State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II

This is not the only field of interest. Xanthos and the Letoon sanctuary are the places where have been Turkey found the longest and the most important texts in the Lycian language. Many of these, engraved in Xanthos-Letoon rock or on huge stone pillars, cannot be removed and are the permanent testimony, on the site, of this unique development of the indo-european Brief description languages. This site, which was the capital of Lycia, illustrates Recent historical research insists on studying the the blending of Lycian traditions and Hellenic contacts of civilizations and the process of influence, especially in its funerary art. The acculturation. From this point of view, Xanthos is an epigraphic inscriptions are crucial for our outstanding example of crossroads of civilizations. understanding of the history of the Lycian people The old Anatolian stratum, represented by the and their Indo-European language. Lycian language and the funerary customs, has swallowed the East Greek influence with the result 1. Introduction that appeared an original art, in which the Greek artistic technique was put to the service of the Year of Inscription 1988 Anatolian religion and political system. Agency responsible for site management Though this originality tends to fade after the • Ministry of Culture and Tourism conquest by Alexander the Great, Xanthos and the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Letoon sanctuary still have a great religious and Museums political importance as the center chosen by the II.TBMM Binası Ulus League of Lycian cities. City and sanctuary are 06100 ANKARA associated with all the historical evolution of the e-mail: [email protected] Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Lycia. All the royal letters, royal edicts, treaties or laws were engraved on stone and exposed to public view in 2. Statement of Significance the federal sanctuary of Leto, which played in this Inscription Criteria C (ii) (iii) respect a significant historical role. Finally, the Xanthos monuments illustrate in a Justification as provided by the State Party striking and unique way the continuity of civilization The Xanthos-Letoon complex represents the most from ancient times to our days. The wooden houses unique and characteristic extant specimen of the and granaries that the Lycian country people of ancient Lycian civilization. The Lycian culture is today build for themselves are constructed with the known to be one of the most important cultures of same technique that can be observed in the wood- Iron Age in Anatolia. It has achieved masterpieces imitating stone cut rock tombs. This is a exemplary and has exerted a lasting influence. case of an heritage still living in the spirit of contemporary dwellers of the country. In architecture, the rock-cut tombs, pillar tombs and pillar-mounted sarcophagus in Xanthos have no In conclusion, the Xanthos/Letoon complex has a parallel. This type of funerary architecture is unique, beautiful setting, an history ranging nearly 20 and are located in still relatively preserved centuries, an unique combination of Anatolian, surroundings. Their value was recognized in Greek, Roman and Byzantine civilizations. It offers antiquity and they influenced the art of neighboring many well preserved architectural features, most of provinces: the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus is which are unique (as Lycian Pillar-tombs) and have directly an heir of the Xanthos Nereid Monument. In no parallel, and the major testimonies on the modern times, the fact that some architectural and ancient Lycian Ianguage. It is known since the mid- sculptural members of outstanding artistic value 19th century as a major site for ancient sculpture, were taken to London caused a world-wide and in this respect is already recognized as a part recognition of their merit, and consequently, the of manhood culture. We ask and need the Xanthos marbles became an important chapter in inscription on the World Heritage List, and think we the history of ancient art. As a matter of fact, have good grounds to do so. Xanthos is already a part of the World Cultural heritage. State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II

