the capital city of Xi'an. The statuettes are all different; with horses, chariots and weapons, they are masterpieces of realism and of great historical significance.
Archaeological Site of Delphi
Delphi is the holy place of all Greece, where Apollo issued his oracles and where the "navel of the world" is located. Delphi is integrated with the beautiful scenery and full of sacred meaning. In the 6th century BC, Delphi was indeed the religious center and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world.
Susa
The site is located in southwestern Iran, in the lower Zagros Mountains, and includes a group of archaeological mounds on the eastern bank of the Savur River, and the palace of Ardashir on the other side of the river. Excavated architectural remains include administrative, residential and palace buildings. Susa contains multiple layers of continuous urban settlements that lasted from the late 5th century BC to the 13th century AD. The site is an outstanding testimony to Elamite, Persian and Parthian cultural traditions that have largely disappeared.
Ecbatana
<p>The archaeological site of Hegmataneh is located in northwestern Iran. This ancient city was inhabited for nearly 3,000 years and provides important and rare evidence of the Median civilization from the 7th to 6th centuries BC. After that, Hegmataneh was also the summer capital of the Achaemenid Empire, the Seleucid Empire, the Parthian Empire, and the Sassanid Empire. </p>
Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture
Ibiza is an excellent example of the interaction between marine and coastal ecosystems. The dense marine Posidonia grassland is a keystone species endemic to the Mediterranean basin and it contains and supports a wide variety of marine life. Ibiza preserves a wealth of evidence of its long history. The archaeological sites of Sa Caleta (the settlement) and Puig des Molins (the cemetery) testify to the important role the island played in the Mediterranean economy in prehistory, especially during the Phoenician-Carthaginian period. The fortified Upper Town (Alta Vila) is an outstanding example of Renaissance military architecture; it had a profound influence on the development of fortifications in Spanish settlements in the New World.
Angkor
Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. The Angkor Archaeological Park covers an area of about 400 square kilometers, including forest areas, and preserves the magnificent remains of the capitals of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th century. These include the famous Angkor Wat and the Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom, which is decorated with countless sculptures. UNESCO has developed an extensive plan to protect this symbolic site and its surroundings.
Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
The cathedrals and churches of Echmiadzin and the archaeological remains of Zvartnots vividly illustrate the evolution and development of the central-domed cross-hall church style in Armenia, which had a profound influence on the development of architecture and art in the region.
Arslantepe Mound
The Arslantepe Mound is a 30-meter-high archaeological site located in the Malatya Plain, 12 kilometers southwest of the Euphrates River. Archaeological evidence at the site indicates that it was inhabited from at least the 6th millennium BC to the late Roman period. The earliest strata of the Early Uruk period are characterized by adobe houses from the first half of the 4th millennium BC. The most prominent and prosperous period of the site was the Late Chalcolithic period, during which the so-called palace complex was built. Extensive evidence also confirms the presence of the Early Bronze Age, the most prominent of which is the Royal Tomb Complex. Archaeological strata then extend to the Old Assyrian and Hittite periods, including the Neo-Hittite period. The site demonstrates the processes that led to the emergence of state societies and complex bureaucratic systems that predate writing in the Near East. Many exceptional metal objects and weapons have been unearthed at the site, including the earliest swords known to date in the world, indicating that organized forms of combat began to become the prerogative of the elite, who displayed these swords as instruments of their new political power.
Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn
The prehistoric site of Bat is located near a palm grove in the interior of the Sultanate of Oman. Together with neighboring sites, it forms the world's most complete third millennium BC settlement and cemetery complex.
Delos
According to Greek mythology, Apollo was born on this small island in the Cyclades. Apollo's sanctuary attracted pilgrims from all over Greece, and Delos was a prosperous trading port. The island preserves traces of subsequent civilizations of the Aegean world from the third millennium BC to the Paleo-Christian era. The archaeological site is unusually vast and rich, conveying the image of a great international Mediterranean port.
Hattusha: the Hittite Capital
The archaeological site of Hattusa, the former capital of the Hittite Empire, is known for its urban organization, the types of buildings that have been preserved (temples, royal residences, fortifications), the ornate decoration of the Lion Gate and the Royal Gate, and the rock art complex of Yazlikaya. In the 2nd millennium BC, the city enjoyed considerable influence in Anatolia and northern Syria.
