Twenty years of protection of historic values in Antarctica under the Madrid Protocol

Abstract

Even though the history of human activity in Antarctica is only 200 years old, there are a significant number of structures and artefacts left behind from these activities that make up the population of cultural heritage we find today. From nineteenth-century sealing sites to the wooden huts of explorers and scientists and to the ruins of industrial whaling stations the historic monuments and sites are important witnesses of past events. They are at risk from both natural degradation and from increased human presence in Antarctica. Recommendations relating to cultural heritage were formulated already at the first Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in 1961, and in 1972, a list of historic sites and monuments (HSM) was compiled. The Madrid Protocol and its Annex V on Area Protection and Management represented a big step forward for cultural heritage management and further improvements have occurred during the 20 years since its entering into force. However, cultural heritage expertise has consistently been lacking in the Antarctic Treaty System and associated institutions to ensure adequate processes for HSM nominations and management. Current CEP initiatives indicate that this lack is acknowledged, and the gap may be filled in the future.

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