Research, Analysis and Preservation of Archaeological Sites and Remains

Place: Nara, Japan

Organizers

In cooperation with:

Background

In the Asia and the Pacific region there are various forms of cultural heritage which are of great value from a global point of view. In order to safeguard this important cultural heritage for future generations, it is necessary to train heritage professionals for proper investigation, analysis and preservation. ACCU Nara Office, in partnership with ICCROM and Bunkacho, has been organizing training courses since 2000 on this topic with a view to building the capacities of professionals who have been involved in cultural heritage protection in the region. This training course aims to provide participants with the latest knowledge and technologies in the fields of investigation, preservation, maintenance and management of archaeological sites and remains.

Objectives

The objectives of the training course are:

  • to provide participants with a knowledge of the principles and methodologies for protection of archaeological sites and remains;
  • to provide participants with knowledge and skills-based techniques for the recording and analysis of archaeological sites and remains;
  • to provide participants with knowledge and skills-based techniques for the preservation, management and utilisation of archaeological sites and remains;
  • to provide participants with an opportunity to establish networks with colleagues from the region and share their experiences.

Training Curriculum

Lectures:

  • Global trends in conservation of archaeological sites
  • The cultural property protection system in Japan
  • Introduction to conservation science

Practical Training and On-site Lectures:

  • Workshop on Recording/Documentation of Archaeological Sites and Remains:
    (Actual Measurement, Photography)
  •  Study Tour on Management of Museums and World Heritage Site
  • Study Tour on Preservation, Development and Utilisation of Archaeological Sites

Presentations and Discussion:

  • Presentations by participants on the current status of archaeological conservation in each country, and exchange of views
  • Discussion on future issues and vision of the conservation of archaeological sites
  • Summary of the training sessions

 Participants in the Training Course

Application Procedure and Content:
The training course is offered to participants from the following 40 signatory countries to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (see below). The application form should be submitted no later than 10 June (Friday) 2016 along with the endorsement of the UNESCO National Commission in the country concerned. The documents necessary for application are as follows:

(1) Application Form (Form 1)
Please attach a copy of the applicant’s passport, if he/she has a valid passport as of 30 August 2016. This is not necessary if he/she does not currently have a passport.

(2) This achievement report should be written by the applicant and should comprise a brief summary of the reason for applying and the present and previous work related to the theme of archaeological heritage conservation (2 to 3 pages). This report should be no longer than 5 pages on A4 sized paper. It will weigh heavily in the selection of participants.

(3) Letter of Recommendation by NATCOM

(4) Letter of Recommendation by the head of the organization to which the applicant belongs (Annex 1)

(5) Certification for English proficiency (if obtained)

Completed applications should be sent to the secretariat of the ACCU Nara Office at the address below by post and/or e-mail. Only complete applications with all necessary documents will be considered.

The following are the 40 signatories of the World Heritage Convention from Asia and the Pacific: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyz, Lao P.D.R., Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rep. of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga ,Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam.

Qualification Requirements

Applicants should be limited to those with the following qualifications:

1) those who are professionals, 45 years old or younger on 30 August 2016, who are engaged in the conservation, preservation, restoration or management of archaeological sites and artefacts, and who can make effective use of the results of the training course upon returning to their home countries;

2) those who have a good command of English, the working language for all lectures, so that they can deliver presentations and write reports from the training sessions (ACCU Nara Office and ICCROM shall be allowed to utilise the entire contents of all presentations and reports, including drawings and photographs, for future publication and cultural heritage protection programmes);

3) those who can attend the entire training programme;

4) those who are in good health and able to participate in the training programme;

5) those who submit all of the required documents (listed above) by the stated deadlines;

6) those who will most likely continue to exchange information and interact with ACCU after returning to their home countries;

7) those who were not previous participants in training courses on Cultural Heritage Protection in the Asia-Pacific Region; Research, Analysis and Preservation of Archaeological Sites and Remains organized by ACCU Nara Office.

Notification of Screening Results

After consulting with the other organizers, ACCU Nara Office will select 16 people (one participant per nation, in principle) from among all applicants in late July. Successful applicants will be informed of the results along with each National Commission for UNESCO.

Certificate of Completion

Each participant is awarded a certificate upon completion of the course.

Language of the Training Session

English is the working language throughout the course.

Expenses

Expenses during the Training Course shall be borne by ACCU Nara, as follows:

(1) Travelling expenses:
Each of the participants (except those from Australia, Brunei, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, and Singapore) shall be provided with an economy class return air ticket from the nearest international airport from their residence to Kansai International Airport, and transportation fees between Kansai International Airport and Nara. Expenses for visa application shall be the responsibility of participants.

(2) Living expenses:
Participants shall, in principle, be provided the basic living expenses incurred from the day before the training course to the day after the final day, i.e. 29 August (Monday) – 30 September (Friday) 2016, according to ACCU Nara Office’s regulations. Arrangements for accommodation (a room for single occupancy) during the training course will be made by ACCU Nara Office. In case a participant needs accommodation on the way to and/or from Japan for any unavoidable reason (such as visa application or limited flight connections), ACCU Nara Office will cover the accommodation expenses.

Secretariat

Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office,
Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU Nara)
Nara Pref. Nara General Office,
757 Horen-cho, Nara 630-8113 JAPAN
Tel: +81-(0)742-20-5001 Fax: +81-(0)742-20-5701
E-mail: nara (at) accu.or.jp