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State of Conservation Chan Chan Archaeological ... 2014

Chan Chan Archaeological Zone

Peru
Factors affecting the property in 2014*
  • Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
  • Illegal activities
  • Management systems/ management plan
  • Water (rain/water table)
  • Other Threats:

    Continuous deterioration of earthen architecture structures and decorated surfaces from lack of conservation and maintenance practices

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Continuous deterioration of earthen architecture structures and decorated surfaces from lack of conservation and maintenance practices;
  • Illegal occupation of the property;
  • Unregulated farming activities;
  • Rising water table levels;
  • Delay in implementing protective measures (legislation and regulations already passed by the National Authorities).
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
  • Fragile state of conservation of earthen structures and decorated surfaces due to extreme climatic conditions (El Niño phenomena) and other environmental factors;
  • Inadequate management system in place;
  • Insufficient capacity and resources for the implementation of conservation measures;
  • Increase in the levels of the phreatic water table.
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4647

Corrective Measures for the property

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4647

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4647
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2014
Requests approved: 5 (from 1987-1998)
Total amount approved : 118,700 USD
1998 Master Plan for Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Approved)   8,700 USD
1997 Emergency assistance for the Archaeological Zone of ... (Approved)   50,000 USD
1997 Technical advice for the preparation of an Integral ... (Approved)   20,000 USD
1994 Regional and International Course on the Conservation ... (Approved)   20,000 USD
1987 Consultancy and equipment for the safeguarding of Chan ... (Approved)   20,000 USD
Missions to the property until 2014**

1997: ICOMOS mission; February 2007: Joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS and ICCROM mission; November 2010: Joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission.

2014 Report on the Joint UNESCO-WHC / ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission to Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru) (C 366) ...
2007 Report on the Joint Unesco – ICOMOS – ICCROM Reactive Monitoring Mission to the Archaeological Zone of Chan Chan, ...
2002 WHC Mission Report, Chan Chan Archaeological Zone
1997 ICOMOS Expert Mission Report, Chan Chan Archaeological Zone
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2014

The State Party submitted a state of conservation report on 6 January 2014, which is available at the following address: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/366/documents.  Progress on the implementation of the corrective measures is reported as follows:

  • Management system: the Special Project for Chan Chan, in close collaboration with the regional, provincial and district governments, continues to manage the property with secured funding from the Peruvian State. The participatory update of the management plan is almost finalised and will be integrated with other planning tools at the municipal and provincial level, along with the regulatory measures for the buffer zone, which will also be adopted by the Municipality of Trujillo. The Pan-American Centre for the conservation of earthen cultural heritage is now operating and will undertake research to improve scientific and technical approaches to interventions.
  • Conservation and maintenance measures: public investment projects were implemented for archaeological research, conservation and maintenance at different palaces. Preventive measures, as the Guidelines for an Integral Plan for Risk Prevention that have been submitted for review, were also put in place. Drains were maintained to ensure efficiency of water removal systems. Weather stations have been set up and groundwater levels are actively monitored. A strategy is in development for decorated surfaces.
  • Legislative and regulatory measures: the multisector commission proposed regulations by Law 28261, which will address the issue of illegal occupations, continues with its approval process. Surveillance has continued to prevent invasion and expansion of agricultural areas.
  • Maintenance of physical delimitation of the site: the perimeter hedge fence has been maintained and solid waste management is controlled.
  • Public use: the public use plan will be finalised by March 2014 and will be integrated upon completion with other tourism planning tools drafted by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2014

It is noted that the State Party has systematically undertaken measures to address the state of conservation of the archaeological heritage and to improve the management system for the property. However, the earthen architecture remains will always be vulnerable to the effects of weathering and other decay factors, but with the measures currently in place these factors have been largely controlled. With the update of the management plan, its continued implementation, and the sustained functioning of the prescribed arrangements, as well as the secure funding provided by the State Party, conditions are in place to ensure that the vulnerable nature of the property is adequately and promptly handled.

The commitment of the State Party is considered to have led to considerable progress in meeting the Desired State of Conservation and the adopted corrective measures. The last remaining issues are important to ensure the long-term conservation and protection of the property. Therefore, the updating of the management plan encompassing integration with municipal planning tools and the final approval of regulatory measures require continuing cooperation with the State Party to ensure that these recommendations are finalised. 

