Astronomy and World
heritage UNESCO
International conference Yu.A.Nefedyev,
A.V.Gusev Kazan State University, Russia The
International Conference "Astronomy and world heritage: across time and
continents" is briefly considered. It was held on August 19-28, 2009, according to
the decision made by UNESCO, Government of the Republic of Tatarstan and
Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was a unique
event as it was officially organized under the aegis of UNESCO. The main subject
of the Conference was significance of astronomy and cosmic
scientific-and-technological heritage for all the countries and continents in
terms of enrichment of the history of humanity and promotion of international
cooperation in scientific-and-technological progress. Within the framework of
the Conference the following activities were also organized: International conference "Near-Earth astronomy In the end of 2003 the World Heritage Center of UNESCO (UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization) announced of the beginning of a new project on identification and
preservation of archaeological-and-astronomical and astronomical objects of
historical and cultural value all over the world. The First international
congress of experts organized by the World Heritage Center of UNESCO and the
UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science in Europe within the framework of the
project "Archaeological-and-Astronomical Sites and Observatories" took place in
Venice in March 2004. The conference defined the strategy for the "Astronomy
and World Heritage" subject program, as well as the general criteria of
selection of archaeological-and-astronomical sites and observatories. On December 20, 2007 the United Nations' 62nd General
Assembly proclaimed 2009 to be the International Year of Astronomy. In the
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly it is stated that "the Year could
play a crucial role in raising public awareness of the importance of astronomy
and basic sciences for sustainable development of the civilization". UNESCO was
appointed to arrange the activities to be realized during the Year of Astronomy.
The UNESCO thematic initiative "Astronomy and World Heritage" is aimed at
assistance in preparation and holding the events of the Year, at raising public
awareness (especially with young people) of preservation of scientific and
cultural heritage, at enhancement of the links between science, education and
culture. On January 15, 2009, during the opening ceremony of the Year of
Astronomy, the UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura officially proclaimed
the international conference "Astronomy and World Heritage: Across Time and
Continents" (held in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan) under the auspices of the
Government of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Academy of Sciences and
Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO of the Russian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs to be the major scientific event of the Year. The choice of Kazan was
not accidental: it is Kazan where there is one of the oldest astronomical
observatories in Russia, V.P.Engelgardt astronomical observatory, which is soon
to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. In addition to the initiative of UNESCO, Kazan State University offered
to organize and host the astronomical congress "AstroKazan-2009" (August 19-27,
2009) with associated conferences: "Near-Earth Astronomy - The Honorary Scientific Committee of the international conference
"Astronomy and World Heritage: Across Time and Continents" consisted of
representatives of UNESCO, International Astronomical Union, Academicians and
corresponding members of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Tatarstan Academy
of Sciences. Among over 450 conference participants there were coordinators of
the thematic initiative of UNESCO from 15 countries, representatives of
Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, famous scientists -
astronomers and archeologists, directors of astronomical observatories of
Russia and other countries, twice the Hero of the Soviet Union cosmonaut G.M.Grechko. The conference program included the papers on research of ancient objects whose astronomical purpose had been proved
both archeologically and astronomically, as well as papers on astronomical
observatories of either historical or architectural value deserving inscription
on UNESCO World Heritage List. The huge importance of astronomy in the life of
different nations from the most ancient times till now was stressed by the
whole Conference Program. In the course of the opening
ceremony the conference participants were welcomed by F.H.Mukhametshin,
Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan, M.H.Salakhov,
Rector of Kazan State University, A.A.Boyarchuk, academician, Chairman of the
National Committee of Russian Astronomers, Anna Sidorenko-Dulom,
plenipotentiary representative of UNESCO, Clive Ruggles, Chairman of IAU/UNESCO
Scientific Working Group on Astronomical Heritage, Vice-President of IAU
Commission 41 on History of Astronomy, Alexander Broksenberg, President of the
United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO, G.E.Ordzhonikidze,
Secretary-General of the Russian National Commission for UNESCO. The scientific part of the conference opened with the report "Kazan
Astronomical Heritage" by academician of the Academy of Sciences of the
Republic of Tatarstan N.A.Sakhibullin and Doctor of physical and mathematical
sciences Yu.A.Nefedyev (Director of V.P.Engelgardt astronomical observatory).
