The UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage in the Pacific Honiara, Solomon Islands

Introduction: "The Micronesian Island cluster provides an array of archaeological wealth for the understanding of early human migration and settlement patterns. Indigenous archaeology as well as underwater archaeology examines the cultural and social interaction, lifestyles, and cultural changes through time based on artifactual records. Understanding the value of these different facets of our past offer constructive insight for the importance of the different archaeological studies in the region. This will promote effective and sustainable resource management, training, public education and awareness, and advocacy that will instigate community based efforts and goals in preserving archaeological heritage sites. Cultural resource management will allocate the awareness of traditional cultural heritage in an archaeological sense that would embody sustainability and sensitivity towards cultural antiquity. Underwater cultural heritage offer a vast selection of heritage wealth for the understanding and interpretation of our past and past events. Underwater archaeology has yet to receive its much needed recognition and appreciation within the Palauan community mainly since the field is not fully matured or well-understood by the majority. The interest in exploring this new discipline is soaring amongst the youth which is a good incentive in to the development of local training programs, workshops, as well as courses at the college level." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Palau Historic Preservation Office, Bureau of Arts & Culture, Ministry of Community & Cultural Affairs, administered by the Pacific West Regional Office, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

The UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage in the Pacific Honiara, Solomon Islands

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