As noted before, the property will remain vulnerable but after 27 years on the List of World Heritage in Danger, the State Party, through its sustained efforts, have put in place management and conservation mechanisms to ensure that deterioration factors and threats are addressed. In light of these considerations, it is recommended that the State Party invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission to the property with a view to assess whether the implementation of the remaining corrective measures may warrant the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2014
38 COM 7A.22
Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru) (C 366)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.38 adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
  3. Commends the State Party for its long-term commitment and efforts to address the deterioration of the earthen architecture remains of the property and to put in place a sustainable and operational management system to continue to handle decay factors and threats;
  4. Considers that the State Party has made considerable progress in meeting the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger and in the implementation of the corrective measures;
  5. Notes however that the corrective measures, which are currently in planning stages, have to be finalized to ensure the long-term protection of the property and urges the State Party to:
    1. Finalize the update process of the Management Plan and other planning tools for the property at the municipal and provincial level and provide an electronic and three printed copies of the draft revised planning tools for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies,
    2. Finalize the approval process of Law 28261 to ensure that the property is adequately protected from illegal occupation;
  6. Requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission to the property with a view to assess whether the implementation of the above-mentioned actions may warrant the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
  7. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
  8. Decides to retain Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru) on the the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Read more
38 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (retained sites)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC-14/38.COM/7A and WHC-14/38.COM/7A.Add),
  2. Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
  • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 38 COM 7A.14)
  • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 38 COM 7A.15)
  • Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 38 COM 7A.31)
  • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.34)
  • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 38 COM 7A.21)
  • Colombia, Los Katíos National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.32)
  • Côte d'Ivoire, Comoé National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.35)
  • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 38 COM 7A.36)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.37)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.38)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.39)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.40)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 38 COM 7A.41)
  • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 38 COM 7A.1)
  • Ethiopia, Simien National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.43)
  • Georgia, Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery (Decision 38 COM 7A.16)
  • Georgia, Historical Monuments of Mtskheta (Decision 38 COM 7A.17)
  • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 38 COM 7A.33)
  • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 38 COM 7A.28)
  • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 38 COM 7A.2)
  • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 38 COM 7A.3)
  • Jerusalem, Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (Decision 38 COM 7A.4)
  • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 38 COM 7A.44)
  • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 38 COM 7A.24)
  • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 38 COM 7A.25)
  • Niger, Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 38 COM 7A.45)
  • Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 38 COM 7A.5)
  • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 38 COM 7A.20)
  • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 38 COM 7A.22)
  • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.46)
  • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 38 COM 7A.18)
  • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 38 COM 7A.29)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
  • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 38 COM 7A.26)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 38 COM 7A.19)
  • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.30)
  • Venezuela, Coro and its Port (Decision 38 COM 7A.23)
  • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 38 COM 7A.13)
Read more
Draft Decision:    38 COM 7A.22

1.  Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,

2.  Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.38 adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),

3.  Commends the State Party for its long-term commitment and efforts to address the deterioration of the earthen architecture remains of the property and to put in place a sustainable and operational management system to continue to handle decay factors and threats;

4.  Considers that the State Party has made considerable progress in meeting the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger and in the implementation of the corrective measures;

5.  Notes however that the corrective measures, which are currently in planning stages, have to be finalized to ensure the long-term protection of the property and urges the State Party to:

a)  Finalize the update process of the Management Plan and other planning tools for the property at the municipal and provincial level and provide an electronic and three printed copies of the draft revised planning tools for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies,

b)  Finalize the approval process of Law 28261 to ensure that the property is adequately protected from illegal occupation;

6.  Requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission to the property with a view to assess whether the implementation of the above-mentioned actions may warrant the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;

7.  Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;

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

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Report year: 2014
Peru
Date of Inscription: 1986
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(iii)
Danger List (dates): 1986-present
Documents examined by the Committee
WHC-14/38.COM/7A
SOC Report by the State Party
Report (2014) .pdf
arrow_circle_right 38COM (2014)
Exports
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* : 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.


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