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Minister of State Müntefering on today’s UNESCO decision
Federal Foreign Office Minister of State for International Cultural Policy Michelle Müntefering issued the following statement today (30 June) on the decision to inscribe Hedeby and the Danevirke on the UNESCO World Heritage List:
I welcome the decision by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The 43rd German World Heritage site fills a gap on the World Heritage List, since archaeological sites are under-represented, particularly in the North Sea and Baltic Sea region. Both sites provide excellent insights into the expansion of trade networks and intercultural exchange as well as into the development of Northern European cities between the 8th and the 11th centuries.
Background information:
Today, at its 42nd session in Manama/Bahrain, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee recognised two Viking age sites, Hedeby and the Danevirke, as world heritage sites. The World Heritage Committee thus followed the recommendation of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) to inscribe the sites on the List under the title “Archaeological Border Complex of Hedeby and the Danevirke”.
The meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Manama/Bahrain will continue until 4 July 2018. As well as deciding on the inscription of 31 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Committee will discuss the protection of endangered sites and the further development of the World Heritage programme.