Call for applications: Introductory Courses on Conservation and Restoration of Archaeological Finds from Underwater Environments, 2015

1. Introduction

The International Centre for Underwater Archaeology (ICUA) is organizing two courses on the restoration and conservation of underwater archaeological finds, to be held in Zadar, Croatia during the 16 – 27 November and 30 November – 11 December, 2015 periods. The courses are organized with the support of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (UNESCO Venice Office), within the framework of the annual contribution by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy to the UNESCO Venice Office.

The two courses will follow the same training programme and each will be open to 4 trainees. The aim of the courses is to provide practical and theoretical training in the restoration and conservation of underwater archaeological finds. The training programme will consist in practical work conducted under the supervision of mentors at the workshops of the International Centre for Underwater Archaeology (ICUA) in Zadar. Trainees will have the opportunity to work on the various materials treated at the three main workshops, dedicated to metal, ceramic and glass, and organic finds. The training will be delivered by ICUA Zadar staff, based on the ICUAtwo-week Introductory Course programme and standards. At the end of the course the trainees will take an exam on the theoretical and practical components, after which they will be entitled to a certificate confirming that they have completed the ICUA course for specialized conservators/restorers of underwater archaeological finds.

The present Call for applications is open to citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Montenegro, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Turkey.

Applications will be assessed and selected jointly by ICUA and UNESCO based on professional and educational profiles as presented in the application documents. Priority will be given to applicants already employed in public institutions (either at local or at central level) responsible for the safeguarding and management of cultural heritage. Possible letters of support from the respective National Commissions for UNESCO, and/or ministries of culture will be considered as an added value. Geographical and gender balance will be sought as much as possible in the selection of applications, and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

A total of 8 candidates will be selected and divided in two groups (4 trainees per course).

Selected candidates will be entitled to participate in the course free of charge and will receive free board and lodging in Zadar during the course, as well as a textbook, work overalls and t-shirt. No daily allowance or contributions to travel costs will be paid.

Prospective candidates are kindly requested to submit their application letters, curriculum vitae (CV) and letters of support by e-mail to the workshop head, Antonija Jozić at ajozic@icua.hr, with copy to Matteo Rosati, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, m.rosati@unesco.org.

Only applications sent no later than October 2, 12.30pm will be considered.

2. Training Programme

The two-week course on the conservation and restoration of underwater archaeological finds provides an introduction to conservation-restoration theory and techniques. During the course participants will be acquainted with work on all materials and spend a few days in each of the three workshops dedicated to different materials. The training consists of one theoretical and one practical component, subject to the interests, abilities and knowledge of the selected trainees, during which they will have the opportunity to work hands on during various phases of the conservation-restoration of small objects (in accordance with the duration of the course).

3. The Conservation and Restoration of Underwater Archaeological Finds made of Ceramic and Glass - programme

Prepared by: Martina Ćurković

Introductory Course
• Documenting the initial condition
• Evaluating the state of conservation and establishing a conservation-restoration work plan
• Cleaning the artefact
• A brief introduction to the desalination procedure
• Consolidation
• Bonding and gluing fragments
• Small integrations of missing sections
• Retouching
• Final protection

4. The Conservation and Restoration of Underwater Archaeological Finds made of Metal - programme

Prepared by: Antonija Jozić
Introductory Course
• Getting acquainted with the types and causes of the deterioration of archaeological metal
• Getting acquainted with the phases of conservation-restoration operations
• Getting acquainted with the procedure for the desalination of underwater archaeological artefacts made of metal
• Mechanical cleaning of underwater archaeological artefacts made of metal
• The micro sandblasting procedure
• The use of various hand and power tools
• Getting acquainted with the methods of actively stabilising metal artefacts
• Applying final protection substances

5. The Conservation and Restoration of Underwater Archaeological Finds of Organic Origin - programme

Prepared by: Marina Šimičić
Introductory Course
• Getting acquainted with the types and causes of the deterioration of archaeological organic material
• Getting acquainted with the phases of conservation-restoration operations
• Getting acquainted with the procedure for the desalination of underwater archaeological artefacts of organic origin
• Cleaning underwater archaeological artefacts of organic origin
• Getting acquainted with the methods of impregnation
• Removing excess impregnation substances
• Monitoring the drying process
• Integration and integration toning
• The importance of compiling documentation and of the adequate storage of restored artefacts of organic origin