The territory of Roy Mata - World Cultural Heritage at Vanuat

Unesco's Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization has recognized Roy Mata's Territory as a World Cultural Heritage in 2008.

The territory of Roy Mata, Vanuatu

Roy Mata or Roi Mata is a 17th-century Melanesia king, the area of ​​today is the Republic of Vanuatu . The Republic of Vanuatu is an island nation consisting of a group of islands located in the southwestern Pacific.

French archaeologist Jose Garranger discovered archaeological sites about Roy Mata in 1967 during a regional study tour. This is the first world heritage and so far is still the only Vanuatu Republic recognized by Unesco .

Jose Garranger identified Roy Mata's throne position on Artok Island by analyzing the data of people in the area that were associated with the indigenous cultural analysis. According to the legend, when Roy Mata conquered this land, his aim was to unite the individual tribes together to form a sustainable development community. After succeeding and creating a dynasty, King Roy Mata managed to live his dynasty in prosperous peace. Unfortunately, King Roy Mata was poisoned by his younger brother, but his body was not buried in his hometown because the poisoner feared that the people would rise up and dismay. Since he was poisoned and died so far, the name Roy Mata has become a forbidden name and no one has been given that name.

The site was discovered by French archaeologist in 1967.

In 2008, three archaeological sites related to Roy Mata were discovered on the island of Efate, Lelepa and Artok . All three of these sites are associated with the life and death of Roy Mata, so there is tremendous value.

At these archaeological sites, archaeologists have found many artifacts and vivid evidence of a golden age of Roy Mata. In addition, these sites reflect the development of society in the area at that time.

According to research results, the earliest settlement found by archaeological evidence is the settlement on the island of Efate.

Here some ceramic pieces dating back more than 3000 years have been found. That proves life in the area more than 3000 years ago. Since its creation, the island nation has not always had life. In 1452, a volcano called Kuwae at Shepherd Island - a large island belonging to the island nation of Vanuatu has operated to disrupt the life of the people here. These residents had to migrate to another island to live for a long time.

In the 1600s, the civil war called the Efate war broke out and a major migration from Efate to the island of Shepherd took place. The island was severely eroded by volcanic eruption in 1452, only to begin to regain human life.
Europeans began arriving in the island nation in the 1840s and only 20 years later there were European settlements here.

People living around the archaeological site

In 1870, the island began to have tourist activities. Around 1900, the disease killed a large population of the island nation. It was not until 1967 that Roy Mata's estate was found and conducted excavations and research.

Roy Mata's territory was recognized by Unesco according to criteria (iii), (v), (vi)

Criterion (iii): Roy Mata's territory is a cultural landscape that reflects the history and development of a dynasty.

Criterion (v): Roy Mata's territory is also an outstanding example of a region's development in the Pacific.

Criterion (vi): Archaeological sites are found to have many historical and cultural values ​​of the dynasty built by Roy Mata.