Inventario de arquitectura de la tierra UNESCO 2012 - ARQ Libros.pdf

7/26/2019 Inventario de arquitectura de la tierra UNESCO 2012 - ARQ Libros.pdf

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2012WHEAPWORLD HERITAGE EARTHENARCHITECTURE PROGRAMME

Inventory ofearthen

architecture

WORLD HERITAGE

Conventiondu patrimoine

mondial

World

Heritage

Convention

Organisationdes Nations Unies

pour lducation,

la science et la culture

United Nations

Educational, Scientific and

Cultural Organization


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WHEAPWORLD HERITAGE EARTHENARCHITECTUREPROGRAMME

Inventory ofearthen

architecture

WORLD HERITAGE

Conventiondu patrimoine

mondial

World

HeritageConvention

Organisationdes Nations Unies

pour lducation,


United Nations

Educational, Scientific andCultural Organization

2012


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ISBN: 978-2-906901-70-4 - CRATerre-ENSAG - april 2012 02


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AUTHORS, CONTRIBUTIONS& ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This document has been prepared by CRAterre-ENSAGDavid Gandreau & Leticia Delboy

Edited byThierry Joffroy

With contributions byLorna Abungu, Christian Belinga, Elose Charles-Julie-Post,

Yann Damiani, Dsire de Antoni, Hubert Guillaud, SoheilHajmirbaba, Terry Little, Sbastien Moriset & Etienne Samin

Graphic designArnaud Misse & Alba Rivero Aedo

This study has been undertaken with contributions by allthe partners of the World Heritage Earthen ArchitectureProgramme:. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. CRAterre. ICOMOS / ISCEAH. ICCROM. EPA. CHDA. CERKAS

It has also benefited from the effective contributions ofall World Heritage property managers who filled out andreturned the questionnaires sent to them.

Special thanks for their financial support go to:The French Ministry of Culture and Communication under theFrance-UNESCO Cooperation AgreementENSAG and Labex AE&CC

We want to more specifically thank:Mr. Francesco Bandarin, Assistant Director-General for Culture,UNESCO

Mr. Kishore Rao, Director of World Heritage Centre, UNESCOMr. Lazare Eloundou, Head of the Africa Unit, World HeritageCentre, UNESCO, responsible for WHEAPThe Heads of Regional and Special Projects Units at the WorldHeritage Centre,Ms. Vronique Dauge, Mr. Feng Jing, Ms. Petya Totcharova,Ms. Nuria Sanz, Mr. Guy Debonnet,Ms. Jana Weydt, coordinator of the dossier at the WorldHeritage Centre,The Department for European and International Affairs at theDirection Gnrale des Patrimoines, Ministry of Culture andCommunication, France-UNESCO Cooperation Agreement, Mr.Bruno Favel, Ms. Vronique Dez and Ms. Caroline GaultierKurhan,Mr. Jean Michel Knop, Director of ENSAGMr. Majid Hajmirbaba, Ms. Marina Trappeniers and Ms.Bakonirina Rakotomamonjy, CRAterre-ENSAG,Mr. Sayed Khalili and Mr. Mohamad Al Jawar, ENSAG,

03

Convention

du patrimoine

mondial

World

Heritage

Convention

Organisation

des Nations Unies

pour lducation,


United Nations

Educational, Scientific and

Cultural Organization

Convention France-UNESCOpour le patrimoine


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04


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Contents IntroductionMethodology & unfolding

Results & analysis

Earthen architecture in the Worldlist of properties, map & statistics

Results by region

>> REGION AfricaStatistics & map

inventory

>> REGION Arab StatesStatistics & map

inventory

>> REGION Asia & the PacificStatistics & map

inventory

>> REGION Europe & North AmericaStatistics & map

inventory

>> REGION Latin America & the Caribbean

Statistics & mapinventory

AppendixesPre-inventory of properties built with earth

inscribed on the tentative listsPhoto credits

Questionnaires returned by site managers

05

060710

19

2728

30

474850

777880

133134136

157

158160

201

202204

206


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Background

In 2007, an initial list of 106 properties built with earthand inscribed on the World Heritage List was made.

In 2010, this first list was updated by reviewing all theproperties on the List. This was done by identifying, foreach property, the presence or absence of earth materi-als, based on information available online, mainly onthe WHC website, and through documentation available

at CRAterre. Thus, a list comprising 135 properties wasestablished, that would later be redefined.

In order to verify the information gathered, an investi-gation was launched in collaboration with the manag-ers of these sites. For the vast majority of sites, thedata could be checked and better defined. However,some of the data remained a bit too vague, which wasconfirmed through a cross-checking done by presenting

this preliminary inventory to various heritage expertsfrom the 5 major regions covered. In the meantime,several new properties were inscribed in the prestig-ious World Heritage List.

Necessary updates

With the aim to develop a more accurate document, animportant updating work was conducted in 2011 and2012, leading to the new inventory of 150 propertiesfor which the information on the structural elementsinvolved and the construction techniques used wasverified. This data is presented in this document with,for each site, a summary of its outstanding universalvalue, a brief description of the items actually made

from earth materials as well as the description of theconstruction technique(s) employed.

Information on the state of conservation of these sitesand the key issues as determined by site managers wasalso included. The amount of responses to the question-naires sent is not sufficient to obtain fully comprehen-sive data results at this point. However, the proportionof sites for which information has been collected allows

to get a fairly reliable overview of the current situa-tion and take stock of the priorities shared by propertymanagers, both worldwide and by geographic region(geographic division by UNESCO).

Methodology & unfoldingof the inventory project

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sustained efforts to strengthen the capacities of thestaff in charge of properties, in terms of equipment andqualification, while also recognizing that it would be

useful to reinforce the capacities of planning and man-agement professionals.In this perspective, the need to prepare or revisit themanagement plan of properties is also noted, almostsystematically.

Such exercises are also a good opportunity to improvesensitization efforts aimed at local populations, as wellas the legal protection, promotion and valorisation of

properties.

General evaluation and prioritiesEUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA

If we compare results in this region to world results, arather unsatisfactory situation is expressed, which wemay need to relativize by taking into account a differentperception of realities and higher expectations.

The state of conservation of properties is considered asinsufficient, which may be related to the lack of staff,but especially, and more specifically, to the lack ofknowledge and specialized personnel that could imple-

ment better adapted strategies and restoration tech-niques.

The contribution of properties to local developmentand their general usefulness are deemed as quite sat-isfactory, with a fairly good level of participation of thepopulations living in or near the site, and numerouseducational activities developed locally.

These properties, found to be authentic also deserveto be better documented which would also enable thedevelopment of more educational activities.

Priorities of action

In this region, the main need is the documentation ofthe properties considered (fully or partially). It is indeedlikely that in the majority of properties, earth has long

been considered a secondary element, with lesservalue, and that it still lacks recognition.

This is also reflected in terms of the need for the capac-ity building of professionals, which came in secondplace and applies to both the conservators and the

technical staff. Gaps were also notes concerning thetechnical means available (offices, equipment).

Work to fill gaps in existing management plans and toensure their revision is also expected. This would alsoallow to address promotion and valorisation needs thathave also been expressed.

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General evaluation and prioritiesLATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN

Great satisfaction is expressed regarding the authen-ticity, documentation and promotion of sites, togetherwith a proper use of sites for educational purposes.

