Project Objectives
Mosaic pavements constitute a shared inheritance from the Roman world throughout the Mediterranean region. Due to the vast number of mosaics presently at risk, there is an urgency to determine common problems, to promote the exchange of information, and to coordinate efforts in exploring means of better conserving these important historic documents and artistic creations of the past. Working towards this goal, the objective of the Mosaics in Situ project is to enhance the conservation and management of mosaics in the Mediterranean region through:

• contributing to a better understanding of the causes of deterioration of in situ mosaics and the development of methods and approaches to their maintenance and conservation;
• improving the skills of professionals and technicians in the areas of maintenance, conservation, and management planning for mosaics;
• disseminating widely the results of the project.

	Detail of the Orpheus Mosaic, Cyprus

Project Overview
The Getty Conservation Institute's Mosaics in Situ project addresses a number of topics related to the conservation and management of ancient mosaic pavements in situ. Aimed principally at the Mediterranean region, the project builds on and furthers the goals of previous GCI activities in this area, specifically the 1990 and 1993 international courses on conservation and management held in Paphos, Cyprus; a 1995 conference on the conservation of archaeological sites in the Mediterranean; a 2000 workshop on management planning for archaeological sites, held in Corinth, Greece; and co-sponsorship of the 1996 conference of the International Committee for the Conservation of Mosaics (ICCM), held in Nicosia, Cyprus.

The project is currently built on partnerships with three national authorities in two countries. The research program involves collaboration with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and English Heritage (EH). On-going technician training and capacity building in Tunisia is in collaboration with the Institut National du Patrimoine (INP).

Last updated: March, 2006