Tourists visiting the Hellenistic and Roman archaeological site of Ephesus in western Turkey. The Ephesus theater, seen in the background, was the largest in Asia Minor. Preservation of the world's archaeological resources will ultimately depend upon greater integration of conservation into the practice of archaeology. Photo: Guillermo Aldana.

A Responsibility for the Past: Integrating Conservation and Archaeology
The stereotype of the archaeological conservator is someone who mends pots, stabilizes waterlogged artifacts, or achieves miracles of restoration. In fact, conservation encompasses more than just the care of objects. Conservation professionals include individuals with backgrounds ranging from geology and chemistry to architecture and engineering. These professionals can and should play an integral role in the preservation of archaeological sites. But for that to happen, archaeologists need a new perspective on archaeological conservation, one in which conservation is the top priority whenever fieldwork is planned.

Closing the Divide: A Discussion about Archaeology and Conservation
In a world where archaeological sites face a variety of threats to their survival, how much have the principles of conservation and preservation found their way into the practice of archaeology? Archaeologists Angel Cabeza, Brian Egloff, and Tim Williams and tourism expert Eugenio Yunis address this and other questions with the GCI's Neville Agnew, Martha Demas, and Jeffrey Levin.

Conservation at the Core of Archaeological Strategy: The Case of Ancient Urkesh at Tell Mozan
For too long conservation has been considered extrinsic to archaeology, rather than a basic part of the process. As a result, its potential for contributing from within to the articulation of archaeological methods and to the development of theoretical arguments has not been fully realized. But such an approach—integrating conservation into archaeological work at a site—has been central to excavations at Tell Mozan, the location of ancient Urkesh in northeastern Syria.

Of the Past, for the Future: A Coalition for Change at the Fifth World Archaeological Congress
The World Archaeological Congress is an international organization of practicing archaeologists, which holds meetings every four years. The fifth congress is the first to include a major theme on the conservation of archaeological sites and materials. Organized by a coalition of organizations led by the GCI, these conservation sessions are intended to reach out to the archaeology profession and to communicate a message of holistic conservation, stressing the partnership role that conservation can play in archaeology.

GCI News: Projects, Events, Publications and Staff
Updates on Getty Conservation Institute projects, events, publications, and staff.

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