There is also a generally good perception of manage-ment capacities and the implementation of adaptedstrategies, which may seem a bit contradictory with theappreciation of conservation results and the challengesfaced as conservation works lack sustainability, falling

below the world average.

The contradictions that emerge from these results arelargely due to the strong duality of sites present in LatinAmerica, urban settlements and historic archaeologicalsites, which face very different preservation and con-servation challenges.

Priorities of action

Latin American site managers express a strong need(54% of sites) for the establishment and revision ofmanagement plans, accompanied by a request, againwidely shared, to strengthen their own capacities(approximately 45%) both in terms of managementand operational conservation practices (craftsmen, localstakeholders).

Well aware of the trends and directions given at theinternational level, it is also quite widely recognized in

this region that the success of conservation works verymuch depends on the way they are presented to andshared with local populations, and so the need for sen-

sitization and awareness campaigns is also put forward(45%).The reinforcement of effective capacity building strate-gies is also perceived as necessary in more than onethird of the sites, and it is also hoped that working con-ditions can be improved (equipment).

Only in some cases, it is recognized that efforts shouldbe made to reinforce legal protection systems and to

improve the promotion and documentation of sites.

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Earthen architecture in the World,list of properties,

map and statistics

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01

02

03

04

05

06

07

0809

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

1718

19

20

2122

23

24

25

26

27

2829

3031

3233

34

35

3637

38

39

16

17

1819

MAP OF THE PROPERTIESBUILT WITH EARTH

GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS WHEREEARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IS PRESENT................................

PROPERTIES BUILT WITH EARTH INSCRIBEDON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST (150).............................

REGIONS

1 AFRICA (15 properties)..................................................

2 ARAB STATES (26 properties).......................................

3 ASIA & THE PACIFIC (51 properties)............................

4 EUROPE & NORTH AMERICA (19 properties)............

5 LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN (39 properties)

22

12

15


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01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

1314

15

02

0304

05

05

06

06

07

07

08

0809

09

10

10

11

11

12

12

14

14

15

16

17

18

19

2022

23

24

1513

13

16

17

18

19

20

21 22

23

2425 26

01

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

02

03

04

01 2526

2728

29

30

31

32

333435

3637

38

39

4041

42

43

45

4647

44

48

49

50

5109

101112

13

14

15

23


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CuturalMixed

Type of site

Type of earth construction

Criteria

Periods

Type

Position of earth

Proportion of earth on site

Archaeological siteRock-art sites

Historic buildings

Historic ensemblesUrban settlementsRural settlements

Vernacular architectureReligious properties

Agricultural, industrial and technological propertiesMilitary properties

Cultural landscapes, parks and gardensCultural routes

Burial monuments and sitesSymbolic properties and memorials

Rammed earth (compacted earth)Adobe (bricks made with raw earth)

Wattle and daub (earth and vegetal structure)Cob (shaped earth)

Other

WallsFloors

Ceilings and/or roofsMortars

Interior decorationsExterior decorations

Other

0 to 25% earth25 to 50% earth50 to 75% earth75 to 100% earth

StatisticsWorld

TYPES ANDCONSTRUCTION MODES150 PROPERTIES

BCAD

24

98,5%

1,5%

(l)(ll)(lll)(lV)(V)

(Vl)(Vll)(Vlll)

22%

52%

55%

76%

24%

27%

0%

0%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

43%

42%

5%

4%

17%

5%

37%

27%

21%

47%

35%

13%

14%

8%

20%

50%

24%

6%

39%

75%

30%

42%

50%

27%

28%

11%

16%

84%

24%

23%

24%

29%


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Use

Ownership

Site management

Management plan

Maintenance

Not in use anymoreLiving heritage

Used as originallyNew

TraditionalInstitutionally planned

No maintenance mechanism

YesNo

In preparation

TraditionalInstitutional

Local

RegionalNational

PrivateGovernmental

Degradation speed

Natural erosionWeather changes

PollutionDevelopment of infrastructures

Lack of respect of the value of heritageLack of capacities to manage the site

Lack of technical or financial meansVandalism, theft and other illegal activities

Need to adapt to modern needs

Change of status of the ownersAbandonment

Current levelof satisfaction

Heritage site documentationAuthenticity

General state of conservation of earthen structuresDurability of conservation works carried out

Promotion and valorisation of the siteEfficiency of site management strategies

Efficiency of legal frameworkEfficiency of institutional framework at a National level

Logistic and technical means for the siteStaff number

Skills of managerial staffSkills of technical staff

Involvementc/support of local decision makersEducational activities at the site

Participation of local populationsContribution to local development

SlowProgressive

FastStabilised

Site documentationTo reinforce the legal frameworkTo update the management plan

To reinforce the capacities of site managersTo reinforce the skills of site workers

To preserve the earthen structuresTo improve the facilities

Sensitization of local populationsPromotion and valorisation activities

Other

StatisticsWorld

ANALYSISOF QUESTIONNAIRES

78 RESPONSES /150 PROPERTIES

CURRENTSITUATION OFPROPERTIES

THREATS

MAP OF PROPERTIES

BUILT WITH EARTH150 properties

Type of threats

Priorities for action

PRIORITIES

25

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

13%

60%

19%

30%

33%

60%

17%

58%

17%

25%

8%

50%

25%

16%

61%

30%

70%

47%

9%

22%

37%

17%

34%

24%

18%

8%

13%7%

67%

87%

62%

65%

53%

55%

53%

62%

43%

39%

53%

58%

50%

50%

53%61%

35%

27%

13%

25%

25%

27%

36%

40%

28%

34%

32%

29%

17%

8%


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Results

by region

26


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>> REGION

Africa

27

St ti ti


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01

0203

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

1314

15

Type of site


Position of earth



Historic buildings

Historic ensemblesUrban settlementsRural settlements







Other

WallsFloors

Ceilings and/or roofsMortars

Interior decorationsExterior decorations

Other

0 to 25% earth25 to 50% earth

50 to 75% earth75 to 100% earth

BCAD

StatisticsAfrica

TYPES ANDCONSTRUCTION MODES15 PROPERTIESA

fric

a

Criteria

Periods

Type

CuturalMixed

28

100%

0%

(l)(ll)(lll)(lV)(V)

(Vl)(Vll)(Vlll)

12%

55%

60%

65%

40%

30%

0%

0%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

43%

14%

0%

14%

21%

0%

57%

57%

57%

50%

43%

7%

36%

21%

0%

46%

28%

20%

33%

73%

60%

50%

60%

40%

53%

7%

0%

100%

10%

20%

20%

40%

Statistics


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Use

Ownership

Site management

Management plan

Maintenance

Not in use anymoreLiving heritage

Used as originallyNew

TraditionalInstitutionally planned

No maintenance mechanism

YesNo

In preparation

TraditionalInstitutional

Local

RegionalNational

PrivateGovernmental

Degradation speed

Type of threats

Natural erosionWeather changes

PollutionDevelopment of infrastructures

Lack of respect of the value of heritageLack of capacities to manage the site

Lack of technical or financial meansVandalism, theft and other illegal activities

Need to adapt to modern needs

Change of status of the ownersAbandonment

Current levelof satisfaction

Heritage site documentationAuthenticity

General state of conservation of earthen structuresDurability of conservation works carried out

