PRESERVATION OF ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN UNESCO’S ACTIVITIES

Viktoriia Pilkevych,

Ph.D. (History), Associate Professor,

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/2524-048X.2025.32.11

 

Abstract. The purpose of the article is to analyze UNESCO’s activities in the field of ancient heritage preservation. The methodological basis of this article includes the principles of historicism, systematicity, and scientific approach. The author used historical-comparative, statistical, and chronological methods. The scientific novelty is an attempt to comprehensively analyze the preservation of ancient monuments in the activities of UNESCO.

Conclusions. Protection of ancient monuments is an important part of preserving the world’s heritage. The sites of ancient Greece and Rome illustrate an epochal period of ups and downs, achievements and defeats. Amphitheaters, aqueducts, columns, Acropolis ruins, remains of fortifications and other archaeological finds testify to a significant cultural development of the ancient period. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) helps in preserving the cultural heritage of mankind. Special attention was given to countries where ancient monuments are located. The author highlights the measures taken to protect the sites and the Organization’s policy of providing assistance to protect the monuments. Greece has many ancient monuments on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The country protects and preserves its cultural heritage.

The author outlines problems of protection the world’s cultural heritage, in particular, war, armed conflict, natural disasters, fires, pollution, uncontrolled urbanization, unchecked tourist development and others. This article also focuses on the sites included in the List of World Heritage in Danger that require special protection from the international community. The author outlines the difficult situation with the protection of ancient sites in the Middle East, in particular, Syria.

The article notes that some sites are located on the territory of several states, which increases assistance in their protection. The author outlines the perspectives for the preservation of ancient sites in UNESCO’s activities, given the presence of such sites in different countries of the world, even on different continents, the significant interest in the ancient period, and the desire to preserve the ancient heritage for future generations.

Key words: UNESCO, heritage, ancient sites, preservation, protection, World Heritage List, objects.

Submitted 15.09.2025


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