They were followed by the reports by Doctor of physical and mathematical
sciences V.V.Shevchenko - "50th Anniversary of Robotic Lunar
Investigation" - and by cosmonaut G.M.Grechko - "Space Horizons". Scientific program of the Conference consisted of two parts: Archaeological-and-Astronomical
Objects and Astronomical
Observatories. The papers on archaeological-and-astronomical
objects were distributed on the regional basis: "Russia", "Caucasus",
"Europe", and "Asia". In his introductory report "Astronomy and World Heritage"
dedicated to development of the thematic initiative of UNESCO Clive Ruggles
(Great Britain) familiarized participants of the conference with the
preliminary list of the most valuable astronomical objects. Dr.Cipriano Marin
(Spain) made a presentation of the "Starlight" Initiative coordinated by him;
Dr. Michael A.Rappenglück (Germany) presented the results of study of
astronomical heritage of the Paleolithic epoch proving that astronomical
observations in many respects determined both the worldview and routine
activities of ancient people. Dr.Jarita Holbrook (USA) reported on "Indigenous
Astronomy and Its Heritage", B.Hidayat (Indonesia) - on "An Indo-Malay
Worldview". The astronomers were supplemented by the archeologists. The results of
Russian research were presented by the leading scientists of the Institute of
Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the State Hermitage Museum,
Chelyabinsk University, Dagestan and other regions. The objects of research
included both the numerous rock petroglyphs located on the banks of Onega lake
and in Dagestan mountains, and the 20-meter high majestic barrow-tomb of the 5th
century B.C. surrounded with Cyclopian megaliths, as well as megaliths of a
granite massif in the Urals Mountains, in headwaters of the Iset' river. Many
of the given objects obviously deserve addition to the World Heritage List (as
the latter still lacks any Russian object of this sort). Report on mythology of
the Evenkis about the Tungus phenomenon was also interesting. Vast spaces of
our country have preserved virgin inviolability of significant objects of the
most ancient civilizations. The scientists have started investigating them only
recently. The Caucasian region was represented by the scientist from
Shemakhinskaya observatory of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan A.Rustamov,
who reported on "Ancient Solar Observatory of Globustan". He informed the
audience of petroglyphs located in the Azerbaijan mountains giving the evidence
that the ancient inhabitants of this territory conducted regular astronomical
observations. Bulgarian scientists A., M., and P.Stoyevs presented the results
of the study of megalithic memorial monument of the Bronze Age located on the
territory of their country, the ancient solar observatory in Rhodopes
mountains, as well as their interpretation of decorative signs on various
objects belonging to the prehistoric civilization, such as images of the Sun,
the Moon, and constellations. According to M.E.Ozel (Turkey), the full solar
eclipse, described by Herodotus, observed in the year of The Astronomical Observatories section included reports on ancient and
modern astronomical observatories of different countries, and particularly the
history and contribution to the global science of the oldest observatories of
Russia (Pulkovo and Moscow observatories) and Ukraine, presented by the
directors of relevant observatories. Jean Davoigneau (France) presented the
amazing fundamental report "A survey of Large Meridian Instruments: Across
Continents and Time", dedicated to the analysis of evolution of the given type
of astronomical instrument from VII Century B.C. in China, later in India,
Greece, and other countries to modern, most technologically advanced ones. Le Guet Tully (France) provided a comprehensive account of the "Carte du
Ciel" or the "Great Star Map" fundamental project implemented by the consortium
of scientists from different countries. B.M.Shustov presented the final report
"Astronomical World Heritage for Future". Congress participants stressed that it is inadmissible to exclude
astronomy from Russian secondary school curricula and adopted the decision to
support the initiative of cosmonaut G.M.Grechko on submission of the relevant
letter to the Minister of Science and Education of the Russian Federation
A.A.Fursenko. In conclusion the Kazan Resolution was passed at the Conference. Main world importance of this Resolution is to determine material
and non-material objects of the cosmic heritage. They are: 1.
The
objects whose location or structure is connected with celestial objects or
astronomical events; 2.
Pictures
of the sky and/or the celestial objects and astronomical events; 3.
Observatories
and instruments; 4.
Objects
closely connected with history of astronomy; 5.
Objects
of scientific-and-technological cosmic heritage. Kazan Resolution highlights the special
recommendations for UNESCO in regard to including the astronomic objects in UNESCO World
Heritage List. |
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