Wadi Rum Protected Area

Brief synthesis

Wadi Rum Protected Area (WRPA) is located in the southern part of Jordaneast of the Rift Valley and south of the steep escarpment of the central Jordanian plateau. It comprises an area of 74,200 hectares. WRPA’s natural values include desert landforms developed within continental sandstones. These landforms have been developed under the influence of a combination of various controlling factorssuch as lithologytectonic activities (including rapid upliftnumerous faults and joints) and surface processes (including various types of weathering and erosion associated with desert climate as well as humid climates in the past)representing million years of ongoing landscape evolution.

Widespread petroglyphsinscriptions and archaeological remains testify to 12,000 years of human occupation and interaction with the natural environmentillustrating the evolution of pastoralagricultural and urban human activity in the Arabian Peninsula and the environmental history of the region.

Criterion (iii): The rock artinscriptions and archaeological evidence in WRPA can be considered an exceptional testimony of the cultural traditions of its early inhabitants. The combination of 25,000 petroglyphs20,000 inscriptionsand 154 archaeological sites provides evidence to continuity of habitation and land-use over a period of at least 12,000 years. The petroglyphsrepresenting human and animal figuresare engraved on bouldersstonesand cliff faces. They provide evidence of long-term patterns of pastoralagricultural and urban human activity in the property. Engravings indicate an elaborate sense of aesthetics in a pictorial cultureand the archaeological findings span all eras from the Neolithic to the Nabataean. ThamudicNabataean and numerous Arabic inscriptions in four different scripts testify to the widespread literacy among its pastoral societies.

Criterion (v): The variety of landforms at WRPA has played an essential role in fostering human settlement. The rock artinscriptions and water catchment systems document the settlements of successive communitieswhich developed in areas of mobile animal husbandry and agriculture and form part of a wider context of human interaction with the semi-arid eastern desert environment of the Arabian Peninsula. WRPA assists the understanding of the continuum of settled and mobile lifes in a desert landscape illustrating the adaptability and ingenuity of human communities who have made the most of scarce resources to sustain continuous presence after the climate became dryer in the Bronze Age (3rd millennium BC).

Criterion (vii): WRPA is recognised globally as an iconic desert landscaperenowned for its spectacular series of sandstone mountains and valleysnatural archesand the range of narrow gorgestowering cliffsmassive landslidesand dramatic cavernous weathering forms displayed. Key attributes of the aesthetic values of the property include the diversity and sheer size of its landformstogether with the mosaic of coloursvistas into both narrow canyons and very large wadisand the scale of the cliffs. The property displaysin a protected settingan exceptional combination of landforms resulting from drainage incisionsevere weathering by saltbiological and other processesand the undermining of steep sandstone cliffs by these weathering processestogether with the world’s most spectacular networks of honeycomb weathering features. Its associations with the writings of T.E. Lawrencestressed strongly in the nominationhave ensured a high profile for the property and have reinforced its reputation of the area as a classic desert landscape both globally and within the Arab States.

Integrity

Since the identification of Wadi Rum as a potential nature reserve in 1978 the various landforms and cultural resources have been managed in a shared frameworkwhich prevented extensive development impacts and maintained the landscape character of the property. The buffer zone of Rum Village contains significant cultural property values and the cultural landscape character of the property reaches even beyond the mostly 5 kilometers perimeter of the buffer zone.

Authenticity

The rock art remains in its original settinglargely unaltered except for the effects of weatheringwhich has led to its fading as result of rain and wind erosionleaving some petroglyphs hard to distinguish. In addition modern graffiti has a negative impact on several of the original drawings and inscriptions. Howeverthe fact that so many petroglyphs and inscriptions have been documented means that their ability to convey the cultural traditions of the people who made them continues and that they qualify as an important resource for research.

Protection and management requirements

WRPA was established in 1997 following cabinet decision no. 27/11/3226 (1997) and extended in 2002following decision 224/11/1/986 (2002). It is further recognized as an archaeological site under the Law of the Department of Antiquities no. 21 (1988) and constitutes a Special Regulation Area under the Administration of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone. In addition to the existing protection for the propertyspecial consideration may need to be given to archaeological artefacts to prevent their removal from the property.

The primary plan guiding the management and development program of WRPA is the Aqaba Special Economic Zone land use planwhich covers the whole governorate of Aqaba and is administrated by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority. The property has an up to date management plan and an effective management unitincluding rangers and other staff is dedicated to the management of the property. The management plan should provide emphasis to the management of the natural and cultural values of the property.  A comprehensive survey and inventory of the natural and cultural resourcesconservation and interpretation programme of the values of the propertyand cooperation with antiquity authorities as management partners are all required. The WRPA requires continuous monitoringpreventive conservation of natural and cultural resourcesand periodic updating of the management plan.

A number of threats that have been identified require careful attention. In this context priority should be given to the impacts of visitor pressurein particular car tracks and tourism infrastructurebut also the potential encroachment of the village of Rumgroundwater exploitation and firewood collection by local people.  The wider tourism and planning policies for the propertyits buffer zone and wider setting also should prioritise the protection of its Outstanding Universal Value.