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Inscription: Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley (Portugal)

Document type
Decision
Reference number
VIII.B.1
Date
Nov 30, 1998
Source
UNEP, InforMEA
Status
Active
Subject
Wild species & ecosystems
Treaty
Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (Nov 23, 1972)
Meeting
22e session du Comité
Website
whc.unesco.org
Abstract

Property: Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley

Id. N°: 866

State Party: Portugal

Criteria: C (i)(iii)

The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (i) and (iii):

Criterion (i): The Upper Palaeolithic rock-art of the Côa valley is an outstanding example of the sudden flowering of creative genius at the dawn of human cultural development.

Criterion (iii): The Côa Valley rock art throws light on the social, economic, and spiritual life on the life of the early ancestor of humankind in a wholly exceptional manner.

The Delegate of Thailand agreed with the inscription but expressed his reservation with the application of criterion (i). The Delegates of Australia and Morocco warmly welcomed this nomination for contributing to the diversity and credibility of the World Heritage List and commended the State Party on its management of the site.