Five World Heritage Sites in Libya (including Sabratha, pictured) have been placed on UNESCO's list of locations in danger, the organization citing conflict in the region.
Five World Heritage Sites in Libya (including Sabratha, pictured) have been placed on UNESCO's list of locations in danger, the organization citing conflict in the region.
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Nada Al Hassan, chief of the Arab states unit at UNESCO, describes bulldozers encroaching on the ancient site of Cyrene (pictured), once a Hellenic city that adapted to Roman rule before succumbing to an earthquake in 365 AD.
Nada Al Hassan, chief of the Arab states unit at UNESCO, describes bulldozers encroaching on the ancient site of Cyrene (pictured), once a Hellenic city that adapted to Roman rule before succumbing to an earthquake in 365 AD.
UNESCO
Al Hassan says ancient tombs have already been vandalized, and bulldozers are disturbing ground-level artifacts -- some of which have yet to be excavated.
Al Hassan says ancient tombs have already been vandalized, and bulldozers are disturbing ground-level artifacts -- some of which have yet to be excavated.
UNESCO
Sabratha, once a Phoenician trading post on the Mediterranean, sits within a conflict zone at present -- the reason for its listing. Other sites have been added preemptively, Al Hassan saying lessons have been learned from the nature of the conflict in Syria, which escalated to swallow up new areas of the country.
Sabratha, once a Phoenician trading post on the Mediterranean, sits within a conflict zone at present -- the reason for its listing. Other sites have been added preemptively, Al Hassan saying lessons have been learned from the nature of the conflict in Syria, which escalated to swallow up new areas of the country.
UNESCO
Leptis Magna was the birthplace of Roman emperor Septimius Severus, who built upon the city, embellishing it with public monuments, a market place and residential areas.
Leptis Magna was the birthplace of Roman emperor Septimius Severus, who built upon the city, embellishing it with public monuments, a market place and residential areas.
UNESCO
The city was known as one of the most beautiful in the Roman Empire, featuring an incredible amphitheater with a view of the Mediterranean.
The city was known as one of the most beautiful in the Roman Empire, featuring an incredible amphitheater with a view of the Mediterranean.
JOSEPH EID/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Stones bearing Latin scripture litter the ancient city, located in al-Khums, 80 miles from the capital Tripoli.
Stones bearing Latin scripture litter the ancient city, located in al-Khums, 80 miles from the capital Tripoli.
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At Tadrart Acacus, near the border with Algeria, thousands of works of rock art can be found in a variety of styles, dating from 100 AD all the way back to 12,000 BC, representing the change of environment and ways of life in this area of North Africa.
At Tadrart Acacus, near the border with Algeria, thousands of works of rock art can be found in a variety of styles, dating from 100 AD all the way back to 12,000 BC, representing the change of environment and ways of life in this area of North Africa.
UNESCO
The old town of Ghadames, known as the 'pearl of the desert' and one of the oldest pre-Saharan cites is currently described as in a "volatile" location by Al Hassan.
The old town of Ghadames, known as the 'pearl of the desert' and one of the oldest pre-Saharan cites is currently described as in a "volatile" location by Al Hassan.
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