Promotion and valorisation of the siteEfficiency of site management strategies

Efficiency of legal frameworkEfficiency of institutional framework at a National level

Logistic and technical means for the siteStaff number

Skills of managerial staffSkills of technical staff

Involvementc/support of local decision makersEducational activities at the site

Participation of local populationsContribution to local development

SlowProgressive

FastStabilised

Site documentationTo reinforce the legal frameworkTo update the management plan

To reinforce the capacities of site managersTo reinforce the skills of site workers

To preserve the earthen structuresTo improve the facilities

Sensitization of local populationsPromotion and valorisation activities

Other

Priorities for action

BENIN: Royal Palaces of AbomeyBURKINA FASO: Ruins of LoropniETHIOPIA: Harar Jugol, the fortified historic townETHIOPIA: LalibelaGHANA: Asante Traditional BuildingsMADAGASCAR: Royal Hill of AmbohimangaMALI: Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons)MALI: Old Towns of DjennMALI: TimbuktuMALI: Tomb of AskiaMOZAMBIQUE: Island of MozambiqueNIGERIA: Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove

NIGERIA: Sukur Cultural landscapeTOGO: Koutammakou, the Land of the BatammaribaUGANDA: Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi

010203

040506070809101112

131415

StatisticsAfrica

ANALYSISOF QUESTIONNAIRES

13 RESPONSES/15 PROPERTIES Afric

a

CURRENTSITUATION OFPROPERTIES

THREATS

PRIORITIES

29

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

7%

71%

14%

21%

50%

50%

20%

58%

17%

25%

21%

71%

29%

21%

50%

29%

71%

44%

0%

23%

54%

12%

40%

31%

17%

8%

12%2%

43%

86%

64%79%

21%

36%

36%

57%

7%

14%

50%

50%

50%

21%

50%

14%

40%

40%

0%

20%

50%

30%

30%

25%

40%

22%

37%

30%

13%

7%

323BISB li f i id b ll


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The buildings and walls of the Royal Palaces of Abomey are earthenconstructions (cob). The main buildings are decorated with the famous

bas-reliefs, moulded and painted from specially selected earth, whichtell the history of the kingdom.

(iii) The Royal Palaces of Abomey are a groupof monuments of great historical and cultu-ral value because of the conditions that led totheir construction and the events they havewitnessed. They are the living expression of aculture and an organized authority testimonyto the glorious past of the kings who ruled theKingdom of Dahomey from 1620 to 1900.

(iv) Organized as a series of courtyards of

increasing importance, the access to each beingprovided by portals built astride the walls of themain enclosure, the Royal Palaces of Abomey area unique architectural ensemble. These complexfortified structures illustrate the ingenuity deve-loped by the royal power, from the mid-17thcentury, to comply with the precept laid downby the founder of the Wegbaja Kingdom thatthe kingdom shall always be made greater.

>> CRITE RIA

BENINRoyal Palaces of Abomey

Main courtyard of the palace of King Guzo seenfrom the veranda of the Zinkpoho Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

Ceremonial and royal dance conservatory

rehearsal in Guezo palace Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

DATE OF INSCRIPTION ............................... 1985 (Ext. 2007)

GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES ....................................... N71060

......................................................................................... E15860

PROPERTY ...................................................................... ..... 48 ha

BUFFER ZONE ..................................................................181 ha

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ...........................1625 - 1900

Bas relief inside a cob wallPalace of King Guzo

Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

Afric

a

01

30

1225REVConservation of earth plaster covering


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A vast quadrangular enclosure measuring 105 x 106 metres and rising to6 metres high protects an abandoned settlement in ruins. The walls are

built of lateritic rubble stone masonry with a mud mortar. A coronationcob, built in layers up to 60 cm, locally called banco, is still well preservedin places. The walls are covered with a coating of earth, inside and out,with up to 5 layers.

(iii) Loropni is the best-preserved example ofa type of fortified settlements in a wide partof West Africa, linked to the tradition of goldmining, which seems to have existed throughat least seven centuries. Loropni, given its sizeand scope, reflects a type of structure quite dif-ferent from the walled towns of what is nowNigeria, or the cities of the upper reaches ofthe Niger River which flourished as part of theempires of Ghana, Mali and Songhai. It thus can

be seen as an exceptional testimony to a type ofsettlement generated by the gold trade.

>> CRITERIATear on west wall David Gandreau, CRAterre

South East side David Gandreau, CRAterre

BURKINA FASORuins of Loropni

DATE OF INSCRIPTION ....................................................... 2009

GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES ....................................... N10150

....................................................................................... W33460

PROPERTY ................................................................. 1,113 HA

BUFFER ZONE ............................................................. 278,4 HA

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION .............XIV - XIX century

Conservation of earth plaster coveringthe laterite blocks

David Gandreau, CRAterre

Afric

a

02

31


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18Houses around the famous rock-hewn churches are


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The traditional habitat of Lalibela consisted of tuluk, round houses builton two levels of stone masonry and mud mortar decorated inside with

an earthen plaster, and chika, single-level, round houses built of mud(wattle and daub). Although these traditional typologies are disappea-ring, 80% of dwellings around the famous rock-hewn churches are builtwith earth, in combination with stone or wood.

(i) The eleven churches selected represent aunique artistic achievement, for the size of theprogram and the variety and boldness of form.Like all masterpieces of architecture, it arousesthe wildest and most imaginative legends: acelestial model according to the Life of King Lali-bela, or the City of the Queen of Sheba, accor-ding to other sources.

(ii) King Lalibela intended to reconstitute a

symbolic Holy Land, to facilitate the pilgrimagewhich had been made impossible by historicalcircumstances. In the church of Beta Golgotha, are replicas of Christs tomb and the tomb ofAdam, and the manger of the Nativity. The HolyCity of Lalibela became a substitute for holyplaces in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and assuch, has had considerable influence on Ethio-pian Christianity.

(iii) The site of Lalibela offers an exceptionaltestimony to the civilization of medieval andpost-medieval Ethiopia by conserving, alongside

the eleven churches listed in the proposal, theextensive remains of traditional habitat - thecircular houses on two levels with interior stair-cases and thatch which are essential to protectand conserve in the same way as the rock ele-ments of religious architecture.

>> CRITERIA

ETHIOPIARock-Hewn Churches,

LalibelaA Tuluk is a round, two-level house, built ofstone and earth walls. The example aboveshows that the earthen plaster covering thewall is almost gone Ishanlosen Odiaua

built of stone walls made with earthenmortars and plasters

Ishanlosen Odiaua

DATE OF INSCRIPTION ........................................................1978

GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES .............................. N12 1 45.66

.............................................................................. E39 2 25.512PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ............ XIII - XXI century

Africa

04

33

35


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The Asante houses and temples are arranged around a central courtyard,whose walls are built of wattle and daub or cob. These walls are decora-

ted with bas-reliefs fashioned out of lateritic red clay for the lower partsand white kaolinitic clay for the upper parts. Their shapes are highlightedby a frame made of fine palm fronds.

To the north-east of Kumasi are found the lastmaterial remains of the great Asante civilization,which reached its high point in the 18th cen-tury. The majority of the Asante villages weredestroyed during the 19th century in the warsundertaken by the Asante against English domi-nation between 1806 and 1901. It was duringthis period that the royal mausoleum (Barem)

was burned by Baden-Powell in 1895. Todayonly a small number of the traditional structuresexists, habitats of men and gods, of which themajority are less than 100 years old.

