Conservation of Libya's cultural heritage

Libya’s World Heritage Sites of Ghadames, Sabratha, and Leptis Magna are renowned for their outstanding universal value. However, they remain largely unassessed, lack comprehensive conservation and management plans, and are rapidly deteriorating due to ongoing conflict and instability. As the custodian of this heritage, the Libyan Department of Antiquities (DoA) has identified an urgent need to strengthen capacity for heritage protection through improved management planning and emergency stabilization measures. In response, King’s College London has partnered with the DoA to build capacity in the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of management plans, while co-developing action plans based on condition and risk assessments. The project will deliver targeted emergency interventions to stabilize threatened sites, develop new management plans for the three World Heritage Sites, and equip DoA staff with the skills to design integrated management plans applicable to sites across the country. Expected outcomes include the implementation of on-site emergency measures, progress toward removing Libyan sites from the World Heritage in Danger List, strengthened national capacity for heritage management, the creation of a replicable model for other sites, and increased public awareness of Libya’s cultural heritage.