7th Annual Roman Ceramics and Conservation: a Hands-on Experience

Location:  Museu Nacional de Arqueologia, Lisbon, Portugal

Duration: 4 week session; 

Number of students: 12 - 15

Scientific Direction: Maia Langley, Universidade de Lisboa, Ext. Researcher, Museu Nacional de Arqueologia; Justina Borralho, Universidade de Lisboa

Instructor: Justina Borralho and Maia Langley

Conservation, in general, is the preservation of artifacts and is based on the understanding of materials, their manufacture and how and why these materials decompose and the procedures necessary to stabilize their decomposition.  In the case of ceramics, where the form is well document or easily estimated, a reconstruction of the vessel can be recreated. In order to understand the restoration of ceramic vessels, specialists must have a familiarity with fabrics, fabric inclusions, range of colors and textures as well as the forms and functions of ceramic vessels.  In this course, all students will be presented the theoretic basis of practical conservation of archaeological objects and given an introduction into ceramic wares while being closely instructed and supervised by both a ceramicist and professional conservationist.  All activities developed during the course of the program and conducted by the students, will be documented photographically and annotated for the posterity of the restored pieces and for the benefit of the students’ portfolios.

Archaeological conservation is a process made up of several steps and the most essential step begins on-site when the artifact is removed from its place in situ. The observation and recording of all materials from this initial step is crucial in the role of conservation as professional restorers must understand the possible dangers and measures that must be taken during the reconstruction of the artifact, i.e. the possible effects that atmospheric exposure may have upon the artifact. 

Conservation in the laboratory is the next step. This is where the triage and examination with specified equipment takes place and the diagnosis and appropriate treatment is applied as recently excavated artifacts and those that have endured long term storage must be handled in different ways. Another aspect to be considered is that recently excavated as some have previously been treated and must be studied and analyzed in the laboratory. 

The last step in the series of stages of conservation are the long term conservation of artifact for exhibitions or those that tare to be placed in long term storage.  Environmental controls and consistent monitoring is fundamental to the preservation of the collections.

In this course all the students have the opportunity of acquire theory bases and practical conservation in objects always with professional tutoring. During the course all activities developed by the students will be documented with photographs and writing procedures for the elaboration of the portfolio.

The fee for accommodations and tuition is €1,500 for 4 weeks.  Transportation to and from Portugal is at the participant's expense although transportation to and from the Lisbon airport is covered by the program.  A field trip to the site of Torre de Palma and  Mérida , Spain is at the program's expense although students are responsible for meals and personal expenses.  Accommodation will be a shared in a fully furnished condo with 2 baths, full kitchen, clothes washing machine and shared sleeping quarter.  Participant's do not have to bring pillows, sheets or blankets but should bring a towel and wash cloth.

Students will be provided with a list of suggested readings to be reviewed and printed before the program begins.  Please email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it for more information or go to the HOME page, under APPLICATION FORMS and fill out an online app or download a word file under DOCUMENTATION.

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