Mrauk-U Archaeology Department prepares for UNESCO experts’ visit

By DMG 17 Dec 2022

DMG Newsroom
17 December 2022, Mrauk-U

The Mrauk-U branch of the Department of Archaeology and National Museum is checking over heritage buildings and artefacts in the Mrauk-U ancient cultural zone to prepare for a field visit by UNESCO experts.

The department is documenting historical records, architectural works, artworks, artefacts and temples and pagodas over 100 years old, said the department’s deputy director, U Nyo Myint Tun.

“We are working to get Mrauk-U inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. And we are documenting the ancient cultural heritage there. We also hope that this will also make people cherish the heritage in Mrauk-U,” said U Nyo Myint Tun.

The department is documenting both moveable and immovable objects ranging from ancient household items, Buddha statues, stone inscriptions, pagodas and temples, moats, fortifications, irrigation channels and other items, according to the department.

“We have categorised them as household items, religious objects and so on. We also categorised Buddha statues depending on the materials they are made of; for example, wooden Buddha statues or bronze statues. We have documented all of them,” said U Nyo Myint Tun.

Upon completion of the documenting process, the department has plans to publish a book about Mrauk-U’s artefacts and heritage buildings.

The Mrauk-U Cultural Heritage Conservation Association and the Department of Archaeology and National Museum are working together on Mrauk-U’s UNESCO bid. Mrauk-U’s exemplary stone carving and sculptures, unique pagodas and stupas, ancient city walls and moats used in bygone days for irrigation and drainage as well as defence, are among the features highlighted in the UNESCO bid.

A draft proposal to designate the ancient Arakanese city as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was submitted in September 2019. The final proposal was submitted on December 30, 2021.