Following is a letter sent by the President of the Historical Heritage Protection Foundation, Dr. Sabit Osman Avci, to UNESCO in an effort to prevent further destruction of the ancient city of Ani.

Francis Childe
Chief, Europe, Asia and the Pacific
UNESCO
Division of Cultural Heritage
1 rue Miollis
75732 Paris Cedex 15
France

9th November 2004 

Dear Mr Childe

Damage by quarrying to the ruins and archaeological remains of the medieval city of Ani

A quarry was opened to the eastern side of the Arpa Chai gorge to quarry stone for the new cathedral in Yerevan, which was inaugurated in 2001. However, since then, a further seven quarries have been opened, not only putting the environment of this unique ancient city (the capital of medieval Armenia) at risk, but also posing severe threats to its natural setting.

Although they did not initially succeed, ICOMOS Turkey tried to get Ani put on the Turkish Tentative List of World Heritage Sites the last time this was revised. Hopefully, they may be more successful the next time. However, although Ani itself lies within Turkey, the buffer zone for any World Heritage nomination would have to include territory in the Republic of Armenia. We know that this matter has been discussed with the Armenian authorities by UNESCO experts.

Could we call on your good offices to raise this matter with the appropriate authorities in the Republic of Armenia, as we know you are in contact with them? It would be such a disaster if this major site, which is undoubtedly of outstanding universal value (as already suggested by ICOMOS Turkey) should receive irreparable damage through unconsidered commercial exploitation and, moreover, what we hope will be its eventual status as a World Heritage Site put at risk by compromising the authenticity of its setting.


Yours Sincerely


Sabit Osman Avci
President

Photographs of the quarrying to the eastern side of the Arpa Chai gorge

 

 

 

The Historical Heritage Protection Foundation-Turkey Bankalar Cad. Yanikkapi Sk. 7/9 Karakoy Istanbul Tel/Fax:+90 212 253 99 86 Email:info@tmkv.org Web: www.tmkv.org