Hatra

• Deliberate destruction of heritage
• Armed conflict
• Illegal activities
• Major looting of Iraqi archaeological sites (resolved at Hatra)

Destruction and damage due to the armed conflict

Proposed and adopted by the World Heritage Committee in its Decision 45 COM 7A.28

Adopted by the World Heritage Committee, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/8158 and https://whc.unesco.org/document/199649 

Total amount granted (for all World Heritage Sites of Iraq):

• USD 6,000 from the Italian Funds-in-Trust
• USD 1.5 million by the Government of Japan (for cultural heritage, including World Heritage)
• USD 154,000 by the Government of Norway (for cultural heritage, including World Heritage)
• EUR 300,000 by the Government of Italy (for cultural heritage, including World Heritage)
• USD 35,000 by the Government of the Netherlands (for cultural heritage, including World Heritage)
• USD 100 000 Heritage Emergency Fund - support for Iraqi World Heritage properties
• USD 35,782 from the Netherlands Funds-in-Trust (for Strengthening capacities in state of conservation reporting on properties inscribed on the list of World Heritage in Danger)
• USD 50,000 from the Netherlands Funds-in-Trust (Strengthening capacities for the documentation and conservation of Properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger in Iraq)

On 30 January 2024, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/277/documents/. Progress in conservation issues addressed by the Committee at its previous sessions is presented in this report, as follows:

• Investigations have concluded that there is no change in the water level of wells throughout the year, which is more than 15m deep from the surface. Therefore, groundwater does not affect the foundations of the Temenos buildings. Consultation with the Ministry of Water Resources reported there is no groundwater, but that surface water fluctuates based on the amount of rainfall;
• Work on the conservation plan will be pursued once funding is available in the framework of the project, supported by the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH), and implemented in cooperation with the International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies (ISMEO);
• Documentation of the Hatra property has been undertaken in the framework of the above-mentioned project. There is a Documentation Division in the World Heritage Department of the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH), which relies on the documentation provided by the Investigation Unit of the Nineveh Antiquities and Heritage Inspectorate;
• SBAH staff have participated in capacity-building activities implemented by ISMEO and UNESCO. UNESCO also provided support in terms of equipment, such as computers, laptops and printers;
• There is no illegal access, encroachment or recorded violations, in the area between the inner and outer city walls, which is fully protected;
• A BRC fence (‘roll top mesh fence’) has been installed along the inner city wall, in the place of a previous fence. The property is currently fully protected, with only one entrance, and security forces to ensure safety. No concrete was used for installing the fence, which is removable, and currently there are no violations at the property. The parking area close to the Temenos will be closed and no cars will be allowed;
• A comprehensive Management Plan will be prepared in cooperation with partners and exchanges with the World Heritage Centre;
• The State Party report was accompanied by a previously submitted report from September 2022: ‘First Aid Interventions to the WHS of Hatra after DAESH Occupation’, which reports about the activities in the Temenos area;
• The State Party has provided a description and plan of the property boundary and presented a rationale for the proposed designation of a 100m buffer zone surrounding the property, requesting recommendations in this regard.

The State Party has addressed elements of Decision 45 COM 7A.28, the recommendations of the 2023 Reactive Monitoring mission, and the implementation of the corrective measures to achieve the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR). However, the State Party is yet to initiate the preparation of a site Management Plan that includes consideration requirements related to management and conservation, and a Visitor Management Plan.

Several corrective measures have already been completed, particularly in relation to reinstating the management of the property by SBAH and ensuring protection and accessibility; enhancing capacities; undertaking documentation and studies; and the repair of damage incurred as a result of the conflict. Corrective measures not yet undertaken include the installation of cameras to reinforce site security, and, completing the temporary transport of archaeological finds to be photographed and catalogued, as well as ensuring their adequate storage and protection.

Other corrective measures that are yet to be pursued relate to assessing risks at monuments indirectly impacted by the conflict and undertaking urgent stabilisation work. These comprise diagnostic studies and planning for restoration works at the Temples of Samya, the Triad, and Allat; undertaking priority interventions at the Temples of Shahiru and Allat; and the preparation of a Conservation Plan for the central Temenos. The Committee may wish to encourage the State Party to pursue the implementation and finalisation of these corrective measures as a priority.

The Committee may also wish to remind the State Party of its obligation to submit to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, detailed information on all projects, including major conservation works, that may have an impact on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property before making any decision that would be difficult to reverse, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, and that for major projects, the information should include Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) prepared in accordance with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in the World Heritage Context.

Several recommendations of the 2023 mission have also been addressed, including undertaking investigations related to the water table, which concluded that it is more than 15m deep, and does not affect the foundations of the Temenos buildings, and that observed surface water is related to rainfall. With regard to assessing potential threats in the area situated between the inner and outer walls of the property, the State Party has reported that there are no illegal access, encroachment nor recorded violations. Nevertheless, it would be important to provide further information regarding any other potential threats, such as those that may be related to archaeological remains. While the State Party has reported continuous work on documentation, it remains necessary to ensure that all relevant documentation and historical data concerning the property are adequately stored, managed, and available for use in monitoring and conservation of the property, as previously requested in Decision 45 COM 7A.28.

The Committee may wish to acknowledge with appreciation the efforts undertaken by the State Party, and encourage further implementation of the recommended actions, particularly preparation of a site management plan; selecting pilot interventions upon completing the Conservation Plan for the Temenos area, and monitoring such interventions over time to assess their efficacy; elaborating a monitoring programme and training staff to implement it; providing further information concerning potential threats in the area situated between the inner and outer city walls; and preparing a strategy and allocating resources for documentation management.

The State Party has consulted the World Heritage Centre concerning the submission of a boundary clarification. The Committee may wish to encourage the State Party to pursue consultation regarding the elaboration of a Minor Boundary Modification proposal, for the creation of a buffer zone as an added layer of protection to the property, in conformity with paragraphs 163-164 and Annex 11 of the Operational Guidelines.