Archaeological Site of Sabratha

• Invasive/alien terrestrial species
• Land conversion
• Conflict situation prevailing in the country
• Excessive vegetation growth
• Natural degradation
• Urban encroachment
• Local conditions affecting the physical fabric: Impact of humidity and seawater salt on stone masonry

Not yet drafted

Not yet identified

Not yet identified

Total amount granted: June 2020: Netherlands Funds in Trust: USD 49,620 for Strengthening national capacities for the elaboration of corrective measures for Libyan World Heritage properties.

On 6 February 2020, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, an updated version of which was submitted on 11 February 2021. Executive summaries of both reports are available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/184/documents/. Progress in a number of conservation issues addressed by the Committee at its previous session is presented, as follows:

• The Department of Antiquities (DoA) has continued working with the civil society and no violations were registered;
• In 2019, a committee was established, as per Government Decision 155/2019, for the Management and Implementation of the Strategy for Preservation and Conservation of World Heritage properties in Libya;
• The main threats to the property are environmental factors that lead to the degradation of the monuments due to the nature of the building materials;
• Substantial funding and technical support are required, and the DoA is in the process of securing both;
• Efforts are being made to control vegetation growth and limit damage to the floor mosaics and monuments. Studies to identify the types of plants to determine the extent of damage were elaborated. A plan is underway for direct control mechanisms. Other conservation, stabilization, and maintenance works were undertaken;
• Nanotechnology is being considered as a possibility to reduce the effects of weathering and sand drift, other modern technologies are being used to assess the condition of the property;
• A damage assessment report was prepared for the Roman Theatre, indicating damage at several locations due to armed conflict (minor damage from small arms), the most prominent of which is the visual scarring of some parts. A more detailed and specialized study to plan and implement the restoration is currently being undertaken;
• In coordination with the Municipality of Sabratha and the United Nations Development Program in Libya (UNDP), a project for restoration and maintenance works has been initiated. It mainly focuses on the modern facilities at the site, and includes restoration works at the Roman Theatre, which will be carried out by specialized staff of the DoA in coordination with the UNDP;
• A contract has been established to implement the first phase of the 660-metre protection fence, once funding has been secured by the Government of National Accord of Libya;
• In the framework of the “Training for Action” programme, training activities were carried out for archaeologists, focusing on recording and management, and for the Tourism Police and the Antiquities Protection Authority, on awareness-raising and cultural heritage protection;
• A minor boundary modification proposal has been submitted and an agreement between DoA and local authorities was signed to protect the buffer zone of the property and regulate urban development in the area;
• The identification of priorities for the elaboration of the management plan has started;
• The COVID-19 Pandemic, lack of resources and frequent electricity cuts have had a negative impact on the works in the property.

The State Party confirms its intention to call on the international community to provide further financial and technical support for the conservation of cultural heritage, including through the Heritage Emergency Fund of UNESCO. The State Party considered the March 2020 technical meeting with ICOMOS and the World Heritage Centre successful as it enabled direct discussion and consultation. It has indicated its willingness to start the drafting of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR).

The State Party considers that the property is not facing any specific ascertained danger and is considered to be stable in both security and administrative terms. Therefore, it requests the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger and has extended an invitation for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to assess the property’s state of conservation.

A comprehensive strategy for managing and conserving the property is necessary to address not only the impact of armed conflict, but also vegetation growth and environmental factors. The ongoing steps for the elaboration of a Management Plan are crucial, and it is therefore recommended that the Committee call on the international community to ensure technical and financial support.

The State Party has made important efforts to secure funding from different donors despite the difficulties and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the International Alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas (ALIPH) and the UNDP, for the conservation of Libyan World Heritage properties. It is recommended that the Committee welcome these efforts and projects undertaken for capacity building, maintenance, vegetation control and protection. However, the reported use of white cement in the conservation intervention at the Roman Theatre is an inappropriate material for restoration of ancient buildings, and it is recommended that the Committee request that technical specifications and materials for conservation/restoration works at the Roman Theatre and archaeological vestiges are discussed in detail with ICOMOS before being applied.

The World Heritage Centre organized a meeting in Paris in March 2020 to address the elaboration of a DSOCR and related corrective measures, boundary modifications and the Tentative List. Participants comprised the State Party, ICOMOS, the UNESCO Rabat Office, and the World Heritage Centre. Discussions also focused on restoration works at the Roman Theatre, and technical advice was provided on the continuation of activities and damage assessment.

Given the current prevailing situation and funding needs, the DoA has decided to focus on urgent preventive actions at the Roman Theatre with the aim of securing the building and limiting damage, as well as ensuring the safety of visitors.

The improvement of the security situation may provide the State Party with more means to undertake the necessary actions for the conservation and protection of the property. It is recommended that the State Party continue its important efforts in line with the Action Plan that was developed during the International Meeting on the Safeguarding of Libyan Cultural Heritage, held in Tunis in May 2016 (report available at: http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/1496). It is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to provide information on progress made in the implementation of this Action Plan.

The submitted draft minor boundary modification proposal is recognized as an indispensable step towards the effective protection and management of the property. The ongoing close consultation with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS concerning the definition of an appropriate buffer zone is appreciated. It is recommended that the Committee encourage the State Party to continue this cooperation, and to submit the proposal in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines.

It is essential that the joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS mission invited by the State Party and requested by the Committee at its previous sessions is undertaken as soon as security conditions permit, in order to evaluate the state of conservation of the property. In the meantime, it is important that the State Party develops the DSOCR and a set of corrective measures, in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies.

It is recommended that the State Party keeps the Committee updated on the situation at the property and on its activities, including the restoration of the Roman Theatre and any plans for major restoration or new construction projects that may affect the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property. 

It is therefore recommended that the Committee retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.