Friends and colleagues: We are very encouraged that some organizations are taking significant concrete steps to help preserve important cultural heritage sites in our world.  An important example of such initiative is described by Ping Yao, China: The Last Ancient City, the latest video feature on our nonprofit streaming-media Web site, The Archaeology Channel (http://www.archaeologychannel.org).

Ping Yao in Shanxi, China, was the site of the central bank for much of the Silk Road trade during the Ming and Qing dynasties.  One of only two Chinese ancient cities with UNESCO World Heritage status, but with over 40,000 low-income residents within its ancient walls, Ping Yao faces unprecedented pressures and deterioration of its core historic Qing Dynasty district and last remaining temples, towers, palaces, banks, and ancient residences.  The Global Heritage Fund is developing a plan for conservation, restoration and responsible tourism in Ping Yao.

This and other programs are available on TAC for your use and enjoyment.  We urge you to support this public service by participating in our Membership (http://www.archaeologychannel.org/member.html) and Underwriting (http://www.archaeologychannel.org/sponsor.shtml) programs.  Only with your help can we continue and enhance our nonprofit public-education and visitor-supported programming.  We also welcome new content partners as we reach out to the world community.

Please forward this message to others who may be interested.

Richard M. Pettigrew, Ph.D., RPA
President and Executive Director
Archaeological Legacy Institute
http://www.archaeologychannel.org


_________________________________________________________________