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Nominations of Cultural Properties to the World Heritage List (The Biblical Tels - Megiddo, Hazor, Beer Sheba)

Document type
Decision
Reference number
8B.40
Date
Jul 10, 2005
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
29e session du Comité
Website
whc.unesco.org
Abstract

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Documents WHC-05/29.COM/8B, WHC-05/29.COM/8B.Add 2 and WHC-05/29.COM/INF.8B.1,

2. Inscribes The Biblical Tels and Ancient Water Systems - Megiddo, Hazor and Beer Sheba (Israel) on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi):

Criterion (ii): The three tels represent an interchange of human values throughout the ancient near-east, forged through extensive trade routes and alliances with other states and manifest in building styles which merged Egyptian, Syrian and Aegean influences to create a distinctive local style.

Criterion (iii): The three tels are a testimony to a civilisation that has disappeared -that of the Cananean cities of the Bronze Age and the biblical cities of the Iron Age-, manifest in their expressions of creativity: town planning, fortifications, palaces, and water collection technologies.

Criterion (iv): The biblical cities exerted a powerful influence on later history through the biblical narrative.

Criterion (vi): The three tels, through their mentions in the Bible, constitute a religious and spiritual testimony of outstanding universal value.

3. Notes the changing of the name of the property which becomes: "The BiblicalTels - Megiddo, Hazor, Beer Sheba";

4. Encourages the State Party of Israel to explore the possibility of adding further tels to widen the serial nomination in the future.