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State of Conservation Archaeological Site of ... 2023

Archaeological Site of Sabratha

Libya
Factors affecting the property in 2023*
  • Housing
  • Invasive/alien terrestrial species
  • Land conversion
  • Relative humidity
  • War
  • Other Threats:

    Excessive vegetation growth; Impact of humidity and seawater salt on stone masonry

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • 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
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

Not yet drafted

Corrective Measures for the property

Not yet identified

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures

Not yet identified

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2023

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.

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2023
Requests approved: 0
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2023**

June 2000: World Heritage Centre mission; March 2003: World Heritage Centre mission; January 2007: Joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission.

2007 Report on the Reactive Monitoring Mission to Archaeological sites of Sabratha and Leptis Magna, 18-28 January 2007
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/184/documents/. Works and studies performed at the property during the year 2021 and progress in a number of conservation issues addressed by the Committee at its previous sessions is presented, as follows:

  • Implementation of the second phase of the project supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) proceeded in March 2021. The project, which was carried out in cooperation with the Municipal Council of Sabratha, aimed at rehabilitating the area around the Roman Theatre. The work included the removal of the support blocks of the old metal fence as well as the old toilets building, clearing the area of the theatre and its surroundings from vegetation, replacement of the doors of backstage rooms, and restoration of the wooden floor of the stage. In addition, a new metal fence was installed (in some areas within the boundaries of the property), as well as new signage and new solar-powered lighting fixtures at the theatre and on the road leading to it, replacing the old fixtures;
  • Through online capacity-building activities, members of the team from the United Kingdom have remotely supported activities carried out by the Department of Antiquities (DoA) in relation to surveying, digital documentation and data collection;
  • A damage assessment study was carried out for the Roman Theatre, following the recommendations of the “Technical Meeting on World Heritage Sites in Libya”, which was held at the UNESCO Headquarters on 5 and 6 March 2020. Fieldwork was carried out between 25 October 2020 and mid-August 2021, through collaboration between the DoA, Durham University, and the University of the West of England, and funding by Gerda Henkel Stiftung. The report, which also includes full documentation of the theatre with 3D modelling and basic photogrammetry, was submitted to the World Heritage Centre in March 2022 and ICOMOS has carried out a technical review;
  • The State Party reiterates its invitation of a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to assess the state of conservation of the property and to provide advice.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2023

The State Party has extended its efforts to secure projects through various funding donors, including UNDP and Gerda Henkel Stiftung, and has been able to move forward with the implementation of some initiatives contributing to maintenance, renovation, and improved presentation of the site. In addition, activities comprised capacity building, documentation and assessment of damage resulting from armed conflict, which are all welcomed.

Regarding the project involving studies at the Roman Theatre, the report provides an excellent basis for further investigation. In line with the conclusions of ICOMOS’ technical review, it is recommended that the Committee encourage the State Party to ensure that further investigation be carried out onsite by an experienced stone conservator and a local structural engineer in order to determine, with the local site management and the DoA, the areas for direct intervention and a sustainable monitoring and conservation strategy for the property. It remains crucial that consultation is undertaken with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS concerning the technical specifications and materials for conservation/restoration works at the Roman Theatre and other archaeological remains at the property before implementation. It is also recommended that the State Party continues to inform the Committee about any plans for restoration or new construction projects that may have an impact on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property.

A comprehensive strategy for managing and conserving the property remains an urgent necessity and it is crucial that the State Party is strongly encouraged to elaborate a Management Plan and seek technical and financial support to this end.

It remains 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 conditions permit, to evaluate the state of conservation of the property. In the meantime, it is crucial that the State Party begins to develop the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and 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 the minor boundary modification proposal in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines. It is also recommended that the State Party launch consultations with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS concerning the development of the Retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (RSOUV) for examination by the World Heritage Committee.

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.35
Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Libya) (C 184)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.13 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
  3. Notes with appreciation the efforts undertaken by the State Party in securing projects and initiatives addressing a number of conservation issues and the improved presentation of the property;
  4. Requests the State Party to continue its efforts in this regard, 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 ongoing and future plans for major restoration or new construction projects that may affect the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
  5. Welcomes the outcomes of the damage assessment of the Roman Theatre and also encourages the State Party to carry out further investigation, involving an experienced stone conservator and a local structural engineer to determine, with the site management and the Department of Antiquities, the areas for direct intervention and a sustainable monitoring and conservation strategy for the property;
  6. Further encourages the State Party to continue to consult the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies with regard to restoration materials and techniques planned to be used at the Roman Theatre and the other archaeological remains at the property before their application;
  7. Reiterates its previous request to the State Party to initiate the process to develop 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. Further requests the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft Retrospective Statement of OUV, for examination by the World Heritage Committee;
  9. 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;
  10. Continues to encourage the State Party to pursue the development of a Management Plan for the property, and invites it to seek the necessary technical and financial support and allocate the resources required for its implementation;
  11. Continues to call for an increased mobilization by the international community to provide financial and technical support to the State Party, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
  12. Notes 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, and encourages it to take place as soon as conditions permit;
  13. Requests moreover 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 Sabratha (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.35

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.13, adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/Online, 2021);
  3. Notes with appreciation the efforts undertaken by the State Party in securing projects and initiatives addressing a number of conservation issues and the improved presentation of the property;
  4. Requests the State Party to continue its efforts in this regard, 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 ongoing and future plans for major restoration or new construction projects that may affect the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
  5. Welcomes the outcomes of the damage assessment of the Roman Theatre and also encourages the State Party to carry out further investigation, involving an experienced stone conservator and a local structural engineer to determine, with the site management and the Department of Antiquities, the areas for direct intervention and a sustainable monitoring and conservation strategy for the property;
  6. Further encourages the State Party to continue to consult the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies with regard to restoration materials and techniques planned to be used at the Roman Theatre and the other archaeological remains at the property before their application;
  7. Reiterates its previous request to the State Party to initiate the process to develop 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. Further requests the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft Retrospective Statement of OUV, for examination by the World Heritage Committee;
  9. 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;
  10. Continues to encourage the State Party to pursue the development of a Management Plan for the property, and invites it to seek the necessary technical and financial support and allocate the resources required for its implementation;
  11. Continues to call for an increased mobilization by the international community to provide financial and technical support to the State Party, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
  12. Notes 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, and encourages it to take place as soon as conditions permit;
  13. Requests moreover 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 Sabratha (Libya) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Previous 2021
Report year: 2023
Libya
Date of Inscription: 1982
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (iii)
Danger List (dates): 2016-present
Documents examined by the Committee
WHC/23/45.COM/7A
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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