Site of Palmyra

Before the conflict:

• Temperature change (Serious weathering of many stone blocks due to capillary rising and variations in humidity and temperature)
• Housing (Urban growth of the neighbouring agglomeration)
• Ground transport infrastructure (International tarmac road crosses the site, heavy automobile and truck traffic inducing vibrations, pollution, and risk of accidents)
• Major linear utility (Pipeline crossing the southern necropolis)
• Localized utility (Brightly-coloured antenna on hill)
• Major visitor accommodation and associated infrastructure (Construction of a hotel close to the thermal springs)
• Management System/Management Plan (Lack of a management plan)

Since March 2011:

• Armed conflict (destruction due to the armed conflict since March 2011)
• Deliberate destruction of heritage (perilous condition of the portico of the Temple of Bel and the Triumphal Arch)
• Illegal activities (illegal excavations)
• Financial resources (lack of adequate funding for urgent conservation initiatives)

Destruction as well as ascertained and potential threats consequent to the armed conflict in Syria that started in March 2011.

Drafted; proposed for adoption in the draft Decision below

Drafted; proposed for adoption in the draft Decision below

Drafted; proposed for adoption in the draft Decision below

Total amount provided: USD 38,543 by the Flemish Government, USD 18,560 from the UNESCO Emergency Fund, USD 21,000 by the Government of the Netherlands

Total amount provided to the six Syrian World Heritage properties: 200,000 euros by the Italian Government; for built, movable and intangible heritage: 2.46 million euros by the European Union, USD 170,000 by the Flemish Government, 63,000 euros by the Austrian Government, USD 200,000 by the German Government; for cultural heritage under conflict: USD 200,000 by the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage in Bahrain.

On 11 January 2024, the State Party submitted state of conservation reports for the six Syrian World Heritage properties, which are available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/23/documents/, and include updated information on progress and challenges relating to some of the conservation issues at the property, as follows:

• Following the workshop ‘Visions and Methodologies for the Restoration and Reconstruction of the Arch of Triumph in Palmyra’ that took place in May 2023, and the submission of the project to the international scientific Task Force and the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, remote preparatory works have started with testing of certain conservation methods. This research phase aims at ensuring quality performances and swift action during the phase of dismantlement, consolidation and reassembly that will be carried out once high-precision equipment is in place;
• In July 2023, the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) in cooperation with the Russian Volunteer Expeditionary Corps started the restoration of the Theatre proscenium wall (pulpitum and scaenae frons). The first phase includes documenting stones and debris, systematically sorting debris and analysing the stability of the platform. The second phase will consist in undertaking restoration work while following international standards;
• In January 2024, the DGAM submitted a detailed list of identified attributes that convey Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), as part of the work carried out of the elaboration of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR).

The technical review carried out by ICOMOS for the proposed project for the restoration and reconstruction of the Triumphal Arch highlighted the exemplary background documentation and impact analysis that has been submitted. It supported the justification of the proposed restoration of this monument, in scientific terms and in relation to the potential impact on OUV. It is therefore recommended that the World Heritage Committee, while commending the documents provided, welcomes the implementation of the project that provides a model for other restoration works at the property, as well as at other archaeological sites in Syria. On 4 April 2024, the DGAM organized an online meeting to present to the international scientific Task Force the first results of the research phase.

Regarding the work initiated at the Theatre, it is important to recall that DGAM carried out previous restoration works at the Theatre between 1985 and 1990 and that these included the restoration of the pulpitum and of the scaenae frons and its 35 columns bearing rich decorations. The current restoration project is addressing part of the same architectural features. It is recommended to request the State Party to provide further information on outcomes of the first phase of work on documentation and investigation and the proposed methodology for the second phase on restoration to indicate how this follows the model developed for the Triumphal Arch, before any implementation work commences, in compliance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines.

Two online meetings, organized on 13 December 2022 and 17 July 2023, as well as substantial follow up with the State Party, allowed to progress in the elaboration of the DSOCR, recommended for adoption in the draft Decision below.

Numerous documents including before/after images have been submitted in the process of developing a DSOCR, present the consolidation and restoration work undertaken at the property. It has also been underlined that the lack of sufficient financial and human resources limited progress in a number of issues, including documenting several destroyed or damaged attributes and initiating an integrated Conservation Management Plan. The documents also clarify that cooperation has been established by the DGAM with the Ministry of Tourism, the Governorate of Homs and the Municipality, in order to put in place a management system to control the implementation of urban and landscape protection regulations, the expansion of the contemporary city, and tourism infrastructure development, as well as strict traffic management measures within and around the site.

Given the previously reported extensive illicit excavation at the property, it is recommended that the Committee reiterate its appeal to the Member States of UNESCO to fulfil their obligations under international law, especially the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347 of March 2017.

Given the progress achieved at the property, the previously requested joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission is to be organized as soon as the situation allows.