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State of Conservation Archaeological Site of ... 2023

Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna

Libya
Factors affecting the property in 2023*
  • Desertification
  • Illegal activities
  • War
  • Other Threats:

    Deterioration of the stone masonry; Sand covering certain areas of the property; Graffiti and fires

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Illegal Activities
  • Desertification
  • Flooding (issue resolved)
  • Conflict situation
  • Deterioration of the stone masonry
  • Sand covering certain areas of the property
  • Graffiti and fires
  • Discharge of domestic wastewater at the west of the property (issue resolved)
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger

Conflict situation prevailing in the country

Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger

In progress

Corrective Measures for the property

In progress

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures

In progress

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2023

Total amount granted: USD 24,543 for the European Project “Protecting Cultural Heritage and Diversity in Complex Emergencies for Stability and Peace”.
June 2020: Netherlands Funds in Trust: USD 49,620 for Strengthening national capacities for the elaboration of corrective measures for Libyan World Heritage properties. 

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2023
Requests approved: 3 (from 1988-1990)
Total amount approved : 45,500 USD
1990 Mission to find solutions for the protection of Leptis ... (Approved)   17,500 USD
1989 Purchase of equipment to clear Leptis Magna site (Approved)   8,000 USD
1988 Purchase of equipment to clear Leptis Magna site after ... (Approved)   20,000 USD
Missions to the property until 2023**

1988: UNESCO mission; March 2003: World Heritage Centre mission; May 2006: World Heritage Centre mission; January 2007: World Heritage Centre Reactive Monitoring mission

2007 Report on the Reactive Monitoring Mission to Archaeological sites of Sabratha and Leptis Magna, 18-28 January 2007
1988 UNESCO Mission Report, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2023

On 3 February 2022, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, the executive summary of which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/183/documents/. Works performed at the property during 2021 and progress in a number of conservation issues addressed by the Committee at its previous sessions is presented, as follows:

  • Rows of trees have been planted as a potential windbreak along the paved road linking the main road and the amphitheatre;
  • In efforts to enhance security, a new metal fence was installed to the east of the site, in the “Barco Area”, and in place of the old fence adjacent to the port of the ancient city;
  • Works are in progress to construct an administrative building and a service building (toilets) in the amphitheater area;
  • The old roof of the warehouse building was replaced with a new one made of corrugated metal;
  • A channel to drain the sewage water collected in the area of the city fence to the west of the property was created;
  • The deteriorated elements of the wooden floor of the stage of the theatre were removed. Work is in progress to replace these elements;
  • Regular cleaning works have been conducted, including efforts to remove vegetation from the historic fabric;
  • Digital documentation works included the digital scanning of photos in the archives of the Leptis Magna office, as well as the registration cards of objects from the Leptis Magna Museum.

Besides the above-mentioned information, two main conservation issues have been highlighted:

  • The Hunting Baths appear to be in an alarming state of conservation and are under threat of collapse due to various factors, including sand pressure on the walls of the building and growth of vegetation. Its frescoes have seriously deteriorated due to the increased humidity. The monument needs an urgent intervention, and support from the international community has been requested in this regard. The Department of Antiquities (DoA) is currently studying several technical proposals and is aiming to prepare detailed intervention plans for the monument;
  • There is continuous tidal flooding and sea encroachment on the Circus, with sea waves reaching its north seating area, and, in high tide, it appears that the sea water pours into the race track.

The State Party reiterates its invitation for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to assess the state of conservation of the property.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2023

The State Party has been able to move forward with the implementation of several initiatives contributing to rehabilitation, maintenance, and preservation of the property, which is welcomed.

On the other hand, information provided by the State Party concerning the deteriorating state of the Hunting Baths is alarming. It is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to pursue the development of a conservation strategy for the Hunting Baths, with urgent conservation measures aiming to preserve and protect the monument, and to seek the necessary technical and financial support in this regard. Furthermore, it is important that the State Party continues to consult the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies with regard to restoration materials and techniques planned to be used at the Hunting Baths and other archaeological remains at the property before their application.

