World Heritage Committee Inscribes 24 New Sites on the World Heritage
List
World Heritage Committee Inscribes 24 New
Sites on the World Heritage List in2003
03 Jul 2003 - New sites include, for the
first time, sites in Gambia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Sudan.
The inscriptions were carried out by the
World Heritage Committee, which has been holding its 27th session, under the
chair of Vera Lacoeuilhe (Sainte-Lucie) at UNESCO Headquarters since June 30.
The World Heritage List now numbers 754 sites, including 149 natural, and 582
cultural and 23 mixed sites "of outstanding universal value".
The new natural sites （自然遗产）are:
Australia: Purnululu National Park (N i,
iii)澳大利亚的波奴鲁鲁国家公园
The 239,723-hectare Purnululu National Park
is located in the State of Western Australia. It contains the deeply dissected
Bungle Bungle Range composed of Devonian-age quartz sandstone eroded over a
period of 20 million years into a series of beehive-shaped towers or cones,
whose steeply sloping surfaces are distinctly marked by regular horizontal
bands of dark-grey cyanobacterial crust (single-celled photosynthetic
organisms). These outstanding examples of cone karst owe their existence and
uniqueness to several interacting geological, biological, erosional and
climatic phenomena.
China: Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan
Protected Areas (N i, ii, iii, iv)中国云南的“三江并流
Consisting of seven geographical clusters
of protected areas within the boundaries of the Three Parallel Rivers National
Park, in the mountainous northwest of Yunnan province, the 1.7-million-hectar
site features sections of the upper reaches of three of the great rivers of
Asia: the Yangtze (Jinsha), Mekong and Salween run roughly parallel, north to
south, through steep gorges which, in places, are 3,000 m deep and are bordered
by glaciated peaks more than 6000m high. The site is an epicentre of Chinese
biodiversity. It is also one of the richest temperate regions of the world, in
terms of biodiversity.
Mongolia / Russian Federation: Uvs Nuur
Basin (N ii, iv)盐水湿地
The Uvs Nuur Basin (1,068,853 hectares) is
the northern-most of the enclosed basins of Central Asia. It takes its name
from the Uvs Nuur Lake, a large, shallow and very saline lake, important for
migrating birds, waterfowl, and seabirds. The site is made up of 12 clusters
representing the major biomes of eastern Eurasia. The steppe ecosystem supports
a rich diversity of birds and the desert is home to a number of rare gerbil,
jerboas and the marbled polecat. The mountains are important refuges for the globally
endangered snow leopard, mountain sheep (argali) and the Asiatic ibex.
Switzerland: Monte San Giorgio (N i)瑞士的圣乔吉奥山
The pyramid-shaped, wooded mountain (peak
1,096 metres above sea level), to the south of Lake Lugano in Canton Ticino
covers a surface area of 849 hectares. Monte San Giorgio lies to the south of
Lake Lugano in Canton Ticino. It is regarded as the best fossil record of
marine life from the Mid Triassic Period (245-230 million years ago). The
current extent of discoveries includes more than 10,000 fossil specimens,
representing many species. Notable among the vertebrate material - which
includes large, articulated skeletons up to 6 metres in length - is the
presence of ichthyosaurs, nothosaurs, placodonts, and the remarkable 'giraffe
necked' saurian, Tanystropheus.
Vietnam: Phong Nha - Ke Bang National
Park (N i)热带雨林国家公园
The vast area of dramatic, forested
highland karst landscape extending to the border of the Lao People's Democratic
Republic is geologically very diverse and includes spectacular formations
including 65 kilometres of caves and underground rivers. The reserve is largely
covered by tropical forest, with a high level of biodiversity and numerous
endemic species. Preliminary faunal surveys have identified 461 vertebrate
species, comprising 65 species.
The new cultural sites （文化遗产）are:
Afghanistan: The cultural landscape and
archaeological remains of the Bamiyan Valley (C i, ii, iii, iv, vi)巴米扬文化景观及考古遗存
This site showcases the artistic and
religious developments which from the 1st to the 13th centuries characterized
ancient Bakhtria, integrating various cultural influences into the Gandhara
school of Buddhist art. The area contains numerous Buddhist monastic ensembles
and sanctuaries, as well as fortified edifices from the Islamic period. It also
bears testimony to the tragic destruction by the Taleban of the two standing
Buddha statues, which shook the world in March 2001.
Argentina: Quebrada de Humahuaca (C ii,
iv, v)阿根廷的奎布拉达罕华卡地区
The property follows the line of a major
cultural route along the spectacular valley of the Rio Grande, from its source
in the cold high desert plateau of the High Andean lands to its confluence with
the Rio Leone some 150 kilometres to the south. The valley shows substantial
evidence of its use as a major trade route over the past 10,000 years. It
features visible traces of prehistoric hunter-gatherer communities, of the Inca
Empire (15th to 16th century) and of the fight for independence in the 19th and
20th centuries.