Chavin (Archaeological Site)
The Chavín archaeological site is named after a culture that developed between 1500 and 300 BC in the high valleys of the Peruvian Andes. This former place of worship is one of the earliest and most famous pre-Columbian sites. Its appearance is striking, with a complex of terraces and plazas surrounded by dressed stone buildings, mainly decorated in zoomorphic shapes.
Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites
The site consists of a group of Georgian-style naval buildings and structures located within the walled enclosure. The natural environment on this side of Antigua, with its deep, narrow bay surrounded by high ground, provides shelter from hurricanes and is an ideal location for repairing ships. The British Navy would not have been able to build the shipyard without the labor of generations of enslaved Africans since the late 18th century. At the time, European powers were vying for control of the Eastern Caribbean Sea, with the aim of protecting the interests of sugar plantation owners.
Baptism Site “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas)
Located on the east bank of the Jordan River, 9 km north of the Dead Sea, this archaeological site consists of two distinct areas: Tell Al-Kharrar, also known as Jabal Mar-Elias (Mount Elijah), and the area of the Church of St. John the Baptist by the river. The site is located in a pristine natural environment and is believed to be the place where Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist. It has Roman and Byzantine remains, including churches and chapels, monasteries, caves used by hermits and a baptismal pool, which testify to the religious character of the site. The site is a place of pilgrimage for Christians.
Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region
Stretching over 60 km in the Nile Valley, these five archaeological sites bear witness to the Napatan culture (900-270 BC) and the Meroe culture (270 BC-350 AD) of the Second Kingdom of Kush. Tombs with and without pyramids, temples, residential complexes and palaces are found on the site. Since ancient times, the Gebel Barkal mountain has been closely associated with religious traditions and folklore. The largest temple is still considered a sacred place by the locals.
Aasivissuit – Nipisat. Inuit Hunting Ground between Ice and Sea
Located within the Arctic Circle in central West Greenland, the property contains the remains of 4,200 years of human history. It is a cultural landscape that bears witness to the hunting of land and sea animals, seasonal migrations and a rich and well-preserved tangible and intangible cultural heritage of its creators related to climate, navigation and medicine. Features of the property include large winter houses and evidence of reindeer hunting, as well as archaeological sites of ancient Inuit and Inuit culture. The cultural landscape includes seven main sites, from Nipisat in the west to Asiwesut near the ice sheet in the east. It bears witness to the resilience of the human culture of the region and its tradition of seasonal migration.
Tsodilo
Tsodilo is known as the "Louvre of the Desert" for its one of the highest concentrations of rock art in the world. More than 4,500 rock paintings are preserved in just 10 square kilometres of the Kalahari Desert. The archaeological record in the area chronicles human activity and environmental change over at least 100,000 years. In this harsh environment, local communities consider Tsodilo a place of worship frequented by ancestral spirits.
Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China
The Quanzhou site series demonstrates Quanzhou's vitality as a maritime trade center and its interconnectivity with inland China during the Song and Yuan dynasties (10th to 14th centuries AD). Quanzhou flourished during an important period of maritime trade in Asia. The site includes religious buildings, including the 11th century Qingjing Mosque, one of the earliest Islamic buildings in China, as well as Islamic mausoleums and various archaeological remains: administrative buildings, stone wharves of commercial and defensive importance, sites of ceramic and iron production, elements of the city's transportation network, ancient bridges, pagodas and inscriptions. Quanzhou was referred to as Zayton in Arabic and Western texts from the 10th to 14th centuries AD.
Tyre
According to legend, purple dye was invented in Tyre. This great Phoenician city dominated the seas and founded prosperous colonies such as Cadiz and Carthage, but its historical importance gradually declined at the end of the Crusades. There are many important archaeological remains here, mainly from the Roman period.
