The 11th Conference of the International Committee for the Conservation of Mosaics (ICCM), with the theme Managing Archaeological Sites with Mosaics: From Real Problems to Practical Solutions, took place in Meknes, Morocco, 23–27 October 2011. The conference was organized by ICCM, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Morocco, the financial support of the Getty Foundation, and the collaboration of the University of Cyprus and ICCROM. Attended by approximately 200 persons from 29 countries, a total of nearly 80 papers and posters were presented. Activities of the MOSAIKON initiative were presented in a general paper and in a number of posters that described the multiple activities of the initiative in greater detail. Participants of MOSAIKON’s first training course for site managers also presented their projects. Highlights of the conference included guided visits to the Medina of Meknes, the archaeological site of Volubilis, and the historic center of Fez. Antonio Cassio was honored for his long and distinguished career as a mosaic artist and restorer. The ICCM Board was elected for 2011–2014 and includes ten members from Algeria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Syria, the UK, and the USA.

The MOSAIKON pilot course for conservation technicians/restorers of lifted mosaics has been developed by Centro di Conservazione Archaeologica (CCA), with the collaboration of the Directorate General for Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) in Syria and support from the Getty Foundation. Participants recently completed the first module of the two-year course at the headquarters of the CCA in Belmonte, Italy, during which they were introduced to documentation methods for lifted mosaics. Further components will cover different aspects of mosaic conservation including material deterioration, treatment, and maintenance, including issues related to the design and organization of museum storage. Currently, each participant is developing an individual project to be implemented at his or her home institution, and together they presented a poster of their work at the recent ICCM conference.

Significantly revised and updated in the context of the MOSAIKON initiative, and in preparation for the upcoming MOSAIKON regional technician training course for in situ mosaics, this handbook provides methodologies for written, graphic, and photographic documentation; as well as information on topics ranging from the deterioration of mosaics, to lime-based mortars and their use for stabilization treatments, to the fundamentals of mosaic reburial—an indispensable preventive conservation intervention. These didactic materials are a reference document for conservation mosaic technicians during and after training and are meant to accompany theoretical lessons and practical training on site. Available in English, French, and Arabic on the GCI website: Technician Training for the Maintenance of In Situ Mosaics, 2011 Edition. Also available for purchase in English and French at the Getty Conservation Institute's storefront on Lulu.

The partners and team members of MOSAIKON would like to take this opportunity to express their gratitude to Dr. Mounir Bouchenaki, Director General of ICCROM 2006–2011. Dr. Bouchenaki has been a vital partner of the MOSAIKON initiative, whose dedication and commitment was a driving force in developing the MOSAIKON initiative. We wish Dr. Bouchenaki all the best in his new endeavors and will continue to count on his wisdom and guidance as we advance the MOSAIKON initiative.