ICOMOS-UK International Cultural Heritage and Conservation News Service » archaeology

Cultural Heritage of Libya lecture

icomos-uk — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:30:50 +0000

Many thanks to all who attended a packed lecture by Dr Hafed Walda on the Cultural Heritage of Libya on 15 December. He gave a visual tour of antiquities and sites that he had visited across Libya, and showed the range and importance of cultural heritage in the country. He also endorsed the work of Blue Shield in helping to protect heritage sites from deliberate damage or destruction during the recent conflict, and provided a largely encouraging view of the current state of Libya’s heritage.

We will be running a series of evening seminars on international heritage in February, March and April 2012, and will post further details here shortly.

CULTURAL HERITAGE OF LIBYA

icomos-uk — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:36:32 +0000

ICOMOS-UK Christmas Lecture and Wine Reception – 15 December 2011, 6.30 – 8.30 pm

The extraordinary wealth of Libya’s cultural heritage encompasses the Greek and Roman monuments of the Mediterranean coast between Tunisia and Algeria such as Cyrene, Leptis Magna, Sabratha, the desert and Gebel pre-desert tribal cultures of the huge expanses of southern Libya stretching down to the borders of Chad and Niger, towns on the salt route across the Sahara, such as Ghadames, and the spectacular pre-historic rock art sites of Tadrart Acacus.

: Arch of Tiberius, Leptis Magna

These irreplaceable elements of the world’s culture stretching back thousands of years face very real threats in the wake of the recent military action. The need to acknowledge the importance of these sites cannot be overestimated, and to prepare them for the challenges that a rapidly developing tourist industry could bring.

Dr Hafed Walda will profile the cultural heritage of Libya – its World Heritage sites and the many urban and desert sites that remain totally un-designated and un-protected - and offer his view on the needs now facing the country to raise awareness of this legacy and put in place structures to sustain their value.

Dr Hafed Walda. After gaining his bachelor’s degree in his native Libya, Hafed came to the Institute of Archaeology in London where he obtained his doctorate in Roman Art and Archaeology. At the British Museum he co-ordinated the setting up of the new Roman Gallery which has become a focal point for many visitors to the Museum. He used his experience in directing the excavation at Leptis Magna to advise the Libyan Department of Antiquities in the creation of the new museum. Currently Research Fellow at King’s College London, where as well as teaching courses in Roman Art, Roman Architecture and Introduction to Archaeology, he is involved in digitalisation projects within the School of Arts and Humanities. In September 2011 he was part of a Blue Shield delegation to Libya representing the Libyan Department of Antiquities and in October 2011 he represented Libya at an UNESCO Expert meeting in Paris.

For more information, and information on how to book please contact us by email on admin@icomos-uk.org or call 020 7566 0031

World Heritage Sites: Their Value, Nomination and Management

icomos-uk — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:59:59 +0000

Course/Professional Development
22 March 2010, Oxford

Cultural World Heritage Sites are incredibly diverse, ranging from individual monuments and sites, such as Stonehenge and Avebury, to historic areas and cities such as Bath, Liverpool and Edinburgh. The defining characteristic that links all cultural World Heritage Sites is that the asset or property must be recognised as being of ‘outstanding universal value’.

In many countries, World Heritage Sites are provided with statutory protection under national planning and/or development legislation. This is not the case in the United Kingdom, although the outstanding international importance of the site does constitute a key material consideration to be taken into account by local planning authorities in determining planning and listed building applications. Local authorities are also required to formulate specific planning policies for protecting World Heritage Sites.

This course introduces participants to the processes of WHS nomination and inscription, and explores the impact of WHS designation on the management of a site. It will discuss some of the practical issues that flow from WHS inscription and the need to manage and protect a site’s ‘outstanding universal value’. It is aimed at professionals who would like to know more about the position of World Heritage Sites in the planning process (in England and the rest of the UK), and to those who are keen to improve the quality, relevance and effectiveness of World Heritage Site management plans and planning.

Audience
The course is open to all, but will be of particular interest to:
• World Heritage Site co-ordinators and managers or those providing advice to other property owners/managers in the vicinity of a WHS;
• Planners who have to consider the potential impact of development proposals on a WHS or within the setting or buffer zone of a WHS;
• Heritage practitioners who wish to understand the importance and impact of World Heritage Sites or who might become involved in preparing a WHS management plan or a conservation management plan for a heritage asset in close proximity to one;
• Practitioners who have an interest in working on projects for UNESCO internationally.

More information

If you have any questions about this course, please email professional.arch@conted.ox.ac.uk