Papahānaumokuākea
Papahānaumokuākea is a large, isolated linear community of low-lying islets and atolls surrounded by ocean, approximately 250 km northwest of the main Hawaiian Islands and stretching for approximately 1,931 square kilometers. The area has profound cosmological and traditional significance to living Native Hawaiian cultures as an ancestral environment, a manifestation of Hawaiian concepts of kinship with the natural world, and a place where life is believed to originate and where the soul returns after death. Archaeological remains related to pre-European settlement and use are found on the islands of Nihoa and Makumanamana. The majority of the site consists of pelagic and deep-sea habitats, with notable features such as seamounts and underwater shoals, extensive coral reefs, and lagoons. It is one of the largest marine protected areas (MPAs) in the world.
Cultural Landscape of the Faou Archaeological Area
Located at a strategic point on ancient trade routes in the Arabian Peninsula, the ancient city of al-Faw was abandoned around the 5th century AD. Nearly 12,000 archaeological remains have been discovered, ranging from prehistoric times to the late pre-Islamic period, and bear witness to the successive settlements of three ethnic groups and their adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Archaeological remains include early human tools from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, conical structures, stone piles and circular buildings, the sacred mountain of Khashm Qaryah, rock carvings, earth and stone mounds in the valley, fortresses/caravanserai, oases and ancient water systems, and the remains of the ancient city of al-Faw.
Marquesas Islands: The Land of Humankind
The Marquesas Islands are located in the South Pacific. Humans arrived by sea to these remote islands around 1000 AD. This mixed collection is an excellent example of this process and its development between the 10th and 19th centuries. It is also a biodiversity hotspot with an irreplaceable and well-preserved marine and terrestrial ecosystem. Characterized by steep ridges, majestic peaks and high sea-facing cliffs, the archipelago's natural landscape is unparalleled in the tropical region at this latitude. It is an important center of endemism, with rare and diverse plants, a rich variety of iconic marine species, and the most diverse population of seabirds in the South Pacific. The Marquesas waters are virtually unexplored by humans and are one of the few remaining marine wilderness areas in the world. Archaeological remains such as large dry stone structures, stone carvings and stone carvings are also preserved on the islands.
Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam
The 65-meter-high Minaret of Jam is an elegant, towering structure that dates back to the 12th century. Covered in fine brickwork and topped with a blue tile inscription, the minaret is striking for its architectural and decorative quality, representing the pinnacle of the region's architectural and artistic traditions. Its impact is multiplied by its rugged location, a deep river valley between towering mountains in the heart of Ghor Province.
Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape
The 121,967-hectare Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape encompasses vast pastoral areas on both sides of the Orkhon River and includes numerous archaeological remains dating back to the 6th century. The site also includes Karakorum, the 13th and 14th century capital of Genghis Khan's vast empire. Overall, the remains at the site reflect the symbiotic relationship between nomadic, pastoral societies and their administrative and religious centers, and the importance of the Orkhon Valley in the history of Central Asia. Mongol nomadic herders still graze their livestock on the steppes.
Gaya Tombs
This archaeological site of tombs belongs to the Gaya Confederation, which flourished in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula from the 1st to the 6th century AD. The geographical distribution and landscape features of the tombs, the types of burials, and the grave goods explain the unique political system of Gaya. The members of the confederation were politically autonomous and coexisted as equals, while also sharing cultural commonalities. The introduction of new burial forms and the strengthening of the spatial hierarchy of tombs reflect the structural changes that Gaya society underwent during its development.
Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha
The famous Lumbini Gardens, where Gautama Buddha was born in 623 BC, soon became a site of pilgrimage. Among the pilgrims was the Indian emperor Ashoka, who erected a memorial pillar there. The site is currently being developed as a Buddhist pilgrimage centre, featuring archaeological remains related to Gautama Buddha's birth.
Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley
The cultural landscape and archaeological remains of the Bamiyan Valley represent the artistic and religious development of ancient Bakhtriya from the 1st to the 13th century AD, integrating various cultural influences into the Gandhara Buddhist art school. The area is home to numerous Buddhist monasteries and temples, as well as defensive structures from the Islamic period. The site also witnessed the destruction of two standing Buddha statues by the Taliban in March 2001, shocking the world.
Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco
Xochicalco is a well-preserved fortified political, religious and commercial center built during the turbulent period between 650 and 900 AD, when the great Mesoamerican states of Teotihuacan, Monte Alban, Palenque and Tikal broke apart.
