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September 29, 2004
Why the Antonine Wall? Why not Iona?
Lucy Bannerman and Jenny Nobbs have a report in the Herald about the campaign to give World Heritage Site (WHS) status to the Roman Antonine Wall. Supporters hope to “raise the profile of the forgotten frontier”. However protection, not publicity, is the purpose of a WHS. Apparently some 25 out of a total length of 37 miles of the wall “have escaped modern development” though not modern agriculture.
As an archaeologist, I have to wonder how much of the wall really needs extra protection, above and beyond what it receives now. I realize that there is an interesting international tie-up with similar sites in Germany, Austria and Slovenia, but Scotland must have many other candidates for WHS: Iona, Staffa, Rhum, Wester Ross, Callanish, the Cuillins, Inverpolly and maybe others. Unlike the Antonine Wall, some of these are important for tourism and others could benefit from a greater degree of protection.
www.theherald.co.uk/news/24448.html
www.scotland.gov.uk/pages/news/2003/02/SETC144a.aspx
Posted by Simon Holledge at September 29, 2004 10:10 AM