>> CRITERIA : (V) Temple of Besease restored in 1999 Sbastien Moriset, CRAterre


GHANAAsante Traditional Buildings


GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES ..................................... N062404

...................................................................................... W013733PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ............XVIII - XX century

BRIEF DESCRIPTION :

Africa

05

34

950


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From the 17th century, the rulers of Madagascar established cultivationterraces to the north and to the south of the royal hill. Some parcels are,

as originally, still lined with cob walls (tamboho), while the main wall ismade of an earthen core covered with thick plaster. A typical habitat, cobor adobe, was developed later in the classified area.

(iii) The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is the mostsignificant symbol of the cultural identity of thepeople of Madagascar.

(iv) The traditional design, materials, and layoutof the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga are repre-sentative of the social and political structure ofMalagasy society from at least the 16th century.

(vi) The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is an excep-

tional example of a place where, over centuries,common human experience has been focusedin memory, ritual, and prayer.

>> CRITERIA

MADAGASCARRoyal Hill of Ambohimanga

Earth and stone fortified gate, giving

access to the sacred hill Sbastien Moriset, CRAterre


GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES .....................................N184533

.................................................................... .................. E473346

PROPERTY ...................................................................... ..... 59 ha

BUFFER ZONE ................................................................ .. 425 haPERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION .............XVI - XXI century

Village of Ambohimanga,at the foot of the hill Sbastien Moriset, CRAterre

Africa

06

35

516


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In a region characterized by the presence of the stone, it is surprisin-gly true that earthen material predominates construction in the Dogoncountry (...) Amongst the ancient constructions, there is practically not abuilding in which earthen material is absent.

Lassana Ciss, Director of the Cultural Mission of Bandiagara

It is true that in the Dogon country earth is present in various forms:adobe, mud mortar for the stone masonry, hand shaped earth for thegranaries, compacted earth for the floors and roofs, internal and externalplasters.

The Bandiagara site is an outstanding landscapeof cliffs and sandy plateau with some beautifularchitecture (houses, granaries, altars, sanctua-ries and Togu Na, or communal meeting-places).Several age-old social traditions live on in theregion (masks, feasts, rituals, and ceremoniesinvolving ancestor worship). The geological,archaeological and ethnological characteristics,

together with the landscape, make the Bandia-gara plateau one of West Africas most impres-sive sites.

>> CRITERIA : (V) (V I I ) Village of Banani Amou Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

MALICliff of Bandiagara


GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES ......................... N14 19 59.988

................................................................................W3 25 0.012

PROPERTY ............................................................. 327 390 haPERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION .............XIV - XXI century

Temple of Arou Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

Granaries in the village of Kani Kombol Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

BRIEF DESCRIPTION :

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The authenticity of the site, especially the ancient fabric which is classi-fied, asserts itself through the continued use of the same building mate-

rial for over a millennium: earth, used in the form of cylindrical bricks,shaped by hand (djenne ferey) and, since the early 20th century, in theform of adobe (toubabou ferey). The transmission of knowledge fromfather to son, specific to this method of construction, is provided by thebarey-ton, the corporation of masons.

(iii) Djenn-Djeno, along with Hambarke-tolo, Tonomba and Kaniana, bears exceptio-nal witness to the pre-Islamic civilizations onthe inland Delta of the Niger. The discovery ofmany dwellings on the site of Djenn-Djeno -remains of traditional brick structures (djnnferey), funerary jars - as well as a wealth ofterra cotta artifacts and metal make this amajor archaeological site for the study of theevolution of dwellings, technologies and crafts.

(iv) The ancient fabric of Djenn is an outstan-ding example of an architectural group of buil-dings illustrating a significant historic period.Influenced by Moroccan architecture (1591),and later marked by the Toucouleur Empire in1862, the architecture of Djenn is characte-rized by its verticality, its buttresses punctuatingthe faades of the two-storey houses whoseentrances are always given special attention.The reconstruction of the Mosque (1906-1907)

resulted in the creation of a monument repre-senting local religious architecture.

>> CRITERIA :

Old Towns of Djenn


GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES ..................................... N135423

..................................................................... ................. E043318

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ...............IIIcentury before

Christ - XXI century

MALI

Great Mosque of Djenn Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

Earten house in Djenn Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

Djenn, a city made of earth Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

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Originally, the mosques of Timbuktu were built of either alhore stone(soft stone of irregular shapes), or bricks shaped like loaves of bread,

laid with mud mortar. The adobe that is also present appeared laterin construction. Apart from the facades, which are covered with car-ved alhore stones, mosques are protected by a coating of earth that isrenewed every 3 to 4 years by the community.

(ii) The mosques and holy sites of Timbuktuhave played a vital role in spreading Islam inAfrica from a very early period.

(iv) The three great mosques of Timbuktu, res-tored by Cadi Al Aqila in the 16th century, testifyto the golden age of the intellectual and spiritualcapital at the end of the Askia dynasty.

(v) Constructed of adobe, with the exceptionof some limited repairs (the minaret of the SidiYahia mosque in 1939, the alhore stone cove-ring of the eastern faade of the mosque of San-kore in 1952), the mosques of Timbuktu show,better than the residential structures, subject tomore extensive changes, traditional constructiontechniques, now vulnerable under the effect ofirreversible change.

>> CRITERIA :

The roofs of Timbuktu Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

MALITimbuktu

DATE OF INSCRIPTION ..................................... ..................1988

GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES ....................................N16 46 24

..................................................................................... W2 59 58

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ..............XIV - XXI century

Know-how is transmitted from one generation tothe next through the corporation of masons Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

Northern elevation, minaret of the mosque ofSankor Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

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The spectacular pyramidal structure of the Tomb of Askia and the walland two prayer rooms are built of stone and adobe masonry with mud

mortar. The population of Gao regularly renews the plaster coating, madeof earth from the rice fields mixed with rice straw. Permanent scaffoldingmade of branches stuck in the walls facilitates regular maintenance.

(ii) The Tomb of Askia reflects the way localbuilding traditions, in response to Islamic needs,absorbed influences from North Africa to createa unique architectural style across the West Afri-can Sahel.

(iii) The Tomb of Askia is an important vestige ofthe Empire of Songhai, which once dominatedthe Sahel lands of West Africa and controlled thelucrative trans-Saharan trade.

(iv) The Tomb of Askia reflects the distinctivearchitectural tradition of the West African Saheland in particular exemplifies the way buildingsevolve over centuries through regular, traditio-nal, maintenance practices.

>> CRITERIA :

Aerial view of the buildings:pyramidal tower and two

mosques (men and women) Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

MALITomb of AskiaPyramidal tower of 17 m

representing the tombof Askia Mohamed


Prayer space, interiorview Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre


GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES ............................ N16 17 23.28

.......................................................................... ...... E0 2 40.416

PROPERTY ..................................................................... 4.24 ha

BUFFER ZONE ................................................................ 82.7 ha

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION .............. XV - XXI century

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The island is composed of two parts: Stone Town to the north and ReedTown to the south. In the Reed town, traditional houses are made of

mud applied on mangrove wood or bamboo structures, and covered withroofs of palm fronds (macuti).

The fortified city of Mozambique is located onthis island, a former Portuguese trading post onthe route to India. Its remarkable architecturalunity is due to the consistent use, since the 16thcentury, of the same building techniques, buil-ding materials (stone or macuti) and decorativeprinciples.