ShUM Sites of Speyer, Worms and Mainz
Located in the Upper Rhine Valley, the contiguous site of the former royal cathedral cities of Speyer, Worms and Mainz includes the Speyer Jewish Courtyard, which contains the synagogue and the Women's Synagogue (Yiddish for synagogue), the archaeological remains of the yeshiva (religious school), the courtyard and the still intact underground holy water font (ritual bath), which retains its superb architectural and construction quality. The property also includes the Worms Synagogue Complex, which contains the post-war reconstructed 12th-century synagogue and the 13th-century Women's Synagogue, the community hall (Rashi House) and the magnificent 12th-century holy water font. The collection also includes the Old Jewish Cemetery of Worms and the Old Jewish Cemetery of Mainz. The four component sites provide a tangible reflection of the emergence of early distinctive Ashkenazi customs and the development and settlement patterns of the Shum community, especially between the 11th and 14th centuries. The buildings that make up the property are prototypes for later European Jewish communities and religious buildings, as well as cemeteries. The acronym ShuUM stands for the Hebrew initials of Speyer, Worms and Mainz.
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape
Located in the southwest of Honshu, Iwami Ginzan is a mountain surrounded by mountains rising to 600 meters above sea level and interspersed with deep river valleys, the mountains contain large mines, smelting and refining sites, and archaeological remains of mining settlements from the 16th to 17th centuries. and 20th centuries. The site also shows the routes used to transport silver ore to the coast, and from there to port towns in Korea and China. These mines contributed greatly to the overall economic development of Japan and Southeast Asia in the 16th and 17th centuries, when large-scale production of silver and gold began in Japan. The mining area is now densely forested. The site contains a fortress, a shrine, parts of the street transport route to the coast, and three port towns, Tomoura, Okidomari, and Yunotsu, from where the ore was shipped.
Kuk Early Agricultural Site
The Cook Early Agricultural Site is located in the western highlands of New Guinea at an altitude of 1,500 meters and covers an area of 116 hectares. Archaeological excavations have shown that the feature is one of wetland reclamation, which was carried out almost continuously for 7,000 years and possibly as long as 10,000 years. The well-preserved archaeological remains at the site show the technological leap from plant exploitation to agriculture about 6,500 years ago. It is an excellent example of how agricultural practices have changed over time, from cultivating mounds to digging trenches with wooden tools to drain wetlands. Cook is one of the few places in the world with archaeological evidence of agriculture developing independently and agricultural practices changing over such a long period of time.
Kernavė Archaeological Site (Cultural Reserve of Kernavė)
The Kernavi Archaeological Site, located approximately 35 km northwest of Vilnius in eastern Lithuania, bears valuable witness to about 10,000 years of human settlement in the region. Located in the Neris River Valley, the site is a complex group of archaeological sites that includes the town of Kernavi, a fortress, some unfortified settlements, burial sites, and other archaeological, historical, and cultural monuments from the Upper Paleolithic to the Middle Ages. The site covers an area of 194.4 hectares and preserves traces of ancient land use, as well as the remains of five impressive hill forts that were part of a vast defense system. Kernavi was an important feudal town in the Middle Ages. The town was destroyed by the Teutonic Knights at the end of the 14th century, but the site has been used until modern times.
Trang An Landscape Complex
Located on the southern edge of the Red River Delta, the Trang An Group of Landforms is a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks interspersed with valleys, many of which are partially flooded and surrounded by steep, near-vertical cliffs. Explorations of caves at different altitudes have revealed archaeological traces of continuous human activity for more than 30,000 years. They show the occupation of these mountains by seasonal hunter-gatherers and how they adapted to major climatic and environmental changes, especially the repeated inundation of the land by seawater after the last Ice Age. The history of human occupation extends from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages to historical times. The ancient Vietnamese capital of Hoa Lu was strategically established here in the 10th and 11th centuries AD. The site also includes temples, pagodas, rice fields and small villages.
Willandra Lakes Region
The area has been found to contain a series of lake and sand fossil remains dating back to the Pleistocene, as well as archaeological evidence of human habitation between 45,000 and 60,000 years ago. It is a unique landmark for studying human evolution on the Australian continent. Several well-preserved giant marsupial fossils have also been found here.