As provided in ICOMOS evaluation proposed demarcation appears compatible with the present situation, it seems to be insufficient in the (July 1988): ICOMOS recommends that Xanthos short term. A management plan, including and Letoon be included on the World Heritage List environmental control and a study of the on the basis of criteria ii and iii. preservation of the monuments, which are Criterion ii. Xanthos directly influenced Lycia threatened by seasonal rising of the ground throughout Antiquity, as can be seen for example at watertable at Letoon, is extremely desirable. the archaeological sites of Yatara or Pinara. However, it also considerably influenced the Committee Decision neighboring provinces. The Halicarnassus Bureau (1988): The Bureau recommended Mausoleum, which the Ancients ranked as one of inscription of this property on the World Heritage the Seven Wonders of the World, is a direct List, on condition that the Turkish authorities extend descendant of Xanthos' Nereid Monument. the perimeter of protection of the site so that the zones of necropolises be included and that Criterion iii. Xanthos and Letoon bear exceptional assurances be given that the environment will be testimony to the Lycian civilization, both through the protected. many epigraphic texts found on the 2 sites as well Session (1988): The Committee was pleased to as by the remarkable funerary monuments note the assurances of the Turkish authorities to preserved there or originating from the area. protect the site within a larger perimeter. The famous trilingual inscription in Lycian, Aramaic and Greek dating back to 358 B.C. (Year I in the • No information available on whether the reign of Artaxerxes III Okhos) was discovered near Statement of Significance adequately defines the temple of Artemis in the Letoon. Furthermore, it the outstanding universal value of the site is in Xanthos and Letoon that one also finds the • No need to seek a decision from the Committee longest and most important texts in the Lycian on changes to the statement of significance language: most of them are carved in rock or on • Short new text is proposed as a Statement of huge monoliths. They cannot be moved and are the Significance is provided: “Xanhtos which major monuments of a unique Indo-European illustrates the Lycian traditions and Hellenic language that disappeared long ago. influence, and one of the religious centers of The rock art tombs, pillar tombs and pillar-mounted Lycia are crucial for understanding the history sarcophagi represent a novel type of funerary and culture of Lycian people with remarkable architecture. The rich series of Lycian tombs in monuments and inscription” Xanthos and Letoon enable us to fully understand the successive acculturation phenomena that took Boundaries and Buffer Zone place in Lycia from the 6th century B.C. on. • Status of boundaries of the site: adequate • No buffer zone has been defined, further work ICOMOS Observations: needed; No need to seek a decision from the Committee on changes to the buffer zone The Xanthos site encompasses an archaeological zone more or less embracing the ancient town. Status of Authenticity/Integrity However, a relatively busy dirt path cuts through • World Heritage site values have been the site and a rerouting would be desirable. A maintained comprehensive study of the site layout is essential. As far as the Letoon site is concerned, the 3. Protection protected perimeter is insufficient: the area surrounding the theater is not included and to the Legislative and Administrative Arrangements south, ruins that are probably from the Early • Being declared a "First Degree Archaeological Christian period can clearly be seen emerging from Site", it is subject to Conservation Legislation the alluvial deposits. Moreover, no protection has • Protection arrangements are considered been provided for the vast necropolis zone sufficiently effective stretching along the banks of the Xanthe River between Xanthos and Letoon. 4. Management Given the intensive farming of these fertile alluvial lands and the recent appearance on the landscape Use of site/property of many greenhouses for tomato growing, while the • Visitor attraction

State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II

Management/Administrative Body 10. Scientific Studies • No steering group • Archaeological surveys, visitor Management • No site manager/coordinator, but is needed • The results show the importance of these • Levels of public authority primarily involved with unique archaeological sites the management of the site: national, local

• The current management system is sufficiently effective 11. Education, Information and Awareness 5. Management Plan Building • No management plan • No signs referring to World Heritage site • Within the framework of the revised • World Heritage Convention emblem used on Conservation Legislation put into force in 2004, some publications the preparation of the management plans for • Need of awareness raising of World Heritage the World Heritage sites will be considered site among visitors and local communities primarily • Adequate awareness of World Heritage site among businesses and local authorities 6. Financial Resources • Web site available • No involvement of local participation Financial situation • There is not a core funding. Every year state funds are allocated for various purposes 12. Factors affecting the Property (State of (infrastructure and conservation projects) to the Conservation) related bodies within the site Reactive monitoring reports No extra funding through World Heritage status th • • World Heritage Committee sessions: 15 • Financial assistance by the French Government (1991); 18th (1994) • Funding is insufficient Conservation interventions 7. Staffing Levels • Restoration work on various buildings like theatre, temples • Number of staff: 4 • Present state of conservation: good

Rate of access to adequate professional staff Threats and Risks to site across the following disciplines: • Visitor/tourism pressure, agricultural/forestry • Good: interpretation regimes. Flood at Letoon • Average: conservation, management, • Raising of the water level at Letoon education, visitor management • Promotion: bad Measures taken/proposed • For Letoon a project is planned connecting the site with water canals 8. Sources of Expertise and Training in Conservation and Management Techniques 13. Monitoring • No formal monitoring programme • No information

• Training needs related to bioenvironmental problems of Letoon are not being met 14. Conclusions and Recommended Actions 9. Visitor Management • Main benefits of WH status: conservation, social • Visitor statistics: no figure provided Weaknesses of management: Agricultural • pressure around the site at Letoon • Visitor facilities: Toilets, information books for Letoon Future actions: • Visitor needs: Routing and information panels, • Resize and enlarge the protected area excavation and guard houses, workshops