ATHAR-MOSAIKON: Conservation and Management of Mosaics on Archaeological Sites

Dates: 3 - 21 May 2010

Place: Tyre, Lebanon

Course partners

ATHAR partners

• ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property)
• UNESCO World Heritage
• DGCS Directorate General of Development Co-operation, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

MOSAIKON partners

• GCI Getty Conservation Institute
• ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property)
• ICCM International Committee for the Conservation of Mosaics
• Getty Foundation
• Ministry of Culture of Lebanon

Background
In recent years, despite important efforts by national authorities (sometimes backed by international cooperation), the condition of mosaic pavements in the Mediterranean region continues to deteriorate, leading to the degradation and loss of this extraordinary heritage.  Two regional programmes, ATHAR (Conservation of Cultural Heritage in the Arab Region) and MOSAIKON (Conservation of Mosaics in the Mediterranean), are joining together to offer a course to improve the capacity of professionals in the region to conserve and manage the mosaic heritage of the Mediterranean.

ATHAR is a ten-year programme to protect and promote the cultural heritage of the Arab region, and to broaden access, appreciation and understanding of the past. It focuses on the professional development of those institutions and individuals whose task it is to look after this heritage.

MOSAIKON is conceived as a five-year regional programme for the conservation of mosaics in the Mediterranean area, with a special focus in the first phase on countries in the south and east of the Mediterranean. 

Course objectives and methodology
The course 'Conservation and Management of Mosaics on Archaeological Sites' will provide participants with an understanding of the range of issues that affect the preservation of in-situ archaeological mosaics.  Implemented in three distinct phases over the span of approximately ten months, the course is designed to provide learning and practical experience in both classroom and field settings. 

By the end of the course, participants will have acquired a critical approach to the conservation of mosaics by focusing on:

• preventive and more intervention based conservation methodologies for in-situ mosaics;
• mosaics conservation in the context of broader site management issues such as tourism, site presentation, urban encroachment, and development pressures.

Course structure
The three phases of the course are:
Phase 1: Workshop
The course will begin with a three-week workshop to take place in Tyre, Lebanon from 3 to 21 May 2010.  During this phase, participants will be exposed to some of the key issues related to the conservation and management of mosaic pavements including:

• management framework for mosaics conservation;
• documentation strategies for mosaics conservation;
• deterioration mechanisms for in-situ mosaics;
• preventive conservation of in-situ mosaics;
• conservation interventions for in-situ mosaics;
• maintenance and monitoring strategies for in-situ mosaics.

During the workshop, practical work will center on the site of Tyre.  By the end of this phase, participants will produce, with the assistance of the instructors, a program of practical work that they will pursue at their own sites during Phase 2 of the course.  The work program will be tailored to each participant’s working context and specific professional responsibilities.  

Phase 2: Mentoring Phase 2 will take place from 1 June 2010 – 30 January 2011.  During this phase participants will adapt and apply learning they acquired during the workshop to their own sites, carrying out their respective work assignments and submitting progress reports according to the schedule agreed upon with the course instructors.  Throughout this time, instructors will serve as resources or ‘mentors’ to provide additional information and guidance as required. 

Although participants are likely to find that much of the practical work for Phase 2 can be carried out as part of their regular job responsibilities, they may find that some tasks may require extra time.  Participants should therefore plan to spend up to ten hours each month pursuing their work program, completing additional assigned readings, or accessing the course website.   

A course website will serve as a platform for maintaining contact with the instructors and other participants, and for submitting progress reports, exchanging information and developing further knowledge, skills and contacts.  

Phase 3: Review meeting Provided funding is available, the course concludes with a Review Meeting at the end of the Mentoring Phase (exact date, venue and programme to be decided).

Please note that participants are required to take part in all three phases of the course.  A certificate of attendance will be given to those participants who successfully complete all phases of the course.

Working languages
The working languages will be both Arabic and English, with lectures in one or the other language (without translation).  Proficiency in English will be required particularly for research work and reading of reference materials.

Participants and admission
The course is intended for approximately 20 participants with varied profiles (site managers, conservators, archaeologists, architects, planners, tourism development experts, etc.) from the Arab countries. The course is designed for professionals who have already taken part in the ATHAR Core Regional Course or an equivalent training experience.

Admission to the course will be subject to the following selection criteria:

1. Professional background: at least a BA in a relevant field of study.
2. Employment: priority is given to government employees or government-affiliated professionals.
3. Work experience: those who have already gained at least 3 years of practical and research experience in the field will have priority.
4. Letter of intent: candidates are requested to provide a letter stating clearly the reasons for applying to the course, what they hope to learn from it, and how it will benefit them and their institution, country, or future employer.
5. Course participants should have an email account and access to an internet connection.

Financial resources/support
Candidates are strongly encouraged to seek financial support from sources such as governmental institutions, employers and funding agencies. Candidates who are requesting financial support for their participation in the course (accommodation, meals, and travel to/from Lebanon) should include a request, as well as evidence that support has been sought from other sources.  Such requests will be considered based on need and the availability of funding.
 
All participants should also have health and accident insurance. Upon selection, they should return to ICCROM a signed medical and accident participant's release form.

Applications
Please use the application form available on the ICCROM web site. Applications should be endorsed by the relevant ministry (e.g. Ministry of Culture or Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities) in the candidate’s home country. The completed forms should be sent to the following address:

ATHAR Programme, ICCROM
Via di San Michele 13
00153 Rome
Italy
Email: athar (at) iccrom . org

Application deadline: 15 December 2009

Course partners will make the final selection of applicants according to the requirements outlined above.