Factors of Deterioration of the Archaeological Sites and Protection Methods in the Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Shahat)

This thesis examines the factors of deterioration of the archaeological sites in Cyrene. Cyrene is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, and since 1982 has been on the list of World Heritage Sites, meeting criteria (ii), (iii) and (vi) of the World Heritage List (WHL), relating to human civilization values, aesthetic importance, and developments in architecture or technology. But unfortunately, the site has come under a wide range of threats, duly noted and followed up by The World Heritage Committee. As a result, the Department of Antiquities (DoA) has been asked on more than one occasion to work to find appropriate solutions to protect, save and secure Cyrene. Despite the realization and understanding of these risks and threats by both the Department of Antiquities (DoA) and The World Heritage Committee (WHC), solutions have remained elusive, but new evidence identified by this study has confirmed that there is a very close relationship between good knowledge, the clear classification of deterioration factors and the discovery or creation of solutions for the problem, because clear understanding of these factors is the most important step in finding the right solutions. This thesis is divided into four chapters. The first chapter provides the geographic and historic introduction, and also describes the archaeology and landscape of the wider site. Moreover, it discusses also the role of travellers and explorers and their work, and the very beginnings of the founding of the Department of Antiquities. The second chapter is about physical deterioration factors and their impact on the monuments. The third chapter has been devoted to discussing the role of human activity in the deterioration of heritage and archaeology in Cyrene. Finally, Chapter IV assesses all the factors of deterioration, and makes proposals to reduce these threats and dangers.Libyan Embass