>> CRITERIA : (IV) (VI)Traditional houses in the Southern part ofthe island Bakonirina Rakotomamonjy, CRAterre

MOZAMBIQUEIsland of Mozambique Bakonirina Rakotomamonjy, CRAterre


GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES ............................... S15 2 3.012

.............................................................................. E40 44 8.988PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ..............XV - XXI century

Bakonirina Rakotomamonjy, CRAterre

BRIEF DESCRIPTION :

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The property includes two symbolic palaces whose roofs are supportedby cob walls and by cob or carved wood pillars. These walls and pillars

are made in a very decorative manner. Like the other sculptures of rein-forced concrete that mark specific points of the forest, they were createdby the artist Suzanne Wenger, who was at the origin of the New SacredArt movement.

(ii) The development of the New Sacred Artmovement and the absorption of Suzanne Wen-ger, an Austrian artist, into the Yoruba commu-nity have proved to be a fertile exchange ofideas that revived the sacred Osun Grove;

(iii) The Osun Sacred Grove is the largest andperhaps the only remaining example of a oncewidespread phenomenon that used to characte-rise every Yoruba settlement. It now represents

Yoruba sacred groves and their reflection ofYoruba cosmology.

(vi) The Osun Grove is a tangible expression ofYoruba divinatory and cosmological systems; itsannual festival is a living thriving and evolvingresponse to Yoruba beliefs in the bond betweenpeople, their ruler and the Osun goddess.

>> CRITE RIA

NIGERIAOsun-Osogbo Sacred Grove


GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES...................... N7 45 20.016

................................................................. E4 33 7.992

PROPERTY ......................................................................... 75 ha

BUFFER ZONE .................................................................... . 47 haPERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ..............XIX - XX century


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The villages, situated on low-lying ground below the Hidi Palace, havetheir own domestic architecture of dry stone walls, used as social markersand defensive enclosures, sunken animal pens, granaries and threshing

floors. Again, local granite is the main source of constructional materials.The living huts are simple circular structures made from earth with roofsof thatch and woven mats. Integrated groups are surrounded by low drystone walls.Numerous circular earthen huts with thatched roofs are inte-grated into the cultural landscape of Sukur. The most common buildingprinciples remain the use of dry stone or stone masonry bonded with claymortar. (Palace of the Hidi, villages, enclosures, terrace systems)

(iii) Sukur is an exceptional landscape, whichgraphically illustrates a form of land-use thatmarks a critical stage in human settlement andits relationship with its environment.

(v) The cultural landscape of Sukur has survivedunchanged for many centuries, and continues todo so at a period when this form of traditionalhuman settlement is under threat in many parts

of the world.

(vi) The cultural landscape of Sukur is eloquenttestimony to a strong and continuing culturaltradition that has endured for many centuries.

>> CRITERIA : Ishanlosen Odiaua

NIGERIASukur Cultural landscape



........................................................................... E13 34 18.984PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ..............XIX - XX century

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The Koutammakou landscape is home to the Batammariba (those whoshape the earth) and their remarkable earth tower-houses (Takienta)

stand-alone towers connected by small walls. The roof terraces are alsocovered with several layers of earth, placed on top of a wooden structurenot connected to the walls.

(v) The Koutammakou is an outstandingexample of a system of traditional settlementthat is still living and dynamic, and subject totraditional and sustainable systems and prac-tices, and which reflects the singular culture ofthe Batammariba, particularly the takientatower houses

(vi) The Koutammakou is an eloquent testimonyto the strength of spiritual association between

people and the landscape, as manifested in theharmony between the Batammariba and theirnatural surroundings.

>> CRITERIA :

The cultural landscape featuresscattered housing structures

Thierry Joffroy, CRAterreTOGO

Koutammakou, the Land ofthe Batammariba


GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES ...................................... N10 4 0

............................................................................................. E1 7 6

PROPERTY ................................................................ 50 000 haPERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ...............XVI - XX century

Takienta, village of Wadouba Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

Interior of the takienta Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

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Originally the site was completely built in straw. With the growth of thecity of Kampala, this material gradually disappeared, giving way to brick

and wattle and daub. There remains only one heavily damaged buildingreflecting the temporary use of earth as a building material.

(i) The Kasubi Tombs site is a masterpiece ofhuman creativity both in its conception and itsexecution.

(iii) The Kasubi Tombs site bears eloquentwitness to the living cultural traditions of theBaganda.

(iv) The spatial organization of the Kasubi Tombssite represents the best extant example of a

Baganda palace/architectural ensemble. Built inthe finest traditions of Ganda architecture andpalace design, it reflects technical achievementsdeveloped over many centuries.

(vi) The built and natural elements of the KasubiTombs site are charged with historical, traditio-nal, and spiritual values. It is a major spiritualcentre for the Baganda and is the most activereligious place in the Kingdom.

>> CRITERIA :

View of the great hut, fully built ofvegetal materials and completelydestroyed by fire in 2010.

Sbastien Moriset, CRAterre

UGANDA

Tombs of Buganda Kingsat Kasubi

House of one of the traditionalguardians who watches overthe spirits of deceased kings.This is the last earthen house

within the property, as all theothers have been replaced by

burnt brick structures. Sbastien Moriset, CRAterre


GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES ..................................... N0 20 55

....................................................................................... E32 33 5

PROPERTY ......................................................................... 27 haPERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ..............XIX - XX century

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>> REGION

Arab States

47

StatisticsArab States


49/286

02

0304

05

0607

08

09

10

11

12 14

1513

16

17

18

19

20

21 22

23

2425 26

01

Type of site


Position of earth



Historic buildingsHistoric ensembles

Urban settlementsRural settlements







Other

WallsFloorsCeilings and/or roofs

MortarsInterior decorationsExterior decorations

Other

0 to 25% earth

25 to 50% earth50 to 75% earth75 to 100% earth

BCAD

Arab States

ArabStates

TYPES AND

CONSTRUCTION MODES26 PROPERTIES

Criteria

Periods

Type

CuturalMixed

48

100%

0%

12%

54%

62%

66%

42%

27%

0%

0%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

0% 50% 100%

40%

70%

0%

0%

10%

0%

40%

20%

0%

40%

30%

0%

0%

0%

20%

60%

3%

1%

50%

70%26%

46%

61%

30%

26%

3%

23%

77%

11%

27%27%

35%

(l)(ll)(lll)(lV)(V)(Vl)(Vll)(Vlll)


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The Kasbah shows outstanding authenticity in form and design (denseurban fabric), construction materials (adobe bricks, earthen and lime

rendering, stone and wood), as well as use (residential, commercial, reli-gious) and folklore. http://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/565

(ii) The Kasbah of Algiers has exercised conside-rable influence on architecture and town plan-ning in North Africa, Andalusia and in sub-Saha-ran Africa during the 16th and 17th centuries.These exchanges are illustrated in the specificcharacter of its houses and the density of itsurban stratification, a model of human settle-ment where the ancestral lifestyle and Muslimcustoms have blended with other types of tra-ditions.

(v) The Kasbah of Algiers is an outstandingexample of a traditional human settlementrepresenting a profoundly Mediterranean Mus-lim culture, a synthesis of numerous traditions.The vestiges of the citadel, ancient mosques,Ottoman palaces, as well as a traditional urbanstructure associated with a deep sense of com-munity, testify to this culture and are the resultof its interaction with the various layers of popu-lations.

