Discovering Samples Archives - Online webinar, Nov 2021

An ICCROM 2-day poster session and online roundstable webinar​

Many outstanding and important collections of heritage sample materials are well-managed. However, as highlighted in the keynote lecture by Professor Rehren (from minute 6 in the Day 1 recording), a major source of such samples is mostly overlooked: short-term research projects and PhD thesis.

Discovering Sample Archives

The Heritage Samples Archives Initiative was launched by ICCROM in September 2020 to promote the long-term survival and use of  cultural heritage collections around the world, which hold samples collected from heritage objects and sites, reference materials and replicas, and specialised historical collections. 

These historic resources are non-renewable and have huge potential for future research and didactic purposes, but they are often little known, and their value under recognized.

Watch the recording of the workshop for Day 1 and Day 2

Workshop programme

Through Shattered Glass - international workshop, Jan 2022

focused on ancient glass fragments, their analysis, reconstruction and conservation​

The AUB Archaeological Museum glass collection before and after the August 2020 explosion.

The American University Beirut Archaeological Museum Glass Collection

The AUB Archaeological Museum is situated 3.2 km from the Beirut port and was not spared from the colossal August 4, 2020 explosion, sustaining heavy damage to its windows and doors. One central showcase containing 74 well-preserved archaeological glass objects was toppled by the force of the blast, shattering its priceless artifacts. The glass vessels​ date back to the Early Roman, Byzantine and Islamic periods, and their destruction constitutes an unreplaceable loss.

In close collaboration with the AUB we are engaged in the scientific analysis of the glass, to learn more about the objects even after their destruction.

Through Shattered Glass Workshop information    

Archaeometallurgy - fieldwork in Morocco

Reconstructing the chaîne opératoire of Early Medieval copper metallurgy in Southern Morocco

The project is based on the analysis of a range of metallurgical remains, including crucibles, slag and some metal, both raw and finished objects. Most of the initial research will be conducted at STARC using a suite of already-collected material, with further sampling expected in southern Morocco in early 2023, for a month-long field season as part of a team led by colleagues from the l'Institut National des Sciences de l'Archéologie et du Patrimoine (INSAP), Morocco, and the British Museum, UK. The research includes sample selection and documentation in Morocco, sample preparation and analytical work using optical and electron microscopy at STARC, and cooperation with external laboratories for other analytical work, such as trace element and stable heavy isotope analyses. 

Tamdult Project information     |     

Promised Summer School 2021: Dates now set to 26 to 31 July

Ancient Landscapes: Raw Materials and Natural Resources
The first two days of the summer school will take place at the STARC Laboratories at the CyI campus in Nicosia, followed by four days at the village of Pedoulas in the Troodos mountain; local transport and shared-room accommodation are included in the booking fees. Full details including costs, programme, Covid precautions and how to book can be found here. 

Promised Project page     |     Promised Summer School 2021   |

14 fully-funded studentships in Pre-modern Plasters and Ceramics offered

PlaCe-ITN
The Cyprus Institute was recently awarded a major H2020 grant to support the training of the next generation of archaeological scientists in pre-modern plasters and ceramics. The MSCA-ITN PlaCe is led by A.G. Leventis Professor Thilo Rehren and Dr Maria Dikomitou, Associate Research Scientist at the Cyprus Institute.

A special feature of PlaCe are short-term (6 months) fellowships for visiting PhD students - apply by 14 June for 2021-22 academic year!

PlaCe Project   |     PlaCe Fellows     |     6-months Fellowships