Sado Gold Mine
The Sado Gold Mine complex is located on Sado Island, approximately 35 km west of the coast of Niigata Prefecture, and includes several sections that showcase different non-mechanized mining methods. Sado Island is a volcanic island with two parallel mountain ranges running from southwest to northeast, connected by the alluvial plain, the Kuninaka Plain. The gold and silver deposits on the island were formed when hydrothermal fluids rose to the surface to form veins, then sank to the seafloor due to tectonic movements and then rose to the surface again. The Nishi-Mi-Kawa area, northwest of the Kosado Mountains, was once a placer gold mining site, while in the Aikawa-Tsuruko area, at the southern end of the Osado Mountains, veins that were once mined underground have been exposed by the weathering of volcanic rocks. Most of the material heritage on the island that records mining activities, as well as social and labor organization, has been preserved as archaeological finds, both in terms of above-ground and underground remains and landscape features.
Zhoukoudian Site
The Zhoukoudian Site Museum is located at the foot of Dragon Bone Hill in Zhoukoudian, Fangshan District, southwest of Beijing. It is an ancient human site museum and was built in 1953. In 1929, Chinese paleoanthropologist Fei Wenzhong discovered the first complete skull fossil of "Peking Man" in Dragon Bone Hill, which shocked the world. It is a world cultural heritage, a national AAAA-level scenic spot, a national key cultural relic protection unit, and one of the 100 national patriotism education demonstration bases. It is about 48 kilometers away from downtown Beijing. It is a world-famous archaeological site of ancient humans and ancient vertebrates and the birthplace of "Peking Man". The Zhoukoudian Site is a national key cultural relic protection unit. It is located in the north of Dragon Bone Hill in Zhoukoudian Town, Fangshan District, southwest of Beijing. It is the world's most abundant, systematic and valuable human site in the early Paleolithic period. From 1921 to 1927, archaeologists discovered three human tooth fossils outside the "Peking Man" cave site three times. In 1929, the skull fossil of the Peking Man was discovered, as well as artificial tools and fire remains, which became a major archaeological discovery that shocked the world. In 1930, fossils and cultural relics of the Upper Cave Man dating back about 20,000 years ago were discovered at the Zhoukoudian site. However, the ensuing wars and chaos have lost all the fossil specimens of the Peking Man and Upper Cave Man discovered since 1927, and their whereabouts are still unknown. This event has become a world mystery in the history of archaeology in the 20th century. After the founding of New China, the excavation and research of the Zhoukoudian site was resumed, and a large amount of valuable data was obtained. So far, archaeologists have excavated fossils such as skulls, mandibles, teeth representing more than 40 corpses, as well as abundant stone tools, bone tools, horn tools and fire remains. The Zhoukoudian Site Museum systematically introduces to us the living environment and living conditions of the "Peking Man" 600,000 years ago, the "New Cave Man" 100,000 years ago, and the "Upper Cave Man" 18,000 years ago. The front of the prologue hall is a three-dimensional model of Longgu Mountain, and the display cabinets are filled with various rock specimens from 400 million to 100 million years ago in the Zhoukoudian area, reflecting the geological changes of the artillery area.
