Bahla Fort

• Degradation of the structures;
• Use of recent construction materials (cement, etc.)

The World Heritage Centre informed the Committee during its seventeenth session at Cartagena, on the progress of the restoration work at this site inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Delegate of Oman had 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, mainly being carried out 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.

Therefore, the Director of the Centre proposed to the Omani authorities that an expert mission be sent to the site to evaluate the working methods being used, the use of the US$50,000 approved by the Committee in 1989 and new alternatives to be considered.

This mission, financed by the Centre, could comprise an ICOMOS expert who had already evaluated the site in 1988 at the time of its inscription on the List, and, if necesary, a specialist in this specific architecture. This proposal was reiterated by the Director of the Centre in a letter addressed to the Minister of Culture and National Heritage of Oman, dated 31 March 1994.

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.

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.