The ‘Global Heritage Stone Resource’ designation: past, present and future

Abstract

AbstractThe proposal to designate those natural stones that have achieved widespread utilization in human culture was first mooted in late 2007, and first presented in a public forum at the 33rd International Geological Congress in July 2008. Over the next four years, a network of international correspondents was created, circulars were distributed, a website was established and formal rules were adopted, all with the focus of establishing the ‘Global Heritage Stone Resource’ designation. During the 34th International Geological Congress in July 2012, the Heritage Stone Task Group was formally established under the auspices of the International Union of Geological Sciences, in association with the International Association of Engineering Geology and the Environment, Commission C-10 Building Stones and Ornamental Rocks, and with a formal Board of Management. It has now been recognized that the new designation has value both in offering a mechanism to promote the safeguarding of stone resources, as well as in the formal definition of stone types within sufficiently tight parameters that it can facilitate name protection. For the future, the Board of Management needs to encourage and approve nominations for the new designation. As well, an annual conference needs to be organized.