UNESCO has included Tell Umm Ame in Gaza among 24 new World Heritage sites for 2024, encompassing historic buildings, archaeological areas, natural wonders, and cultural sites selected for their outstanding universal value.
The designation, designed to safeguard these important sites for future generations, brings the total to 1,223 properties on the World Heritage List from 170 countries.
Other newly added sites include archaeological locations in South Africa showcasing modern human behaviour development, the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Brazil known for its stunning dunes and lagoons, and the Royal Court of Tiébélé in Burkina Faso with a historic architectural complex.
Tell Umm Amer, an ancient monastery in Gaza Strip at the birthplace by Saint Hilarion, was added to both the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Ireland has two sites and three tentative sites on the list: Brú na Bóinne added in 2003 Sceilg Mhichíl added in 2010. Three sites are on the tentative list, The Royal Sites of Ireland: Cashel, Dún Ailinne, Uisneach, Rathcroghan and Tara added in 2010, Valentia as part of the Transatlantic Cable Ensemble, the Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo both added in 2023.
The 24 additions:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Vjetrenica Cave: Ravno
- Brazil: Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
- Burkina Faso: Royal Court of Tiébélé
- China: Badain Jaran Desert
- China: Beijing Central Axis
- England: The Flow Country
- Ethiopia: Melka Kunture and Balchit
- French Pacific: Marquesas Islands: Te Henua Enata
- Germany: Schwerin Residence Ensemble
- India: Moidams
- Iran: Hegmataneh
- Italy: Via Appia
- Japan: Sado Island Gold Mines
- Jordan: Umm Al-Jimāl
- Kenya: Historic Town and Archeological Site of Gedi
- Malaysia: Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex
- Palestine: Saint Hilarion Monastery / Tell Umm Amer
- Romania: Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu
- Romania: Frontiers of the Roman Empire
- Russia: Cultural Landscape of Kenozero Lake
- Saudi Arabia: Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area
- South Africa: Nelson Mandela Legacy sites
- South Africa: Pleistocene Occupation Sites
- Thailand: Phu Phrabat Bat Historical Park