Special edition
Dates: 10 - 22 October 2016
Place: Archaeological Site of Chicanná, Campeche, Mexico
Organizers
Background
In 2010, an agreement was signed by ICCROM and INAH for collaboration in the LATAM Programme for conservation of cultural heritage in Latin America and the Caribbean. Within this context, a series of activities have been carried out, focusing on stone heritage conservation.
There is an extensive use of stone in cultural heritage in the LATAM region. Stone is found in diverse contexts with very complex challenges for its visual and documentation analysis. This issue has been identified as a priority for developing training activities aimed for professionals involved in its conservation.
In October 2015 a three-week course was held at the archaeological site of Tula (in Central Mexico), entitled "Documentation, Observation and Diagnosis." Participants included archaeologists, conservators, architects and scientists from Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru. The course mainly focussed on the necessity to explore alternatives for observation and documentation of sites in a systematic way, thereby building a more accurate diagnosis.
From this background a second two-week course on observation, documentation and diagnostics will be held in 2016, in order to strengthen this content within INAH and amongst conservation professionals as relates to stone conservation.
The course
The course will comprise two main units:
- Unit 1. Observation
- Unit 2. Documentation
The product obtained at the end of the course will be the diagnosis of case studies at the Maya archaeological site of Chicanná.
The course has the following objectives:
- Provide methodological tools for organized visual observation, documentation and diagnosis of stone cultural heritage;
- Promote the use of a common language in terms of observation, documentation and diagnosis of stone;
- Promote networks of conservation professionals in Mexico and beyond.
Couse development
The course will consist of theoretical and practical sessions on methods of observation and documentation for developing diagnosis of stone heritage, taking as a case study buildings located in the Mayan archaeological site of Chicanná.
Participants will be encouraged to share their practices on stone conservation. Most of the activities will be based on discussion and teamwork.
The course will be conducted in Spanish, although some sessions will be conducted in English. Participants must have good comprehension in both languages.
Participants
The course will host up to 10 participants from the National Institute of Anthropology and History, professionals from other Mexican institutions, and professionals from other countries having hands-on experience with stone cultural heritage. The course team will consist of conservation professionals from CNCPC-INAH and other institutions.
Priority will be given to professionals working in public institutions.
Costs
For INAH staff, transportation costs, accommodation and meals will be covered by CNCPC-INAH. For people outside this institution the course does not have a fee, but all expenses arising from participation will be responsibility of the participant or the institution to which he/she belongs.