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State of Conservation (SOC)

Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (2006)

Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0 (from1987-1998)
Total Amount Ap proved: 118,700USD

1998   Master Plan for Chan Chan Archaeological Zone   8,700  USD
1997   Emergency assistance for the Archaeological Zone of Chan Chan   50,000  USD
1997   Technical advice for the preparation of an Integral Plan for Chan ...   20,000  USD
1994   Regional and International Course on the Conservation of Earthen ...   20,000  USD
1987   Consultancy and equipment for the safeguarding of Chan Chan   20,000  USD
Missions**
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

a) Risk of disintegration and destruction of structures, surfaces and decorative art caused by humidity produced by rising water levels in the aquifer of the property;

b) Delay in legislative procedures for Draft legislation No. 3807 concerning the illegal occupation of the Chan Chan Archaeological Zone. 

Corrective Measures

a) Establishment of the Multisectorial Commission;

b) Stability of the phreatic level in the property;

c) The area protected from intruders.

 

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures:

a) The objectives of the Multisectorial Comission attained in 2004;

b) Drainage works Phase one, completed in 2005;

c) Drainage works Phase two, to be completed in 2006;

d) Other conservation works 2006 and beyond.

Current conservation issues

In January 2006, the World Heritage Centre received the State of Conservation report from the State Party, including the final results of the works carried out during the first phase of the emergency actions undertaken in the archaeological complex. The works were finalized in December 2005 and the resulting in a continuous decrease in the water level of at least 0.19 meter each month, these actions have maintained a stable phreatic level as was requested by the Committee. The report also describes the measures taken to remove the excess vegetation from the Great Chimú and Ulhe Palaces; these measures consist on the cleaning and extraction of all the vegetation during 2006.

Concerning the press information regarding the farmers and occupants of the Archeological zone, the State of Conservation report gives information on the following advances in this issue: the legal background for the resettlement of and recuperation of the Archeological zone was set by law 28621, called Law on the Need for a Public Significance of the recuperation of the Archeological Complex of Chan Chan, and prescribes the establishment of a Multisectorial Commission. This was established on 30 March 2004 and is composed of National and local representatives. The occupants of the Archeological site were notified to present their cases to the commission. At the moment the Commission is working in the regulation of the Law 28621, and once the regulation is approved, the analysis of the 200 cases will begin in order to define the relocation and appropriate legal measures according to Ministerial resolution 0153-2005-ED.

The report also mentions a recent increase in waste and deforestation on the roads that cross Chan Chan from East to West in the central and south part of the complex. According to the report, the measures taken include the identification of the violators, administrative sanctions and discussions with the concerned Municipal Governments in order to clean the place and impose official sanctions.

Additionally, the report mentions two projects carried out for the conservation of the site. The first project began in 2005 and included the conservation of Velarde Palace and support for the reorganization of the Chan Chan Museum, both finalized in 2005. It also included the enlargement of drainage n°13, foreseen for February 2006 with financing from the International Assistance Request of the World Heritage Centre already in the UNESCO office Lima with a total amount of USD 30,000. The second project concerns the third mission of the Institute for Applied Technology to Cultural Assets (ITABC) in Rome to Chan Chan for the elaboration of a digital topographic system for the conservation and documentation of the site to be used for the conception of the Master and Management Plan of the Site. This project includes: Restoration of the Rivero Palace, Archeological Park of Chan Chan and the Documentation Centre. This project is being carried out in collaboration with the National Institute for Culture (INC).

Conclusion
Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

30COM7A.32
Link to the decision

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7A,

2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 7A.30, adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005),

3. Commends the State Party for the actions taken to protect and preserve the World Heritage site of Chan Chan Archaeological Zone, in particular the progress made with regard to reducing the water level at the property and the restoration of the buildings;

4. Congratulates the State Party for the efforts made to solve the problem of the resettlement of the occupants and farmers away from the property;

5. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2007, a report on the process of resettlement of the farmers and their sustainable livelihood, as well as progress on the stabilization of the phreatic levels in the property, and the results obtained within the framework of the International Assistance provided under the World Heritage Fund, for examination by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007;

6. Requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM mission to assess the state of conservation of the property, determine prioritized benchmarks for corrective measures and time-frames needed for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, and those needed for the continuing sustainability and its continuous monitoring, together with the necessary technical training;

7. Decides to retain Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

30COM8C.2
Link to the decision

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC-06/30.COM/7A and WHC-06/30.COM/7A.Add.Rev),

2. Maintains the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:

   • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 30 COM 7A.22)

   • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley, (Decision 30 COM 7A.23)

   • Azerbaijan, Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower (Decision 30 COM 7A.29) 

   • Benin, Royal Palaces of Abomey (Decision 30 COM 7A.16)

   • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.1)

   • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 30 COM 7A.31)

   • Côte d'Ivoire, Comoé National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.2)

   • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 30 COM 7A.3)

   • Democratic Rep. of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 30 COM 7A.8)

   • Democratic Rep. of the Congo Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.6)

   • Democratic Rep. of the Congo Virunga National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.7)

   • Democratic Rep. of the Congo Garamba National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.4)

   • Democratic Rep. of the Congo Salonga National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.5)

   • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 30 COM 7A.19)

   • Ethiopia, Simien National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.9)

   • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 30 COM 7A.15)

   • India, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (Decision 30 COM 7A.13)

   • Islamic Republic of Iran, Bam and its Cultural Landscape (Decision 30 COM 7A.25)

   • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 30 COM 7A.20)

   • Jerusalem, Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (Decision 30 COM 7A.34)

   • Nepal, Kathmandu Valley (Decision 30 COM 7A.26)

   • Niger, Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 30 COM 7A.10)

   • Pakistan, Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore (Decision 30 COM 7A.27)

   • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 30 COM 7A.32)

   • Philippines, Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras (Decision 30 COM 7A.28)

   • United Republic of Tanzania, Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara (Decision 28 COM 7A.17)

   • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.14)

   • Venezuela, Coro and its Port (Decision 30 COM 7A.33)

   • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 30 COM 7A.21)

Draft Decision: 30 COM 7A.32

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7A,

2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 7A.30, adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005),

3. Commends the State Party for the actions taken to protect and preserve the World Heritage site of Chan Chan Archaeological Zone, in particular the progress made with regard to reducing the water level at the property and the restoration of the buildings;

4. Congratulates the State Party for the efforts made to solve the problem of the resettlement of the occupants and farmers from the property;

5. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2007, a report on the process of resettlement of illegal farmers, as well as on the results obtained within the framework of the International Assistance provided under the World Heritage Fund, for examination by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007;

6. Decides to retain Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Chan Chan Archaeological Zone
State Party:
Peru
Date of Inscription: 1986
Nomination records (Year): 1985
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(iii)
Danger List: Yes
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports (year)
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
1994
1993
Threats*
  • Relative humidity
  • Water
  • Illegal activities
  • Legal framework
  • Other Threats:
Documents
WHC-06/30.COM/7A
Other Documents:
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
SOC ID: 1125
Inscription on the Danger List
Year: 1986
Threats to the Site:

The vast and fragile site of Chan Chan was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1986, the same year it was inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Its adobe, or earthen, structures are quickly damaged by natural erosion as they become exposed to air and rain and they require continuous conservation efforts and substantial ancillary measures.

The Committee recommended, therefore, that appropriate measures be taken for the conservation, restoration and management of the site, that excavation work be halted unless accompanied by appropriate conservation measures and that all possible steps be taken to control plundering of the site. 


* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.