Remains of the road in the southern section of the central axis
The central road in the southern section of Beijing's central axis is an important link that connects the carefully arranged urban buildings and public spaces. It was the only way for national ceremonial activities in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The remains of the southern section of the central axis road have been discovered. The site shows the location, direction, engineering structure and continuous inheritance of the southern section of the central road since the Ming Dynasty with material evidence, and witnesses the national ceremonial culture of Beijing's central axis that has continued to this day. The remains of the southern section of the central axis road are several central road remains distributed from Zhengyangmen to Yongdingmen. As of the end of 2022, it consists of three sites from south to north. Among them, the remains of the stone slab road on the north side of Yongdingmen are located about 100 meters north of Yongdingmen. The stone slab road is distributed on both sides of the center of the road, showing the paving method and shape of the imperial road in the Qing Dynasty; the remains of the central axis historical road inside Yongdingmen are located about 400 meters north of Yongdingmen, showing the use of the central road in different historical stages from Ming Dynasty to modern times; the remains of the drainage ditch on the south central axis road of Zhushikou are located about 5 meters south of the Zhushikou Church, showing the location and shape of the brick-built ditches on both sides of the central road in the Qing Dynasty. The remains of the stone slab road on the north side of Yongdingmen are two sections of granite strips paved with stone slabs. The stone slabs on the east and west sides are of the same shape. They are paved with granite strips or their broken blocks. They are material evidence of the stone road pavement in the Qing Dynasty. The remains of the central axis historical road inside Yongdingmen present the remains of seven roads (L1-L7) pressed in sequence. The hierarchical relationship of Lu pressure fully shows the construction and use history of the central road of Beijing's central axis. Its construction period can be roughly divided into: before the seventh year of Yongzheng (1729) (L7), from the seventh year of Yongzheng (1729) to the Republic of China (L6), the Republic of China (L5) and modern times (L1-L4). The drainage ditch ruins of the Zhushikou South Central Axis Road are brick-built, the bottom of the ditch is paved with blue bricks, covered with stone slabs, and the bottom of the ditch is full of ground nails, showing the engineering construction method of drainage facilities on one side of the central road in the Qing Dynasty. The central road of the southern section of the Beijing Central Axis was the only way for ancient emperors to worship from the palace to the southern suburbs. The remains of the southern section of the road that have been discovered show that the central road of the southern section of the Beijing Central Axis has been in use since the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty. It has been maintained and repaired at different stages of history. It is a tangible carrier of the sacrificial routes and ritual activities of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In the 18th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1420), there was a central road between Zhengyangmen and the Temple of Heaven and Earth (Temple of Heaven) and the Temple of Mountains and Rivers (Temple of Agriculture), which was a dirt road. In the seventh year of Yongzheng's reign (1729), the section from Tianqiao to Yongdingmen was changed to stone. In the fifty-sixth year of Qianlong's reign (1791), two zhang wide earth roads were opened on both sides of the imperial road, and the slab ditches on both sides of the stone road were gradually replaced with brick ditches. Six ditches were also opened on both sides of the stone road in front of the Temple of Heaven and the Temple of Agriculture, which brought about a significant change in the landscape of the section from Tianqiao to Yongdingmen. In the eighteenth year of Jiaqing's reign (1813), the ditch was filled. In the early 20th century, the road was changed to asphalt concrete, and the original Qing Dynasty stone strips were buried underground until they were rediscovered in 2004. In 2022, archaeological excavations further discovered the remains of the historical central axis road inside Yongdingmen and the drainage ditch site of the central axis road south of Zhushikou.
Shihua Cave
Shihua Cave is located in Fangshan District, Beijing, 46 kilometers from the city center, 15 kilometers from Beijing-Shijiazhuang Expressway, and 15 kilometers from Liangtuo Road Exit of West Sixth Ring Road. It is a karst cave group sightseeing area of Fangshan World Geopark, a member unit of International Cave, a national scenic spot, a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, a municipal geological relic nature reserve, and a Beijing popular science education base. It is known as: China's best karst cave wonder. The karst cave resources of Shihua Cave are famous at home and abroad for their typicality, diversity, naturalness, integrity and rarity. The rich resources show the value of Shihua Cave in geological science research, geological science teaching and tourism appreciation. After the inspection, Song Jian, the former director of the State Science and Technology Commission, wrote the inscription "Underground geological wonder, karst cave museum". The body of Shihua Cave is a multi-layered and multi-branched layered structure, divided into seven layers, with the first to sixth layers being karst cave landscapes and the seventh layer being an underground underground river. The layers in Shihua Cave are clearly distributed, the cave sediments are densely distributed, the types are complete, and the quantity is large. There are five types of sediments, namely dripping water, seepage water, flowing water, stagnant water and splashing water, and more than 40 types of sedimentary forms. Shihua Cave is now open to the 1st to 4th floors, with a tour route of 2,500 meters. There are a total of 18 scenic spots, 120 landscapes, 16 halls, ten wonders, and five of the largest karst caves in the country so far. The largest moon milk stone in the cave is the first discovery in China, and the stone flags and stone shields are typical representatives of Chinese cave sediments. The temperature in Shihua Cave is constant at 13℃ throughout the four seasons, and it is like spring all year round. The cave sediments in Shihua Cave record the evolution of the earth and the changes in the sedimentary environment. It is an important information base for studying the changes in the ancient geological environment. The rich karst resources in the cave and the peculiar landforms outside the cave make it an ideal natural classroom for geography teaching and popular science education.