With regard to the issue of the tidal flooding and continuous sea encroachment on the circus area, it is recommended that the State Party develop technical proposals with mitigation measures to address the issue and present them to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies.

A comprehensive and holistic Conservation Action Plan, which would strategically address the pending conservation issues at the property appears to be a necessity. Moreover, it is important that the State Party be further encouraged to elaborate a Management Plan and seek technical and financial support to this end.

Between April and October 2021, four online technical meetings brought together the State Party, the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS, addressing the elaboration of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), supported through the World Heritage Fund and the Netherlands Funds in Trust project “Strengthening national capacities for the elaboration of corrective measures for Libyan World Heritage properties”. It is crucial that the State Party finalizes the development of the DSOCR, with a set of corrective measures, in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies.

Along the same line, it is recommended that the Committee encourage the State Party to continue consultations with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS concerning the definition of an appropriate buffer zone and submission of a Minor Boundary Modification proposal, in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines. It is also important that the State Party continues consultation with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS concerning the development and submission of the Retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (RSOUV) for examination by the World Heritage Committee.

It remains essential that the invited joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS mission requested by the Committee at its previous sessions be undertaken as soon as conditions permit, in order to evaluate the state of conservation of the property.

The Committee may wish to reiterate its call for increased mobilization of the international community to provide financial and technical support to the State Party to pursue urgent conservation activities.

Based on the above, it is recommended that the Committee retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2023
45 COM 7A.34
Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Libya) (C 183)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.12 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
  3. Notes with appreciation the efforts undertaken by the State Party to address the conservation of the property; and requests it to continue its efforts in this regard to the extent possible and to seek the necessary funds as needed;
  4. Also notes with great concern the alarming state of conservation of the Hunting Baths and also requests the State Party to:
    1. Pursue the development of a conservation strategy for the Hunting Baths, with urgent conservation measures aiming to preserve and protect the monument, and to seek the necessary technical and financial support in this regard,
    2. Present the proposed conservation plan for the Hunting Baths to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies,
    3. Continue to consult the Advisory Bodies with regard to restoration materials and techniques planned to be used at the Hunting Baths and the other archaeological remains at the property before their application;
  5. Further notes with concern the issue of tidal flooding and continuous sea encroachment on the circus area and further requests the State Party to develop proposals with mitigation measures to address the issue and to present the proposals to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
  6. Encourages the State Party to initiate the development of a comprehensive Conservation Action Plan for the property, and to pursue the development of a Management Plan, while seeking the necessary technical and financial support in this regard;
  7. Urges the State Party to finalize the process of development of a set of corrective measures and a timeframe for their implementation, as well as the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies;
  8. Requests furthermore the State Party to continue the close consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies for the elaboration of a Minor Boundary Modification proposal, and to submit it in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines;
  9. Requests moreover the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, to finalize the development of a draft Retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), and to submit it for examination by the World Heritage Committee;
  10. Reiterates its previous request to the State Party to keep the Committee informed on the evolution of the situation at the property and to inform it, through the World Heritage Centre, on any on-going and future plans for major restoration or new construction projects that may affect the OUV of the property, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
  11. Notes furthermore with appreciation the invitation by the State Party for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to the property to evaluate its state of conservation, to take place as soon as the conditions permit;
  12. Continues to call for an increased mobilization of the international community to provide financial and technical support to the State Party, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
  13. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session;
  14. Decides to retain Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Libya) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Read more
45 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/23/45.COM/7A, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.2, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.3, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.4),
  2. Having examined the recommendations of the Advisory Bodies, decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
  • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 45 COM 7A.51)
  • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 45 COM 7A.52)
  • Austria, Historic Centre of Vienna (Decision 45 COM 7A.55)
  • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 45 COM 7A.18)
  • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.3)
  • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.4)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.5)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.6)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.7)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.8)
  • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 45 COM 7A.26)
  • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.1)
  • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 45 COM 7A.15)
  • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 45 COM 7A.27)
  • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 45 COM 7A.28)
  • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 45 COM 7A.29)
  • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 45 COM 7A.31)
  • Kenya, Lake Turkana National Parks (Decision 45 COM 7A.10)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 45 COM 7A.33)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 45 COM 7A.34)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 45 COM 7A.35)
  • Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 45 COM 7A.36)
  • Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 45 COM 7A.37)
  • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 45 COM 7A.11)
  • Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 45 COM 7A.22)
  • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 45 COM 7A.23)
  • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 45 COM 7A.24)
  • Mexico, Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California (Decision 45 COM 7A.2)
  • Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 45 COM 7A.53)
  • Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 45 COM 7A.12)
  • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 45 COM 7A.39)
  • Palestine, Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town (Decision 45 COM 7A.38)
  • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 45 COM 7A.19)
  • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 45 COM 7A.20)
  • Romania, Roșia Montană Mining Landscape (Decision 45 COM 7A.56)
  • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.13)
  • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 45 COM 7A.57)
  • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 45 COM 7A.16)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 45 COM 7A.40)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 45 COM 7A.41)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 45 COM 7A.42)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 45 COM 7A.43)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 45COM 7A.44)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 45 COM 7A.45)
  • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.14)
  • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.17)
  • Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 45 COM 7A.54)
  • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 45 COM 7A.21)
  • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 45 COM 7A.47)
  • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 45 COM 7A.49)
  • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 45 COM 7A.50)
3.    Recalls that the following properties were inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger at its 18th extraordinary session (UNESCO, 2023):
  • Lebanon, Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.1)
  • Ukraine, The Historic Centre of Odesa (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.2)
  • Yemen, Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.3)
Read more
Draft Decision: 45 COM 7A.34