>> CRITE RIA

ALGERIA

Kasbah of Algiers



................................................................................. E3 3 37.008

PROPERTY ......................................................................... 60 ha

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION .............XVI - XXI century

Serge Maini

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50

188
http://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/565http://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/565http://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/565http://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/565http://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/565http://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/565http://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/565http://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/565


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A group of five ksour (fortified villages) El Atteuf, Bou Noura, BeniIsguen, Melika and Ghardia make up these miniature citadels. There

are three recurring elements found in all five villages the walled ksar,the cemetery, and the palm grove with its summer city. The earthenconstruction is mainly found in buildings in the palm grove (adobe walls,roof terraces).

(ii) The anthropic ensembles of the MZab Valleybear witness, by their exceedingly original archi-tecture dating from the beginning of the 11thcentury and by their rigour and organization, toan outstanding and original occupation modelfor human settlements of the cultural area ofcentral Sahara. This model settlement has hadconsiderable influence on Arab architecture andtown planning for nearly a millennium, inclu-ding architects and town-planners of the 20th

century, from Le Corbusier to Fernand Pouillonand Andr Raverau.

(iii) The three elements constituting the urbanensembles and settlements of the MZab Valley:ksar, cemetary, and palm grove with its summercity, are an exceptional testimony of the Ibadisculture at its height and the egalitarian principlethat was meticulously applied by the Mozabitesociety.

(v) The components of the MZab Valley are anoutstanding example of a traditional human

settlement, representative of the Ibadis culturethat, through the ingenious system for the col-lection and distribution of water and the creationof palm groves, demonstrates the extremelyefficient human interaction with a semi-desertenvironment.

>> CRITERIA

ALGERIA

MZab Valley



............................................................... .............. E3 40 59.988

PROPERTY ................................................................... 4000 haPERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ............... XI - XXI century

City of Ghardaia, MZab valley Magali Aupicon

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Qalat al-Bahrain is an archaeological tell created by many successive

layers of human occupation. Structures buried in the same place for overfour millennia witness the successive use of several techniques of ear-then construction.

(ii) Being an important port city, where peopleand traditions from different parts of the thenknown world met, lived and practiced theircommercial activities, makes the place a realmeeting point of cultures which is reflectedin its architecture and development. Havingbeen invaded and occupied for long periodsby most of the great powers and empires,this left cultural traces in different strata ofthe tell.

(iii) The site was the capital of one of the mostimportant ancient civilizations of the region -the Dilmun civilization. As such, this site is themost representative of this culture.

(iv) The palaces of Dilmun are uniqueexamples of public architecture of this culture,which had an impact on the overall architec-ture in the region. The different fortificationsare the best examples of defense works fromthe 3rd century BC to the 16th century AD, allfound in one site. The protected palm groves

surrounding the site are an illustration ofthe typical landscape and agriculture of theregion, since the 3rd century BC.

>> CRITE RIA

BAHRAIN

Qalat al-Bahrain AncientHarbour and Capital of Dilmun



........................................................................... E50 31 19.992

PROPERTY ......................................................................... 32 ha

BUFFER ZONE .................................................................1238 ha

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ...................III millennium

BC. - XVII century AC.

Karim Hendili

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The Ramesseum is the temple of the royal cult of Ramses II, located inthe Theban necropolis. With granaries made of long vaulted structures of

adobe (very thick Nubian vaults), it covers an area of about five hectares.Other earthen remains recall the importance of this material in construc-tion in the Middle and New Kingdoms. This includes the huge ancientadobe walls of the Karnak Temple and decorated clay coatings found inmany tombs of the Valley of Kings and Valley of Queens.

The capital of Egypt in the Middle and NewKingdoms, Thebes was the city of the godAmun. With the temples and palaces at Karnakand Luxor, its necropolises in the Valley of Kingsand Valley of Queens, this site gives us the com-pelling stories of Egyptian civilization at its peak.

>> CRITERIA : (I) (I I I) (VI)

EGYPT

Ancient Thebesand its Necropolis



....................................................................................... E32 36 0

PROPERTY .................................................................. . 7390 ha

BUFFER ZONE ................................................................. 444 ha

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ...................XIII century BC

>> BRIEF DESCRIPTION :

Palace of Karnak Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

Funerary temple of Ramesseum Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

Funerary temple of

Ramesseum Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

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The first large stone pyramid is located in the necropolis of Saqqara,

closest to the capital. It was built by Djoser, the founder of the ThirdDynasty, to serve as his mausoleum. This was a transformation of theearlier tombs, shaped like great brick rectangles, with the walls slopinginward and a flat roof, commonly referred to as mastabas. For the firsttime, the adobe was replaced by stone. http://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/86

The capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt hassome extraordinary funerary monuments, inclu-ding rock tombs, ornate mastabas, temples andpyramids. In antiquity, the pyramids were consi-dered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

>> CRITERIA : (I) (I I I) (VI)

EGYPT

Memphis and its Necropolis the Pyramid Fields

from Giza to Dahshur



....................................................................................... E32 36 0

PROPERTY ................................................................ ... 7390 ha

BUFFER ZONE ................................................................. 444 ha

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ...................XIII century BC


Vincent Brown (Flickr creative commons)

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The city conserves many important architectural remains: the zigguratand the great temple of the god Ashur, the double temple of Anu and

Adad, the temple of Ishtar, the Sumerian goddess of love and war, theOld Palace with its royal tombs and several living quarters in many partsof the city. The city was surrounded by a double wall with several gatesand a big moat. The majority of the buildings of the city were built withsun-dried mud-bricks with foundations of quarried stones or dressedstone, depending on the period. http://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/1130

(iii) Founded in the 3rd millennium BC, the mostimportant role of Ashur was from the 14th to9th century BC when it was the first capital ofthe Assyrian empire. Ashur was also the reli-gious capital of Assyrians, and the place forcrowning and burial of its kings.

(iv) The excavated remains of the publicand residential buildings of Ashur provide anoutstanding record of the evolution of buildingpractice from the Sumerian and Akkadian Periodthrough the Assyrian Empire, as well as inclu-ding the short revival during the Parthian Period.

>> CRITERIA :

IRAQ

Ashur (Qalat Sherqat)

Vronique Dauge, UNESCO Vronique Dauge, UNESCO



........................................................................... E43 15 34.992

PROPERTY ......................................................................... 70 ha

BUFFER ZONE ................................................................. 100 ha

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION .... III millennium BC - II

century AD

Ashur, palace and ziggurat Mahmoud Bendakir

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The great ancient fortified city of Hatra, designed in a circular plan, is cha-racterized by its two city walls: one made of stone (interior), the other

one in adobe on a stone foundation (exterior).

A large fortified city under the influence ofthe Parthian Empire and capital of the firstArab Kingdom, Hatra repelled invasions by theRomans in 116 and 198, with its thick wallsreinforced by towers. The remains of the city,especially the temples where Hellenistic andRoman architecture is combined with elementsof Eastern decorative, attest to the greatness ofits civilization.

