Appendix 1: The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology (2004) 33.1: 106–121 doi: 10.1111/j.1095-9270.2004.009.x WBlackwellwilliam.jef
[email protected] Ltd Phone: 61 7 4781 5822 War II Underwater Cultural Heritage Sites in Truk Lagoon: Considering a Case for World Heritage Listing Bill Jeffery Department of Archaeology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4810, Australia This paper explores a number of issues in regard to the world heritage listing of the World War II underwater cultural heritage sites located in Truk Lagoon. The destruction of the Japanese Naval Base at Truk was an important event in the American strategy to end World War II and it had a profound effect on the indigenous inhabitants. Divers from all over the world visit Truk Lagoon to dive the 50 shipwrecks and numerous aircraft. The paper investigates the significance of the sites in accordance with the criteria for world heritage listing, and in context with Pacific Island Nations requirements. © 2004 The Nautical Archaeology Society Key words: World War II, Truk Lagoon, shipwreck, World Heritage Site. Introduction his paper is part of a larger research highlighting this brief, but significant, period of project to assess the world heritage the history of Chuuk, to diminish the signific- T significance of the World War II ance of the indigenous culture, traditions, and underwater cultural heritage sites located in Truk surviving historic sites. Chuuk has a rich history, Lagoon, Chuuk. A number of excellent books on and indigenous voyaging, navigation and the the shipwrecks of Truk Lagoon have been associated people and craft are more important published (Lindemann, 1982; Bailey, 2000), to the cultural identity of this region, from which primarily aimed at the sport diver, for whom these emanated some of the last great Pacific Island sites are of world renown.