After 70 years of excavation, ancient Sardis becomes a UNESCO World Heritage site
The ancient city of Sardis in Turkey has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site following 70 years of continuous archaeological excavation. The project is noted for its long-term institutional commitment and efforts to make historical findings accessible to the public.
Why it matters
This recognition highlights the importance of sustained academic research in preserving and understanding global cultural heritage.
For thousands of years, the ancient city of Sardis in western Turkey changed hands as Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans rose and fell. Yet while the city's rulers changed repeatedly, one thing has remained remarkably steady. Since 1958, archaeologists have returned every year as part of the Harvard Cornell Exploration of Ancient Sardis, making it one of the world's longest running institutional excavation projects.
The article is a factual report on archaeological and cultural heritage developments.
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