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.12, adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/Online, 2021),
  3. Notes with appreciation the efforts undertaken by the State Party to address the conservation of the property; and requests it to continue its efforts in this regard to the extent possible and to seek the necessary funds as needed;
  4. Also notes with great concern the alarming state of conservation of the Hunting Baths and also requests the State Party to:
    1. Pursue the development of a conservation strategy for the Hunting Baths, with urgent conservation measures aiming to preserve and protect the monument, and to seek the necessary technical and financial support in this regard,
    2. Present the proposed conservation plan for the Hunting Baths to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies,
    3. Continue to consult the Advisory Bodies with regard to restoration materials and techniques planned to be used at the Hunting Baths and the other archaeological remains at the property before their application;
  5. Further notes with concern the issue of tidal flooding and continuous sea encroachment on the circus area and further requests the State Party to develop proposals with mitigation measures to address the issue and to present the proposals to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
  6. Encourages the State Party to initiate the development of a comprehensive Conservation Action Plan for the property, and to pursue the development of a Management Plan, while seeking the necessary technical and financial support in this regard;
  7. Urges the State Party to finalize the process of development of a set of corrective measures and a timeframe for their implementation, as well as the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies;
  8. Requests furthermore the State Party to continue the close consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies for the elaboration of a Minor Boundary Modification proposal, and to submit it in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines;
  9. Requests moreover the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, to finalize the development of a draft Retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), and to submit it for examination by the World Heritage Committee;
  10. Reiterates its previous request to the State Party to keep the Committee informed on the evolution of the situation at the property and to inform it, through the World Heritage Centre, on any on-going and future plans for major restoration or new construction projects that may affect the OUV of the property, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
  11. Notes furthermore with appreciation the invitation by the State Party for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to the property to evaluate its state of conservation, to take place as soon as the conditions permit;
  12. Continues to call for an increased mobilization of the international community to provide financial and technical support to the State Party, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
  13. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session;
  14. Decides to retain Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Libya) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Previous 2021
Report year: 2023
Libya
Date of Inscription: 1982
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(ii)(iii)
Danger List (dates): 2016-present
Documents examined by the Committee
WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add
SOC Report by the State Party
Report (2022) .pdf
Initialy proposed for examination in 2022
arrow_circle_right 45COM (2023)
Exports
Previous 2021

* : 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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