04.15.2020 - By Getty
Cultural
heritage sites around the world are under threat not only from catastrophic
events like war and natural disasters but also from daily use and lack of resources.
In 2010, archaeologist Larry Coben founded the Sustainable Preservation
Initiative (SPI) to address the challenge of preserving sites in areas of great
poverty. He pioneered an approach that provides training and support to
communities living near cultural heritage sites, empowering them to turn
preservation into economic opportunity. SPI now works in Peru, Guatemala,
Jordan, Turkey, Tanzania, and Bulgaria.
In this episode, Coben discusses his unusual path from lawyer and energy executive to archaeologist, sharing the work that inspired his innovative approach to cultural heritage preservation.
For images, transcripts, and more, visit getty.edu/podcasts.