Selecting cultural sites for the UNESCO World Heritage List: Recent work in the Rock Islands–Southern Lagoon area, Republic of Palau

A collaborative approach combining archaeological expertise with traditional knowledge and local community involvement has emerged as a key strategy for identifying cultural properties of outstanding universal value (OUV) in the Pacific Islands, particularly in the Rock Islands–Southern Lagoon area of Palau. This research highlights how such partnerships can address the under-representation of the Pacific region on the UNESCO World Heritage List, while also navigating challenges related to governance and resource accumulation. The study underscores the importance of integrating indigenous perspectives with scientific methods to strengthen heritage nominations and management in the region.

Reepmeyer, C., Clark, G., Alexander, D., Olkeriil, I. U., Liston, J., & Kitalong, A. H. (2011). Selecting cultural sites for the UNESCO World Heritage List: Recent work in the Rock Islands–Southern Lagoon area, Republic of Palau. Pacific Island Heritage (Terra Australis 35): Archaeology, Identity & Community. https://doi.org/10.22459/ta35.11.2011.08