Fangshan World Geopark Museum
On September 17, 2006, at the Second World Geopark Conference, Fangshan World Geopark in China was officially approved and awarded by UNESCO, becoming the only world geopark in a capital city. The park covers a total area of 953.95 square kilometers, spanning Fangshan District, Beijing, Laishui County, and Laiyuan County, Baoding City, Hebei Province. The park is divided into eight parks according to resource types and historical culture, showing the historical picture of the evolution of the earth in North China for billions of years, and recording the turmoil and changes in various geological eras. The museum is the landmark building and core display area of the geopark, located in Changgou Town, Fangshan District. The foundation stone was laid on March 29, 2009, and the trial operation was carried out on May 15, 2010. The reception capacity and experience effect have had a wide impact on the society and have been well received by all sectors of society. On July 12, 2010, it received unanimous praise from the experts of the jury in the mid-term evaluation of UNESCO. French expert Martini praised the museum as a brand-new, outstanding and unparalleled museum, representing the future and development of China World Geopark; Malaysian expert Kumo commented: This is the art masterpiece of the World Geopark Museum and the best place for popular science education; Chinese expert Zhao Xun wrote the inscription: the Palace of Science and the Enlightenment Base. The museum covers an area of 6.11 hectares, with a total investment of 180 million yuan and a construction area of 10,000 square meters. The architectural design concept is "shocking", which fully reflects the characteristics of "respecting natural mechanisms, making use of native terrain, naturally stretching shapes, and consistent internal and external spaces", and is unique and typical. The museum exhibition is based on "heaven, earth, man, and harmony" as the soul, with the geological changes, biological evolution, and human evolution of the park as the main line, supported by geological knowledge, and with popular science, storytelling, and popular language as the link. Using various modern scientific and technological means, the park's geological relics and cultural landscapes are displayed in all directions and from multiple angles, allowing visitors to feel the power of nature and the creation function of the earth, so as to achieve the purpose of enlightening thoughts, spreading knowledge, cultivating interests, and stimulating exploration. The museum has indoor exhibitions and outdoor science plazas. The indoor exhibition area is 5,800 square meters, with six exhibition halls, including the opening hall, the geological history and evolution hall, the eight park exhibition halls, the domestic and foreign world geological park exhibition halls, the physical specimen hall, and the prospect hall; the outdoor science plaza displays large specimens and some statues of geoscientific celebrities. Since it was officially opened to the public for free on April 3, 2011, the museum has conscientiously implemented the work requirements and work arrangements put forward by the leaders of the Fangshan District Tourism Committee and the Land Management Office, namely "standardization of target management, refinement of daily management, standardization of comprehensive management, diversification of policies, and overall efficiency of operation", and has always adhered to the "three closeness" principle and the purpose of "always paying attention to the needs of the audience" to serve the public. Since its opening, the museum has fully played the role of popular science education, leisure tourism, scientific research education, publicity and display, and information exchange. Its reception capacity and experience effect have been well received by leaders at all levels and all sectors of society. In 2012, it was awarded the title of "National 3A-level Tourist Attraction", the Science Education Base of the Ministry of Land and Resources, the Science Education Base of Beijing, the Patriotism Education Base of Beijing, and the Youth Extracurricular Activity Base of Beijing. It actively played the role of youth league members and established the "China Fangshan World Geopark Museum Youth Forum", which was rated as a municipal youth forum. It was also awarded the title of "Youth Civilization Unit" in Fangshan District, "Women Civilization Post" in Fangshan District, "Fangshan District Primary and Secondary School Students' Social Classroom Resource Unit", and "Changgou Middle School Student Social Practice Activity Education Base". While doing a good job in daily exhibition visits, the museum successfully held the 2010, 2011, 2012 Spring Beijing International Long Walk Conference and the 17th and 18th Fangshan Tourism and Culture Festival, the 2011 Nobel Prize Winner Beijing Forum - "Innovation and Development" Theme Exhibition, China World Geopark Photo Exhibition, Tourism Souvenir Competition, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Travel Agency Promotion Conference, "Earth Day", "5.18 Museum Day, China Tourism Day, Cultural Heritage Day" and other large-scale science theme day publicity activities. At the same time, many theme activities were held in Fangshan District, including social classes for primary and secondary schools, science knowledge competitions, tour guide speech competitions, weekend lectures, science popularization in communities and schools, etc., so that the museum's role as a base for science popularization education and enlightenment hall was fully played, providing a good learning and activity venue for all sectors of society, and becoming a beautiful business card to promote Fangshan.
