French Polynesia has made a fresh bid to include sites in the Marquesas Islands on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Its culture minister Heremoana Maamaatuaiahutapu said the French national commission vetting the bid has accepted nine of the 43 sites initially presented.
The proposal is now to go to UNESCO for consideration.
In 2006, French Polynesia first mooted such a listing and hoped for recognition by UNESCO by 2009.
Last year, UNESCO recognised Taputapuatea marae on Raiatea island as a world heritage site.