>> CRITERIA : ( I I ) ( I I I ) ( IV) (V I)

IRAQ

Hatra



................................................................... .......... E42 43 5.988

PROPERTY ...................................................................... 324 haPERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ...................... I - II century


Universit degli Studi di Torino

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Built mainly of adobe and baked brick, the Islamic city of Samarra stretches41.5 kilometers from north to south with a width varying between 4 and

8 km.

(ii) Samarra represents a distinguished architec-tural stage in the Abbasid period by virtue of itsmosques, its development, the planning of itsstreets and basins, its architectural decoration,and its ceramic industries.

(iii) Samarra is the finest preserved example ofthe architecture and city planning of the Abba-sid Caliphate, extending from Tunisia to CentralAsia, and one of the worlds great powers ofthat period. The physical remains of this empireare usually poorly preserved since they are fre-quently built of unfired brick and reusable bricks.

(iv) The buildings of Samarra represent a newartistic concept in Islamic architecture in theMalwiya and Abu Dulaf mosques, in the formof a unique example in the planning, capacityand construction of Islamic mosques by compa-rison with those which preceded and succeeded

it. In their large dimensions and unique mina-rets, these mosques demonstrate the pride and

political and religious strength that correspondwith the strength and pride of the empire at thattime.

>> CRITERIA :

Mahmoud Bendakir

IRAQ

Samarra Archaeological City



........................................................................... E43 49 24.755

PROPERTY ................................................................ 15058 ha

BUFFER ZONE ............................................................ 31414 ha

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ...................VI - IX century

Mahmoud Bendakir

Mahmoud Bendakir

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The overall urban fabric of Ghadames is built of toub (adobe). The flatroofs are made with palm beams covered with weaved palm leaves andseveral layers of earth, whose properties and methods of implemen-tation vary to obtain a perfect waterproofing capacity. The extremely

dense habitat, built on 3 levels over covered walkways, ensures excellentcontrol and exceptional comfort in the arid climate of the Sahara Desert.Lime-washing of the walls inside and in large outdoor areas brightensthe rooms and highlights the Spartan decorations, windows and gypsumniches, paintings and objects.

Ghadams, known as the pearl of the desert,stands in an oasis. It is one of the oldest pre-Saharan cities and an outstanding example of atraditional settlement. Its domestic architectureis characterized by a vertical division of func-tions: the ground floor used to store supplies;then another floor for the family, overhangingcovered alleys that create what is almost anunderground network of passageways; and,

at the top, open-air terraces reserved for thewomen.

>> CRITERIA : (V)

LIBYA

Old Town of Ghadams


GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES ...................................... N30 7 60

.......................................................................................... E9 30 0

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ..................... I century BC -

XX century AD


General view of the old town Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

Roofs with plaster decorated acroterions Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

Mosque Thierry Joffroy, CRAterre

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The buildings are built of stone, earth and wood and the exterior wallopenings are often decorative stone designs. The interiors are also deco-

rated with ornaments of painted clay. Evaluation of the Advisory Body, 1996, p.129http://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/750.pdf

(iii) The Ksour bears unique witness to a noma-dic culture and trade in a desert environment.Their roots go back to the Middle Ages. Esta-blished in a desert environment bordering theMaghreb and the large ensembles of the bilades-sudan, they were thriving centres reflectingan intense religious and cultural life.

(iv) The ancient Ksour are medieval towns withan outstanding example of the type of archi-tectural ensembles illustrating seven centuriesof human history. They contain an original anddecorative stone architecture, and present atypical model of habitat of Saharan ksour, parti-cularly well integrated to the environment. Theirurban fabric is dense and closely packed; withnarrow and twisting lanes running between theblank outer walls of courtyard houses.

(v) These living historic towns are an outstan-ding example of traditional human settlementsand the last surviving evidence of an originaland traditional mode of occupying space, veryrepresentative of the nomadic culture and long-distance trade in a desert environment. Dueto these particular characteristics, warehouseswere built to safeguard their goods, and thetowns evolved to become the brilliant homes ofIslamic culture and thought.

>> CRITERIA :

MAURITANIA

Ancient Ksour of Ouadane,Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata



......................................................................... W11 37 24.996

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ............... XI - XXI century

Mosque of Chingetti Sbastien Moriset, CRAterre

Minaret, mosque ofOuadane


City of Chingetti,

Interior view of house Sbastien Moriset, CRAterre

Afr

ica

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836BIS Weldon Kennedy (Flickr creative commons)
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In pre-Roman times, one of the construction principles for houses inVolubilis was to build adobe walls on stone foundations. Earth was atthat time widely used in domestic architecture. It is the same for thecity walls. They are built of adobe masonry reinforced with wooden ringbeams.

(ii) The archaeological site of Volubilis is anoutstanding example of a town bearing witnessto an exchange of influences since High Anti-quity until Islamic times. These interchangestook place in a town environment correspon-ding to the boundary of the site, and in a ruralarea extending between the prerif ridges fromZerhoun and the Gharb Plain. These influencestestify to Mediterranean, Libyan and Moor,Punic, Roman and Arab-Islamic cultures as wellas African and Christian cultures. They are evi-dent in the urban evolution of the town, theconstruction styles and architectural decorationsand landscape creation.

(iii) This site is an outstanding example of anarchaeological and architectural complex, andof a cultural landscape bearing witness tomany cultures (Libyco-Berber and Mauritanian,Roman, Christian and Arabo-Islamic) of whichseveral have disappeared.

(iv) The archaeological site of Volubilis is anoutstanding example of a focus for the diffe-rent kinds of immigration, cultural traditions andlost cultures (Libyco-Berber and Mauritanian,Roman, Christian and Arabo-Islamic) since HighAntiquity until the Islamic period.

(vi)The archaeological site of Volubilis is rich inhistory, events, ideas, beliefs and artistic worksof universal significance, notably as a placethat, for a brief period, became the capital ofthe Muslim dynasty of the Idrissids. The townof Moulay Idriss Zerhoun adjacent to the sitehouses the tomb of this founder and is the sub-ject of an annual pilgrimage.

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Archaeological Site of Volubilis Hubert Guillaud, CRAterre

Hubert Guillaud, CRAterre


GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES ............................ N34 4 26.004

............................................................................ W5 33 24.984

PROPERTY ......................................................................... 42 ha

BUFFER ZONE .............................................................. 4200 ha

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ..................... IV century BC

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Endowed with a princely urbanism, the Historic City of Meknes illus-trates the specificities of earthen architecture (rammed earth) of sub-Saharan towns of the Maghreb. http://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/793

(iv) Mekns is distinctive by the monumentaland voluminous aspect of its ramparts reaching15 metres in height. It is considered as exem-plary testimony of the fortified towns of theMaghreb. It is a property representing a remar-kably complete urban and architectural structureof a North African capital of the 17th century,harmoniously combining Islamic and Europeanconceptual and planning elements. Endowedwith a princely urbanism, the Historic City ofMeknes also illustrates the specificities of ear-then architecture (rammed earth) of sub-Saha-ran towns of the Maghreb.

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Historic City of Meknes

DATE OF INSCRIPTION ...................................................... 1996


............................................................................ W5 33 29.988


Medina of Meknes Rosemary Dukelow (Flickr creative commons)

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Ait Ben Haddou is the best known example of earthen architecture ofsouthern Morocco. The Ksar is a complex of mainly rammed earth buil-dings, with some parts of adobe (upper parts) and stone foundations.Earth has also been used to make floors, terraces and ceilings. The housesare up to 15 meters high with their corner turrets decorated with adobemasonry bounded in such a way that delicate geometric patterns can beobtained.

