During December 13-14, 2019, the 8th edition of LIMES FORVM takes place, in Timișoara, at the House of People of Science. Perhaps, if you are not historians or if you have no tangent to this field, you do not know exactly what LIMES is.
LIMES represents the borders of the Roman Empire and has meanwhile become one of the great international historical projects, in which the countries on whose territory the borders of the Roman Empire are found collaborate. The Romanian border on the territory of our country is one of the most spectacular. Every year, LIMES FORVM aims to disseminate the results of the research carried out within the LIMES National Program and the stage of the preparation of the documentation for the inscription in the UNESCO World Heritage of the sites on the Romanian border in Romania.
In this context, I spoke with Mr. Barry Gamble, UNESCO World Heritage expert, who came to visit the National History Museum of Transylvania, precisely to collaborate on the preparation of the file for the inscription of the sites on the Romanian border into UNESCO World Heritage.
Barry Gamble has over 25 years of experience in the field and has also collaborated with the Romanian authorities on other cases: the Brâncusi complex from Târgu-Jiu and Roșia Montană.
– What is the importance of LIMES in the context of World Heritage?
BG: – LIMES is one of the truly international projects, involving many countries. It is, indeed, "world heritage".
– How is the value of a monument or an area as eligible for UNESCO "World Heritage" determined?
BG: – An academic judgment is simply applied, based on the World Heritage Convention, adopted in 1972. According to it, there are six broad criteria for evaluating files. This doesn't mean that a site has to meet all of them to be classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, but it has to get a decent score.
– How many such areas in Romania have entered the UNESCO World Heritage Site?
BG: – 8. And two pending files.
- Which are those?
– The Brâncusi file and the Roșia Montană file.
– Why is Roșia Montană so important in the world context?
BG: – Because there is enormous potential here. Roșia Montană owns the most important Romanian gold mine in the world, located in an area where tourism can develop extremely favorably.
– What do you think about the restoration of World Heritage sites or monuments? There are some specialists who advocate full restoration, others who advocate protecting the area and minimal intervention. What position do you have?
BG: – First of all, any restoration must pass two important tests: 1. that of integrity and 2. that of authenticity. I'm not a follower of lines. Replicas do not mean restoration. They are fakes, however we look at things. And they are good in other contexts, perhaps educational. There are certain guidelines and rules by which the restoration must be done. Especially since there are some reconstructions that completely destroy the authenticity. For example, if one intervenes too much and completely rebuilds a UNESCO World Heritage monument, it could be disqualified.
– Did something like that happen?
BG: – Of course.
– A monument or an area that entered the UNESCO World Heritage could, therefore, lose its status?
BG: – If the protection rules are not applied properly, yes.
– Were there any cases?
BG: – Although it seems hard to believe, it was the case of Germany, for example. With the Dresden area of the Elbe basin. They built a bridge in that cultural area that they were warned did not favor the area from the point of view of heritage value and yet they built it. They lost.
– What do you mean by restoration or reconstruction in relation to the LIMES project?
BG: – Certainly not the complete rebuilding of those towers on the border, as we have seen in other countries. Any reconstruction must be minimal and, above all, reversible. To be able to be taken from the Roman wall without damaging it.
– What are the peculiarities of LIMES in Romania?
BG: – It is phenomenal. One of the most complex and best preserved Roman frontiers. In Romania, impressive "standing" structures can still be observed, while, in many other countries, we talk about LIMES only from an archaeological point of view. The scale and length of the structures is incomparable. Plus, it's the longest piece of LIMES. It has over 1000 km.
– Can only a piece of LIMES be inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage or should it be inscribed as a whole?
BG: – There is no way to be included as a whole, not everywhere is as spectacular, but the one in Romania really has a chance.
– What benefits derive from the inscription of this area in the World Heritage?
BG: – First of all, the most important benefit is actually saving the area. Because the authorities responsible for protecting her will have to follow some rules. So, first of all, CONSERVATION. Second, we are talking about an explosion of the local economy. Any monument or area included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts visitors. These visitors generate tourism and consumption. The economy is growing. The LIMES in Romania represents an area with enormous potential, which can encourage the economy of a fairly extensive region.
An exhibition related to the LIMES project is being prepared for 2020 at the National History Museum of Transylvania. The work has already started, so we invite you to watch the launch.