Chile（智利）: Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaiso (C iii)智利的港口城市法尔巴拉索的历史城区
The colonial city of Valparaiso presents an
interesting example of late 19th century urban and architectural development in
Latin America. In its natural amphitheatre-like setting, the city is
characterized by a vernacular urban fabric adapted to the hillsides. It
contrasts with the geometrical layout utilized in the plain, where a great
variety of church spires are to be seen. Infrastructure elements dating back to
early industrialization are well preserved in the city. Among them are many
"elevators", or cable cars, on the steep hillsides.
Czech Republic（捷克）: The Jewish Quarter and St
Procopius' Basilica in Trebic (C ii, iii)捷克共和国的Trebic城的犹太区和St
Procopius天主教堂
The ensemble of the Jewish Quarter, the old
Jewish cemetery and the Basilica of St Procopius in Trebic are reminders of the
co-existence of Jewish and Christian cultures from the Middle Ages to the 20th
century. The Jewish Quarter bears an outstanding testimony to the different
aspects of the life of this community. St Procopius Basilica, built as part of
the Benedictine monastery in the early 13th century, is an exceptional witness
to the influence of Western-European architectural heritage in this region.
Gambia（冈比亚）: James Island and Related Sites (C iii, vi)约翰 姆士岛及相关地点
James Island and Related Sites present a
testimony to the main periods and facets of the encounter between Africa and
Europe along the River Gambia, a continuum that stretched from pre-colonial and
pre-slavery times to independence. The site is particularly significant for its
relation to the beginning and the abolition of the slave trade. It also
documents early access to the interior of Africa.
India: Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (C iii,
v)印度的Bhimbetka石窟
The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are in the
foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains on the southern edge of the central Indian
plateau. Within massive sandstone outcrops, above comparatively dense forest,
are five clusters of natural rock shelters, displaying paintings that appear to
date from the Mesolithic period right through to the Historical period. The
cultural traditions of the inhabitants of the 21 villages in the buffer zone
bear a strong resemblance to those represented in the rock paintings.
Iran: Takht-e Soleyman (C i, ii, iii, iv,
vi)
The archaeological site of Takht-e
Suleyman, in north-western Iran, is situated in a valley in a volcanic mountain
region. The site includes the principal Zoroastrian sanctuary partly rebuilt in
the Ilkhanid (Mongol) period (13th century) as well as a temple of the Sasanian
period (6th and 7th centuries AD) dedicated to Anahita. The site has important
symbolic significance. The designs of the fire temple, the palace and the
general layout have had significant influence on the development of Islamic
architecture.
Iraq: Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (C iii, iv)伊拉克的阿舒尔城
The ancient city of Ashur is located on the
Tigris River in northern Mesopotamia in a specific geo-ecological zone, at the
borderline between rain-fed and irrigation agriculture. The city dates back to
the 3rd millennium BC. From the 14th to the 9th centuries BC, it was the first
capital of the Assyrian Empire, a city-state and trading platform of
international importance. It also served as the religious capital of the
Assyrians, associated to the god Ashur. The city was destroyed by the Babylonians,
but revived during the Parthian period in the 1st and 2nd century AD.
Israel: The White City of Tel-Aviv - the
Modern Movement (C ii, iv)以色列的特拉维夫白城
Tel Aviv was founded in 1909 and developed
under the British Mandate (1920-1948). The White City was constructed from the
early 1930s till 1948, based on the urban plan by Sir Patrick Geddes,
reflecting modern organic planning principles. The buildings were designed by
architects who were trained in Europe where they practiced their profession
before emigrating to Palestine. They created an outstanding architectural
ensemble of the modern movement in a new cultural context.
Italy: Sacri Monti of Piedmont and
Lombardy (C ii, iv)
The nine Sacri Monti ('Sacred Mountains')
of northern Italy are groups of chapels and other architectural features
created in the late 16th and 17th centuries and dedicated to different aspects
of the Christian faith. In addition to their symbolic spiritual meaning, they
are of great beauty by virtue of the skill with which they have been integrated
into the surrounding natural landscape of hills, forests, and lakes. They also
house much important artistic material in the form of wall paintings and
statuary.
Kazakhstan: The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed
Yasawi (C i, iii, iv)亚萨威陵墓
The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, in the
town of Yasi, now Turkestan, was built at the time of Timur (Tamerlane), from
1389 to 1405. Persian master builders experimented with architectural and
structural solutions under the supervision of the emperor in this partly
unfinished building. These solutions were used in the construction of
Samarkand, the capital of the Timurid Empire. Today, it is one of the largest
and best-preserved constructions of the Timurid period.
Mexico: Franciscan Missions in the
Sierra Gorda of Quer閠aro (C ii, iii)
The Franciscan missions of Sierra Gorda
were built during the last phase of the conversion to Christianity of the
interior of Mexico in the mid 18th century and became an important reference
for the continuation of the evangelization and colonization of California,
Arizona and Texas. The richly decorated church fa鏰des are of special interest as they represent an example of the
joint creative efforts of the missionaries and the Indios. The rural
settlements that grew around the missions have retained their vernacular
character.
