UNESCO clears five Algerian royal tombs for review

UNESCO has said that Algeria's file on five royal tombs of ancient times meets its technical rules, opening the way to a review by its advisory bodies.

The Ministry of Culture and Arts announced the step, and Algérie 360 reported the details. The ministry said it saw the file as a sign of international recognition for the monuments.

Of the 60 nominations submitted worldwide, 35 passed this first filter, the ministry said. The other files will not go further for now.

The file covers the period from the 4th century BC to the 6th century AD, almost a thousand years. During that time, the dynasties that ruled the territory built royal tombs.

The proposal covers five sites, stretching from the coast to the Sahara. The Imedghassen mausoleum, in Batna wilaya, is the oldest of them.

A tomb attributed to Massinissa lies at Khroub, in the Constantinois. The royal tomb of Siga, at Aïn Témouchent, is linked to the former Numidian capital.

In the Hoggar, at Abalessa in Tamanrasset, the funerary monument is linked to Tin Hinan.

At Frenda in Tiaret wilaya, the Djedars form a group of perched mausoleums.

Inventory surveys in the south have recorded 510 archaeological sites in the Tassili n'Ajjer, where funerary structures make up most of the count.

Passing this stage does not guarantee listing. The advisory bodies will examine the scientific content of the file, the condition of the sites and their management plans.

They will also assess what UNESCO calls outstanding universal value, before the World Heritage Committee decides on listing.