Latest news with #culturalHeritage
New York Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Thai-Cambodian Conflict Tears at Remnants of a Once-Proud Empire
Nearly a millennium ago, the patch of mountainous jungle in what is now northwestern Cambodia was a thriving center of the Khmer civilization, then one of the world's most advanced and artistic empires. Today, Oddar Meanchey Province, on the forested border with Thailand, is home to some of the poorest people in a poor country. It is also a battlefield, as soldiers from the two Southeast Asian nations skirmish over disputed land that cuts through ancient temple complexes carved by the Khmer Empire. Clashes in recent days have claimed lives of civilians and soldiers in both countries. Jingoism is flaring. And at the center of the conflict, largely unnoticed by the prime ministers and generals directing the border war, are a people and a shared cultural heritage that predates modern notions of nation-states. Some residents of the area have relatives on the other side of the border. On Friday, with rocket attacks intensifying and military drones flying overhead, Chhin Sochulsa, his wife and their four children fled their home near Ta Moan Thom temple (known in Thailand as Ta Muen Thom) for an emergency encampment sheltering thousands of displaced Cambodians. Their home is now a piece of tarp hitched to their tractor, hammocks slung for sleep. One son is sick, and there is not enough food, he said. Already in debt, as many Cambodians are because of a microfinance crisis, Mr. Chhin Sochulsa worries about the farm animals he left behind in the war zone. 'I don't know exactly why the clash is happening,' he said. 'The situation is miserable.' The dispute over the border has simmered for decades, and control over the area has shifted through the centuries. The Khmer Empire extended over parts of what are now the countries of Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Its influence reached southern China, too. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Emirates 24/7
21-07-2025
- Emirates 24/7
US Ambassador to UAE visits Liwa Dates Festival
Martina Strong, Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Arab Emirates, praised the 21st Liwa Dates Festival, currently taking place in Al Dhafra Region. During her visit to the festival, Ambassador Strong expressed her deep admiration for the distinguished event, which offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore dates and the diverse products derived from the palm tree. She noted that the experience provided her with valuable insight into traditional crafts and local cuisine. She also commended the rich educational content presented by the organisers and their tremendous efforts in hosting such diverse heritage festivals. These events, she emphasised, offer an authentic window into the UAE's vibrant cultural heritage, blending the past with the present. As part of her tour, the US Ambassador viewed several pavilions in the date and fruit beauty competitions. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Fears bodies will wash away as ancient graveyard feels climate impact
Having withstood tsunamis for over 700 years, scientists are warning that an ancient graveyard could be reclaimed by the ocean within a generation. Approximately 75 per cent of heritage land at Wairau Bar on New Zealand's South Island could be lost, due to a deadly mix of rising sea levels and the threat of a one-in-100-year storm wave that could occur before 2130. Members of the local Māori community, the Rangitāne, are discussing whether to remove the bodies or allow them to be taken by the sea. The problem of changing weather patterns destroying cultural sites is causing concern around the world. Two examples include the Moai stone statues at Rapa Nui (Easter Island) being threatened by rising sea levels and increased storm activity, and Edinburgh Castle in Scotland facing degradation from increased rainfall. What's adding to the trauma of the situation at Wairau Bar is the remains of 60 Maori ancestors were only just repatriated to Wairau Bar 16 years ago. They had been taken without permission in the 1940s by the Dominion Museum, now the Canterbury Museum. Prior to their return, several were placed on display, echoing events that occurred at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery where the skeleton of Indigenous woman Truganini was placed in a glass cabinet. Artefacts taken at the same time remain in collections around the world, including the Russian Naval Museum and Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum. Related: 🙏 Australian museum's 'important' act towards New Zealand Corey Hebberd is a co-author of the paper and the general manager of one prominent "iwi" or tribe, the Rangitāne o Wairau. He still hopes these artefacts, known as taonga, could one day be returned home to an area where they are protected. 'The dream for us is that they come home to Wairau. They have a story to tell about the birthplace of our country and the Wairau Bar,' he told Yahoo News. But now, because of the changing climate, he's working on two fronts — the 'unfinished business' of bringing home the taonga, and ensuring those that remain in the ground aren't lost. 