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 of the Nile
• 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).

On the 29 January 2015, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/87/documents/. The report only addresses some of the recommendations made by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012) namely:

• The report provides some information on the restoration and conservation works carried out, consisting mainly of cleaning and maintenance works at Karnak Temple, Luxor and Medamoud Temple and Rams Road, as well as in the al-Qurna Archaeological area (Valley of the Kings).
• A number of ongoing excavation works are listed in the report, as well as the studies and excavations carried out by foreign missions.
• The State Party confirms that the factors affecting the property are encroachment and construction activities around the area of the property, general deterioration due to natural factors, such as bird droppings and vegetation. Medamoud Temple is reported to be affected by a ground water problem, lack of sanitation and lighting at the site. Further issues reported are exceeding constructions near Rams Road and general decay and neglect due to the lack of funds.
• No information has been provided concerning the overall management plan, although the report mentions a restoration and maintenance plan, listing the restoration and maintenance activities foreseen at Ramses III, the project for development and restoration of King Ramses II at Luxor and Tod Temple. Restoration works are reported to be outsourced to the American Research Centre and the German Mission.
• The State Party report lists a great number of development proposals relating to the improvement of the sites, upgrading of monuments, building of a visitor centre and a specialised museum near Rams Road. Further brief information includes the proposal for the removal of monuments from Medamoud Temple to Karnak Temple for the purpose of renovating the site. The report also mentions the organisation of a training programme to raise the capacities of archaeologists.

While the report provides a list of information concerning the ongoing and planned restoration and maintenance works at the property, no further details have been provided. It is not clear to what extent the activities listed constitute essential stabilisation works. No details have been provided on infra-structural projects, as requested by the Committee. Recalling the Committee’s previous recommendations and decisions, as well as previous reports highlighting the vulnerabilities of the property stemming from the lack of an integrated management plan, there is concern about the current situation.

Considering the lack of information provided concerning progress made toward the development of an integrated management plan and the seeming lack of a comprehensive policy for the property, it is considered that this constitutes a threat to the integrity of the property.  In addition, while no further information is available concerning the encroachments and construction activities mentioned in the report and highlighted in previous state of conservation reports, it is recommended that the Committee reiterate its request to the State Party, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, to provide detailed information on the planning and design of proposed and on-going projects, in particular those related to infrastructure development, for review prior to implementation.

Furthermore, due to the lack of detailed information and in view of the above mentioned concerns, it is recommended that the World Heritage Committee request the State Party to invite a Reactive Monitoring mission to the property to consider these and assist the State Party in elaborating the terms of reference for the development of an integrated management plan.