Conservation in the Field: Archaeological Exploration of Sardis

Since its founding in 1958 by Harvard and Cornell Universities, the Archaeological Exploration of Sardis has excavated, conserved, and published on aspects of the ancient city of Sardis in western Turkey from the prehistoric through medieval periods.

This program will introduce viewers to the challenges of conservation on an archaeological excavation site through a series of presentations and will focus on major conservation efforts at Sardis. Among these efforts are the development of a system to preserve the marble of the Artemis Temple, attempts to preserve a massive Lydian mudbrick fortification wall, and the preservation of the synagogue, including its protective covering. The presentation will also highlight how site conservation has been a major collaborative initiative from the beginning of the project—one that closely involves local stakeholders and communities, such as women from the local community whose participation has played an increasingly integral role in ensuring long-term preservation of the monuments.

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK:

SPEAKERS:
+ Bahadır Yıldırım, Expedition Administrator, Archaeological Exploration of Sardis,
+ Nicholas Cahill, Field Director, Archaeological Exploration of Sardis,
+ Teoman Yalçınkaya, Engineer, Archaeological Exploration of Sardis,
+ Sardis 2021 Conservation Team: Hiroko Kariya, Michael Morris, Suheyla Şimşek, Brian Castriota, and Ameya Grant;
+ Sardis Turkish Restoration Team: Hatice Serin, Keziban Serin, Mine Okter, Sevinç Akça, and Ramazan Erişti;
+ Tony Sigel, Senior Conservator of Objects and Sculpture, Straus Center of Conservation and Technical Studies, Harvard Art Museums.

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