Project News

The appropriate selection of materials depending on the condition of the artifacts is an essential issue for any conservation works of cultural heritage. JICA GEM-CC project organizes the training course of "Materials in conservation" and aim to develop the knowledge of conservators and scientists in GEM-CC about the materials both on the physical and chemical aspects.

JICA GEM-CC project held the 2nd training course from 4th till 15th May, 2014. JICA dispatched Dr. Yoshiko Shimazu, assistant professor of the National Museum of Japanese History, as a lecturer of this course. Total 17 trainees were selected to this training course; 9 of them had also participated in the first training course held in Japan in 2012.

Conservators in GEM-CC have limited knowledge of the materials, therefore it is necessary to develop their knowledge in order to adopt adequate conservation methods at the time of treatment. There are also gaps of knowledge and experience among staffs and laboratories.

The training course started from the lecture on the ethics and safety awareness in the use of the conservation materials. The main practical training was done by groups especially focused on the adhesives and consolidants. The trainees also visited the wood lab, heavy lab, organic lab and inorganic lab, have reviewed present method in their actual conservation treatment, and exchanged their opinions on the use of materials. The knowledge of this course would help the trainees to open their mind toward the wide variations of the use of materials, and to select the most suitable method of conservation treatment depending on the types and condition of the objects. Trainees also recognized the importance of sharing knowledge between conservators and scientists, which would follow up the disadvantage in their knowledge and would lead them for the selection of the adequate materials for conservation.

It was also remarkable challenge that the training coordinator was assigned from GEM-CC for the first time. The coordinator supported a series of management of the training course; the preparation of instruments and materials, supported the lecture and practical training during the course, shared information among the trainees, and also led follow-up activities after the training course. This joint management would be a first step to develop the experience of self-management of the workshop by GEM-CC as a future core center of the heritage conservation in the region of Middle East and North Africa.

[Comments of the Trainees]

- Mr. Ahmed Mahmoud Abu El Khair said: This training course was really helpful for me to choose the materials for conservation. I want to learn more science and chemistry related to the material. I hope scientists in GEM-CC hold more lecture for conservators as they have rich knowledge in science and chemistry.

- Mr. Makhmoud Anis (coordinator): "It was great experience for me to have worked as a coordinator that would develop my future career in management. Also I would try to share the information to other conservators and scientists who did not have the opportunity to participate in this training course.

Lecture on the conservation ethics.

Presentation by trainees on the actual conservation works

Practical training on the adhesive and consolidants

Practical training on the adhesive and consolidants by Dr.Shimazu.