Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis

• Raise of the underground water level;
• Risks of flooding (Valleys of Kings and Queens);
• Absence of a comprehensive Management Plan;
• Major infrastructure and development projects taking place or scheduled;
• Uncontrolled urban development;
• Housing and agricultural encroachment on the West Bank;
• Demolitions in the villages of Gurna on the West Bank of the Nile and transfer of the population.

Total amount granted: USD 1,131,000from the Japanese Funds-in-Trust 2002-2004 and 2008 (wall paintings restoration in the tomb of Amenophis III).

A report on the state of conservation of the property was sent by the State party on 20 February 2013 as requested by the World Heritage Committee.

a)  Management plan

The State Party indicated that the process for developing a management Plan for the property has started with the creation of the National Committee for World Heritage sites management, through Ministerial Decree 19. It is expected that the Committee will define and enforce, through participatory processes, diverse strategies to ensure effective management systems for World Heritage sites in Egypt. In addition, it is expected that Geographical Information System (GIS) will be utilised for the archaeological surveying of all sites to process geographic data and produce integrated maps that will be readily available to all stakeholders. Capacity building is also anticipated for archaeologists and conservators working at these sites. No specific timeframe is provided for the finalisation of the management plan.

b)  Implementation of conservation projects at the property

The State Party provided a list of several maintenance and development projects that have been implemented between 2011 and 2012. These have included projects such as reduction of groundwater levels beneath the temples, the removal of modern encroachments and houses which will result in the expansion of the buffer zone, capacity building for archaeologists and conservators through the training field school in Luxor, archaeological research, the development of storage facilities and moving of collections, etc.

The report also provides a list of actions foreseen for 2013, including the Reservation project of Luxor and Karnak temples, the restoration project for the Khnosu Temple, the road lighting project, among others, on the Eastern Bank. For the Western Bank, the development of the Valley of the Queens, in collaboration with the Getty Conservation Institute is foreseen, as well as the restoration and development works as several temples and tombs. Excavation works are expected to continue at both banks throughout 2013. No additional information was provided on the projects foreseen for the Corniche or the landing stage for cruise boats on the Western Bank.

The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies note that several infrastructure projects, such as the construction of new entrances, parking lots, and the construction of a visitor centre on the Eastern bank, were implemented without having submitted their technical specifications for review prior to their implementation. They would underscore the significance of informing about potential developments and providing technical details to ensure that the conditions of integrity continue to be met and that the Outstanding Universal Value of the property is not compromised. Although they recognise the importance of continuing archaeological research and conservation work at the property, they note that these activities continue to be implemented without a management plan that would not only integrate all components of the property but that would also provide policy frameworks and guidance for all interventions.