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State of Conservation (SOC)

Bahla Fort (1994)

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 (from1988-1988)
Total Amount Ap proved: 57,000USD

1988 Financial contribution to works and training for the safeguarding ...   50,000  USD
1988 Mission to evaluate the threats to the integrity of Bahla Fort ...   7,000  USD
Missions**

October 1988: ICOMOS mission; March 1994: UNESCO World Heritage Centre mission; December 1994: ICOMOS expert mission

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Degradation of the structures;
  • Use of recent construction materials (cement, etc.)
Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

The World Heritage Centre informed the Committee during its seventeenth session on the progress of the restoration work at this site inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

The Delegate of Oman informed the Committee that the national authorities were studying the situation and would present a report to the Centre as soon as possible.

During a mission to Oman at the invitation of the Government, from 19 to 24 March 1994, the Director of the World Heritage Centre was able to examine the progress of restoration work underway, being carried out mainly by foreign specialists recruited for this task in the framework of a project of several million US dollars that the national Government has initiated for the restoration of the Fort, for the 1993-1996 period. As the Committee was informed during its December 1993 session, it appears probable that the nature of the material used by this team for the restoration work, the rapidity with which the work is being carried out and the methods used could raise a certain number of questions with regard to conserving the authenticity of the monument.

By a letter dated 19 July 1994, the Omani authorities replied favourably to the World Heritage Centre's proposal to send an ICOMOS expert who had already evaluated the site in 1988, at the time of its inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger, in order to evaluate the working methods being used, the use of the US$50,000 approved by the Committee in 1988 and new alternatives which could be considered.

In September 1994 it was agreed with the national authorities that the mission would take place from 10 to 19 December, and the results would be presented to the nineteenth session of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1995.

Conclusion

It is recommended that this site be retained on the List of World Heritage in Danger. No further specific action is required at this moment.

Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

18COMIX
Link to the decision

Bahla Fort (Oman)

The Committee recalled that it was informed during its seventeenth session, that intensive restoration works were being undertaken at this site and that it appeared probable that the nature of the material used for the restoration work, the rapidity with which the work was being carried out and the methods used could raise a certain number of questions with regard to conserving the authenticity of the monument. The Committee was informed that the Director of the World Heritage Centre, at the invitation of the Government of Oman, undertook a mission to Oman in March 1994 during which he was able to examine the progress of restoration work underway. Following this mission it was agreed with the national authorities that an expert mission would take place from 10 to 19 December 1994.

The Committee decided to retain this site on the List of World Heritage in Danger and requested that the results of this mission be presented to the nineteenth session of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1995.

 

The Committee recalled that it was informed during, its seventeenth session, that intensive restoration works were being undertaken at this site and that it appeared probable that the nature of the material used for the restoration work, the rapidity with which the work was being carried out and the methods used could raise a certain number of questions with regard to conserving the authenticity of the monument. The Committee was informed that, the Director of the World Heritage Centre, at the invitation of the Government of Oman, undertook a mission to Oman in March 1994 at which he was able to examine the progress of restoration work underway. Following this mission it was agreed with the national authorities that an expert mission would take place from 10 to 19 December 1994.

The Committee decided to retain this site on the List of World Heritage in Danger and requested that the results of this mission be presented to the nineteenth session of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1995.

Bahla Fort
State Party:
Oman
Date of Inscription: 1987
Nomination records (Year): 1986
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (iv)
Danger List: Yes
Documents
Original Documents
WHC.94/CONF.001/03B
WHC.94/CONF.003/06 Add
WHC.94/CONF.003/06
Other Documents
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports
SOC Reports by year
2012
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
1994
1993
1988
Detailed List of SOC reports
Threats*
Management activities
Other Threats:
Degradation of the structures
Inscription on the Danger List
Year: 1988 -2004
Threats to the Site:

Inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger at the request of the State Party, following the advanced state of deterioration of the monument, which is getting worse every rainy season.


* : 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.