Yesanpo
Yesanpo is located in Laishui County, Hebei Province, at the intersection of the Taihang Mountains and the Yanshan Mountains. It is 100 kilometers away from the capital Beijing and 110 kilometers from Beijing, with a total area of 498.5 square kilometers. The scenic area is rich in tourism resources and is known as a "paradise on earth". (I) The natural ecology is complete and harmonious Yesanpo is known for its "wildness". The original natural environment has nurtured extremely rich animal and plant resources. According to experts' investigation, Yesanpo has 713 species of seed plants in 92 families, 65 species of ferns in 15 families, and more than 200 species of medicinal plants. There are 184 species of wild vertebrates living with plants, including 15 species of national key protected animals, such as brown pheasants and black storks. It can be called a "natural botanical garden" and a "wildlife kingdom". (II) Typical and unique geological relics Yesanpo is located in a special tectonic position, dominating the northern end of the Zijingguan deep fault zone. Many strong tectonic movements and magmatic activities have created Yesanpo's rich content, complete types and unique geological relics. It is a vivid geology textbook and a natural geological museum. (III) Ancient Border Pass: Jade Bi Jin Tang Longmen Tianguan Scenic Area was an important pass leading from Kyoto to the outside of the pass in ancient times. It is a place of contention for military strategists of all dynasties. It is known as the "throat of the territory". It was heavily guarded in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Dalongmen Castle, the Inner Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty and the three lines of defense constitute a strict three-dimensional defense system, which fully reflects the superb architectural art and mature military defense ideas of ancient times. At the same time, it is known as the largest historical and cultural corridor in North China with more than 30 cliff carvings praising the magnificent mountains and rivers. (IV) The green pearl shines brightly. The main peak of Baicaopan Scenic Area is 1,983 meters above sea level and is the top of the three slopes. The 100,000 mu of virgin forest is lush and green, covering the sky and blocking the sun. It enjoys the reputation of "the green pearl in Taihang Mountains". Wild animals roam in groups in the scenic area, and the natural landscape is unique. The glacier azalea, dense forest snow waves, three mountains in one view, and two forests competing for beauty are breathtaking, and the wind-moving rocks and ant ridges are daunting... (V) The brilliant revolutionary culture Yesanpo is an old revolutionary base and the central hinterland of the Pingxi (western Beijing) Anti-Japanese Base. Nie Rongzhen, Xiao Ke, Yang Chengwu and other older generation revolutionaries once led the Sanpo people to fight against the Japanese invaders together with the Eighth Route Army. Many national heroes like Sanpo's daughter Yang Huaiying emerged. The seven warriors of the Jidantuo blocking battle wrote a heroic song of Langyashan style with their blood and lives. The red song "Without the Communist Party, there would be no New China" was born here and sung all over the country. (VI) Profound and dignified historical heritage: Fossils of Homo sapiens in Laishui were unearthed here, providing a basis for studying human evolution; the Three Emperors Culture and the Hefu Culture created the splendid civilization of the Chinese nation; the legend of "Yan Wang asked for the throne, Squirrels asked for titles, and exempted from the tax" is widely circulated in the Sanpo area. To this day, the folk customs of Sanpo still retain the distinct color of the Ming Dynasty; the democratic election of "old officials" to manage all things in the slope is called "the pioneer of democratic elections and the pioneer of self-government", which is the earliest prototype of democratic elections in ancient villages in my country. The ancient and magical Yesanpo is not only a tourist destination for exploring the wild, but also a natural classroom for scientific research and study, a red traditional education base for remembering the past and cherishing the present, and an important window for Laishui's image to be displayed to the outside world.