(iv) The Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou is an outstan-ding example of a ksar in southern Moroccoillustrating the main types of earthen construc-tions found dating from the 17th century in thevalleys of Dra, Todgha, Dads and Souss.

(v) The Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou illustrates thetraditional earthen habitat, representative of theculture of southern Morocco, which has becomevulnerable as a result of irreversible socio-eco-nomic and cultural changes.

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Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou


GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES........................ N31 2 49.992

.................................................................. W7 7 4.004

PROPERTY ..................................................................... ...... 3 ha

BUFFER ZONE ......................................................................16 ha

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ................ XI - XXI century

The site, the oued and the new townas seen from the the hill Sbastien Moriset, CRAterre

Portion of the enclosurewall along the oued Sbastien Moriset, CRAterre

Walkways leading to the top of the Ksar Sbastien Moriset, CRAterre

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The city enclosure of the medina of Fez is made of very thick rammedearth walls, often including remains of earlier walls. The use of earth isalso found in the ancient fabric of the medina.

(ii) The Medina of Fez bears living witness toa flourishing city of the eastern Mediterraneanhaving exercised considerable influence mainlyfrom the 12th to the 15th centuries, on thedevelopment of architecture, monumental artsand town-planning, notably in North Africa,Andalusia and in Sub-Saharan Africa. Fez Jedid(the new town), was inspired from the earliertown-planning model of Marrakesh.

(v) The Medina of Fez constitutes an outstandingexample of a medieval town created during thevery first centuries of Islamisation of Moroccoand presenting an original type of human sett-lement and traditional occupation of the landrepresentative of Moroccan urban culture overa long historical period (from the 9th to thebeginning of the 20th centuries). The ancientfragmented district of the Medina with its highdensity of monuments of religious, civil andmilitary character are outstanding examples

of this culture and the resulting interaction withthe diverse strata of the population that have

influenced the wide variety of architecturalforms and urban landscapes.

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Matteo Martinello (Flickr creative commons)

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Medina of Fez


GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES ............................N34 3 39.996

............................................................................ W4 58 40.008

PROPERTY ...................................................................... 280 ha

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ............... IX - XXI century

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El Badi palace in the Medina of Marrakech, built inthe late 16th century Arnaud Misse CRAterre

The Bahia Palace, built in the late 19th century Sbastien Moriset CRAterre


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The medieval city of Marrakech was surrounded by a rammed earth wall10 kilometers long, of which long stretches remain. The medina, whichextends over 700 ha, also retains many adobe buildings covered withroofs made with several layers of earth.

(i) Marrakesh contains an impressive number ofmasterpieces of architecture and art (rampartsand monumental gates, Koutoubia Mosque,Sadians tombs, ruins of the Badi Palace, BahiaPalace, Mnara water feature and pavilion) eachone of which could justify, alone, a recognitionof Outstanding Universal Value.

(ii) The capital of the Almoravids and the Almo-hads has played a decisive role in medievalurban development. Capital of the Merinids,Fs Jedid (the New town), integral part of theMedina of Fez, inscribed in 1981 on the WorldHeritage List, is an adaptation of the earlierurban model of Marrakesh

(iv) Marrakesh, which gave its name to theMoroccan empire, is a completed example of amajor Islamic capital of the western Mediterra-nean.

(v) The 700 hectares of the Medina, the ancienthabitat vulnerable due to demographic change

represents an outstanding example of a livinghistoric town with its tangle of lanes, its houses,souks, fondouks, artisanal activities and traditio-nal trades.

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Medina of Marrakesh


GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES .......................... N31 37 53.004

............................................................................ W7 59 12.012

PROPERTY ................................................................. . 1 107 ha


Arnaud Misse, CRAterre Sbastien Moriset, CRAterre

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The strength of the Banu Nabhan, who ruled over the other communitiesfrom the twelfth to the late fifteenth century, is demonstrated by theimmense Bahla Fort, currently undergoing restoration. Adobe walls andtowers over stone foundations dominate the oasis landscape and thesurrounding maze of adobe houses and earthen terrace roofs, encircledby an earthen rampart and watchtowers.

(iv) The Bahla Fort and oasis settlement withits perimeter fortification are an outstandingexample of a type of defensive architectu-ral ensemble that enabled dominant tribes toachieve prosperity in Oman and the ArabianPeninsula during the late medieval period.

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Bahla Fort



......................................................................... .... E57 18 3.996

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION .................XII - XV century

Hubert Guillaud, CRAterre

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1329 Mahmoud Bendakir


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The citadel of at-Turaif is representative of a diversified and fortifiedurban ensemble within an oasis. It comprises many palaces and is anoutstanding example of the Najdi architectural and decorative style cha-racteristic of the centre of the Arabian Peninsula. It bears witness to abuilding method that is well adapted to its environment, to the use ofadobe in major palatial complexes, along with a remarkable sense ofgeometrical decoration. http://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/1329

The At-Turaif District in ad-Diriyah was the firstcapital of the Saudi Dynasty, in the heart of theArabian Peninsula, north-west of Riyadh. Foundedin the 15th century, it bears witness to the Najdiarchitectural style, which is specific to the centreof the Arabian Peninsula. In the 18th and the early19th century, its regional political and religious roleincreased, and the citadel of At-Turaif became thecentre of the temporal power of the House of Saud

and the spread of the Islamic reform movementin Arabia, Wahhabism. The property includes theremains of many palaces and an urban ensemblebuilt on the edge of the ad-Diriyah oasis.

>> CRITERIA : ( IV) (V) (V I)

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At-Turaif Districtin ad-Diriyah



GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES .............. .............. N24 44 2.88

................................................................ E46 34 20.88

PROPERTY ......................................................................... 29 ha

BUFFER ZONE .................................................................. 238 ha

PERIOD(S) OF CONSTRUCTION ..............XV - XIX century


Mahmoud Bendakir


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The archaeological excavations at Carthage have revealed the use ofadobe for the construction of the upper parts of houses, during the Punicperiod, but also the Roman period. Rammed earth was also used for theconstruction of some walls.

(ii) Phoenician foundation linked to Tyre andthe Roman refoundation on the orders of JuliusCesar, Carthage was also the capital of a Vandalkingdom and the Byzantine province of Africa.Its antique ports bear witness to commercialand cultural exchanges over more than ten cen-turies. The tophet, a sacred place dedicated toBaal, contains numerous stelae where variouscultural influences are in evidence. Outstandingplace of blossoming and diffusion of severalcultures that succeeded one another (Phoenico-

Punic, Roman, Paleochristian and Arab); Car-thage has exercised considerable influence onthe development of the arts, architecture andtown planning in the Mediterranean.

(iii) The site of Carthage bears exceptional tes-timony to the Phoenico-Punic civilization beingat the time its hub in the western basin of theMediterranean. It was also one of the mostbrilliant centres of Afro-Roman civilization

(vi) The historic and literary renown of Carthagehas always fed the collective imagination. Car-thage is particularly associated with the homeof the legendary princess of Tyre, Elyssa-Dido,founder of the town, sung about by Virgil inthe Aeneid; with the great navigator-explorer,Hannon, with Hannib

Documents

Inventario de arquitectura de la tierra UNESCO 2012 - ARQ Libros.pdf