'We've got less time than we thought we had. I'm 30, and some of the modelling around inundation suggests it will happen in my lifetime,' he told Yahoo News. Wairau Bar, also known as Te Pokohiwi o Kupe, is a 19-hectare gravel bar that was home to at least 200 people after it was settled in the mid-1200s to early 1300s. Today it is covered in grass, and because of its isolation, the only sounds are those of birds, the ocean, and a nearby river. On a clear day, you can look across the water and see the capital, Wellington. The region has been subject to at least three major tsunamis, which likely forced out human settlers. But modelling indicates that climate change will increase threats to the site, primarily because one metre of sea level rise is expected between 2070 and 2130 if fossil fuels continue to be burned at current rates. 🪶 Concern as rare birds retreat to mountains where giant moa became extinct 🔎 Amazing vanishing world recreated on 12,300 hectare property in heart of outback 🚨 'Rule' Aussies must follow if they see one of world's rarest creatures Rangitāne o Wairau worked with Earth Sciences New Zealand to determine the impact of this problem coupled with extreme storm waves. They completed a first-order assessment of the site, and their research was published in the MAI Journal on Thursday. Its lead author, Shaun Williams from Earth Sciences New Zealand, explained that saltwater intrusion could already be compromising some of the artefacts at the site. Other immediate threats are coastal erosion and the slow onset of sea level rise, but an extreme one-in-100-year wave or a large tsunami could overwhelm most of Wairau Bar. But as the sea level rises over time, it will intensify the impact of any tsunami. 'If the same event were to happen today, compared to 50 or 100 years later, its impact would probably be more far-reaching,' he told Yahoo News. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Arab News
09-07-2025
- General
- Arab News
Jeddah museum displays 1,000 rare artifacts spanning Islamic history
JEDDAH: The House of Islamic Arts, the Kingdom's first museum solely for Islamic art, houses a collection that spans several eras of Islamic civilization. Located in Jeddah Park, the museum displays over 1,000 artifacts offering insight into Islamic values and the region's cultural and historical heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The museum includes six galleries, each exploring a distinct facet of Islamic heritage. The first gallery traces the evolution of ceramics and glassmaking from the 1st to the 10th century AH (7th to 16th century), showcasing pottery, a craft in antiquity that saw major development under Muslim artisans. The second gallery highlights Islamic metalworks featuring intricately decorated items and daily-use vessels. The third displays 500 coins from the Prophet Muhammad's era to modern times, offering a glimpse into the economic history of the Muslim world. The fourth gallery focuses on the influence of Islamic art on other civilizations and how European cultures engaged with Islamic artistic traditions. The fifth presents rare Qur'anic manuscripts, Arabic calligraphy pieces and wooden tablets used in Qur'an memorization. The final gallery showcases Islamic textiles, including pieces from the interior and exterior coverings of the Holy Kaaba and a rare curtain from the Shammi Gate of the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, crafted during the Ottoman era in the 13th century AH. The museum tour ends at the library, which offers a wide selection of Arabic and English books on Islamic history, culture, and literature.
Arab News
08-07-2025
- Arab News
Jazan's stone castles draw travelers into the past
RIYADH: The stone castles and ancient homes scattered across Jazan stand as silent witnesses to a rich history and architectural legacy spanning generations. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, the structures play a crucial role in promoting sustainable tourism and form an integral part of Jazan's tourism and cultural heritage. For generations, Jazan's castles and houses served as vibrant hubs of social and cultural activity. (SPA) The designs of these castles and stone houses vary widely and visitors are invited to gain insight into the traditional building methods and local materials used. Residents ingeniously utilized available resources to create functional homes tailored to the needs and lifestyles of their communities. For generations, Jazan's castles and houses served as vibrant hubs of social and cultural activity. (SPA) Far from being mere dwellings, these castles and houses served as vibrant hubs of social and cultural activity. They hosted countless family gatherings, celebrations and social events, highlighting the strong cohesion of the local community. They remain emblematic of regional identity. Today, the castles and stone houses of Jazan draw history buffs and eco-tourists alike, offering a glimpse of the Kingdom's cultural tapestry and efforts to preserve Jazan's legacy.