Poland: Wooden Churches of Southern
Little Poland (C iii, iv)
The wooden churches of southern Little
Poland represent outstanding examples of the different aspects of medieval
church-building traditions in Roman Catholic culture. The building - using the
horizontal log technique, common in eastern and northern Europe since the
Middle Ages - were sponsored by noble families and became status symbols. They
offered an alternative to the stone structures erected in urban centres.
Russian Federation: Citadel, Ancient City
and Fortress Buildings of Derbent (C iii, iv)
The Citadel, Ancient City and Fortress
buildings of Derbent were part of the northern limes of the Sasanian Persian
Empire, which extended east and west of the Caspian Sea. The fortification was
built in stone. It consisted of two parallel walls that formed a barrier from
the seaside up to the mountain. The town of Derbent was built between these two
walls, and has retained part of its medieval fabric. The site continued to be
of great strategic importance until the 19th century.
South Africa: Mapungubwe Cultural
Landscape (C ii, iii, iv, v)
Mapungubwe is set hard against the northern
border of South Africa joining Zimbabwe and Botswana. It is an open, expansive
savannah landscape on the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe. Mapungubwe
developed into the largest kingdom in the sub-continent before it was abandoned
in the 14th century. What survives are the almost untouched remains of the palace
sites and also the entire settlement area dependent upon them, as well as two
earlier capital sites, the whole presenting an unrivalled picture of the
development of social and political structures over some 400 years.
Spain: Renaissance Monumental Ensembles
of 赽eda and Baeza
(C ii, iv)
The urban morphology of the two small
cities of Ubeda and Baeza in southern Spain dates back to the Moorish 9th
century and to the Reconquista in the 13th century. An important development
took place in the 16th century, when the cities were subject to renovation
along the lines of the emerging Renaissance. This planning intervention was
part of the introduction into Spain of new humanistic ideas from Italy, and
they went on to have a great influence on the architecture of Latin America.
Sudan: Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the
Napatan Region (C i, ii, iii, iv)
The property includes several
archaeological sites, over more than 60 km in the Nile valley, of the Napatan
(900 to 270 BC) and Meroitic (270 BC to 350 AD) cultures, of the second kingdom
of Kush. Tombs, with and without pyramids, temples, living complexes and
palaces are to be found on the site.
United Kingdom: Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew (C ii, iii, iv)（皇家植物园）
The historic landscape garden features
elements that illustrate significant periods of the art of gardens from the
18th to the 20th centuries. The gardens house botanic collections (conserved
plants, living plants and documents) which have been considerably enriched
through the centuries. Since their creation in 1759, the gardens have made a
significant and uninterrupted contribution to the study of plant diversity and
botanic economics.
Zimbabwe: Matobo Hills (C iii, v, vi)
The area exhibits a profusion of
distinctive rock landforms rising above the granite shield that covers much of
Zimbabwe. The large boulders provide abundant natural shelters and have been
associated with human occupation from the early Stone Age right through to
early historical times, and intermittently since. They also feature an outstanding
collection of rock paintings. The Matobo Hills continue to provide a strong
focus for the local community which still uses shrines and sacred places,
closely linked to traditional, social and economic activities.
The Committee also extended one natural
site and two cultural sites, all already inscribed:
Brazil: Central Amazon Conservation
Complex (N ii, iv)
The 6,096,086 hectares of Central Amazon
Conservation Complex which includes the Ja?National Park that was inscribed on
the List in 2000, make up the largest protected area in the Amazon Basin and
one of the planet's richest regions in terms of biodiversity. It also includes
an important sample of varzea ecosystems, igap?/I> forests, lakes and
channels which take the form of a constantly evolving aquatic mosaic that is
home to the largest array of electric fish in the world. The site protects key
threatened species, including giant arapaima fish, the Amazonian manatee, the
black caiman, and two species of river dolphin.
China: Imperial Tombs of the Ming and
Qing Dynasties (C i, ii, iii, iv, vi)
These tombs were inscribed on the World
Heritage List in 2000. The property inscribed this year as an extension
consists of two distinct burial sites of the Ming Dynasty emperors. Xiaoling,
the first emperor of that dynasty is buried there, as are 13 others. The tombs
provide outstanding evidence of Chinese beliefs and traditions from the 14th
onward and significant examples of architecture and applied arts, designed in
keeping with the Chinese concepts of geomancy (fengshui).
Panama: Archaeological Site of
Panam?Viejo and the Historic District of Panam?/A> (C ii, iv, vi)
This property was inscribed on the World
Heritage List in 1997. The archaeological property of Panam?Viejo, inscribed
this year as an extension, covers the location and ruins of the first European
settlement on the American mainland and pre-Hispanic remains. It features
impressive ruins. Moreover, older remains, dating to up to 1,000 years before
the arrival of the Europeans, were excavated on this site.
