About this lecture
On the 4th – 6th of November 2013 the international meeting “Cultural Heritage Practices: Issues of Archaeological Conservation and Site Preservation” organised in the framework of the EU funded project New Archaeological Research Network for Integrating Approaches to ancient material studies (NARNIA – www.narnia-itn.eu), coordinated by the Archaeological Research Unit of the University of Cyprus,took place. During this event Prof. Nardi presented the outcomes of the conservation project of the Roman city of Zeugma, Turkey. Zeugma archaeological site was in the international spotlight following a cry for attention by the New York Times, in 2000. Zeugma’s invaluable archaeological heritage was threatened by the building of a dam on the Euphrates River, which was going to flood two thirds of the ancient Roman city within a few months.
Thanks to generous funding by the Packard Humanities Institute (PHI) a conservation and excavation emergency plan was implemented. For six months CCA conservators were fighting against time and the rising water level, managing to remove from the site 4000 finds, 160 square meters of surfaces, and to protect 8700 square meters of archaeological structures before the flood. Prof. Nardi also presented the conservation project carried out by CCA in the years following the flood. It involved finds removed from site and 850 square meters of detached polychrome mosaics, now on display in the new Gaziantep Museum.
“Cultural Heritage practices: issues of archaeological conservation and site preservation” was a 3-day training course aimed to provide basic information about current theories, principles, policies and practices related to the conservation of ancient materials and cultural heritage in the Eastern Mediterranean, with some emphasis on sites with mosaics. This training event brought together students, young scholars, academic researchers and policy makers to present and discuss problems encountered in the region related to bad practices, deficiencies, and lessons-to-be-learned in the areas of preventive conservation and preservation of ancient sites and monuments.
Speaker(s): Roberto Nardi
Date: November 5th, 2013
Location(s): University of Cyprus, Nicosia
Organizing Institution(s): University of Cyprus – Archaeological Research Unit