ARCHES Backstories: additional endangered objects and sites

Scroll down to the bottom of these Smarthistory essays to read about the threatened status of these objects and sites, as well as the preservation and restoration efforts currently underway.



Warka (Uruk) Vase, Uruk, Late Uruk period, c. 3500-3000 B.C.E., 105 cm high (National Museum of Iraq)
One of the most precious artifacts from Sumer, the Warka Vase was looted and almost lost forever.

Warka Vase


Nasca culture
These images carved into the desert floor cannot be truly appreciated from the ground—so who were they made for?

Nasca Geoglyphs


These records tell us a great deal about the ancient world, with topics ranging from receipts to school assignments.

Cuneiform Tablets















Machu Picchu
The Inka emperor hosted feasts, performed religious ceremonies, and ruled his empire from this remote citadel.

Machu Picchu


The Paracas Textile
This nearly 2000-year-old old textile survives thanks to the arid environment of southern Peru where it was buried.

The Paracas Textile




The Taj Mahal
This huge white-marble mausoleum is recognized the world over for its splendor, symmetry, and stunning gardens.

The Taj Mahal