On this episode of Through the Human Geography Lens, hosts Terri Ryan and Gwyneth Holt talk with Dr. Laurie Rush, the Cultural Resources Manager and Army Archaeologist at Fort Drum, New York.
00:35 Upcoming WWHGD Webinar on Cultural Heritage and Human Geography scheduled for October 19th, 2022.
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00:50 Defining "cultural heritage" and "cultural property".
01:05 Unique, powerful, and sensible definition from Dr. Rush.
01:30 The Hague definition.
The Hague Convention on protecting cultural property in armed conflict
02:00 Describing her role as a cultural resources manager.
03:35 Expanding her role to teach cross-cultural landscapes to deploying soldiers.
04:35 Drawing parallels between international sensitivity and our internal domestic perspectives on cultural property.
05:40 Example: "Tooth of the Dragon", a pointed rock, in the Bamian valley of central Afghanistan.
A discussion of the Bamian Valley
The Nara Principles for Cultural Restoration
06:35 Is there a database of important sites like "Tooth of the Dragon"?
07:35 Local community partnership development. Ideally, with the keepers of the heritage before any disruptive events.
10:15 A GIS layer with important cultural artifacts localized seems highly desirable. Are there any risks in that accumulation or exposure?
War and Heritage from the Getty Conservation Institute
12:35 How do you train soldiers to support this cultural task when deployed?
Cultural preservation Training Aids from the Smithsonian
13:30 Example: Remote Afghan water systems with surface holes easy to spot.
A discussion of the Qanat water systems of the Middle East (Dr. Rush uses the regionally correct term "kareez").
14:50 Other examples: Smithsonian's Dr. Katherine Hanson helping strategic planning to save Raqqa from ISIS.
The Battle for Raqqa (2017)
Article about Raqqa preservation by Dr. Hanson.
16:05 The staying power of ancient places to the people who live there. Ex: The Temple of Artemis at Sardis in Turkey.
The Temple of Artemis at Sardis
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