Giora Solar, the Getty Conservation Institute's director of field projects since 1995, resigned from his position at the Institute, effective March 2000, to return to Israel, where he will be pursuing fieldwork in the Mediterranean region.

During his time at the GCI, Solar oversaw work on a number of Institute projects, including the conservation of the bas-reliefs of the Royal Palaces of Abomey in Benin, the conservation of the St. Vitus mosaic in Prague, the mosaics in situ research and training project in the Mediterranean region, and the documentation of the Yanhuitlan retablo in Mexico and the Tel-Dan Gate in Israel. Prior to his appointment at the GCI, Solar was director of the Conservation Section of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Jeanne Marie Teutonico, special advisor to the director of the GCI, will assume oversight for the Field Projects Group until a new director for the group is appointed.