| ■Tokyo National Research
Institute for Cultural Properties |
■Center for Conservation
Science |
| ■Department of Art Research,
Archives and Information Systems |
■Japan Center for
International Cooperation in Conservation |
| ■Department of Intangible
Cultural Heritage |
|
Presentation of the Declaration to the 46th World Heritage Committee (Photo by Archaeological Survey of India)
Site visit to the World Heritage site, Taj Mahal (Photo by Archaeological Survey of India)
From July 14 to 23, 2024, Mr. KANEKO Yutaro, Research Fellow of the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation (Secretariat of the Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage), participated in the “World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2024,” held in New Delhi, India, as part of the 46th World Heritage Committee.
This forum is a key initiative of UNESCO’s World Heritage Education Program, aiming at promoting intercultural understanding and exchange through interactions among young people from around the world and experts in cultural and natural heritage, as well as exploring new roles for the youth in heritage conservation. For this year’s forum, 50 participants were selected (20 participants from India and 30 from other countries) from 31 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands out of more than 3,500 applicants. The participants discussed the issues and opportunities related to World Heritage sites from their respective national and professional perspectives. Under the main theme, “World Heritage in the 21st Century—Enhancing Capacities and Exploring Opportunities for Youth,” the program focused on four key topics: climate change, innovative technologies, communities, and sustainable tourism. The participants engaged in a rich program to learn about World Heritage from various perspectives, which included site visits to museums and World Heritage sites such as Taj Mahal, lectures by heritage experts, and discussions and presentations among the participants. At the end of the forum, a statement summarizing recommendations from young professionals regarding World Heritage was prepared and presented to the World Heritage Committee, based on the knowledge and experiences gained from the forum.
Mr. KANEKO was deeply inspired by the young professionals from African and Latin American countries who are playing leading roles at the stages of nomination, protection, and management of World Heritage sites, actively addressing various challenges faced by these sites. However, many participants from these countries pointed out that fragile protection systems due to a lack of funding and human resources are common, highlighting the need for Japan to extend further support in the field of international cooperation in cultural heritage. As one of the young professionals who will be responsible for future heritage protection, he will continue to raise awareness of these issues and strive to contribute to the protection of heritage both domestically and internationally.
UNESCO Website for the World Heritage Young Professionals Forum
https://whc.unesco.org/en/youth-forum/
Meeting at the Nevşehir Conservation and Restoration Regional Laboratory
Courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Nevşehir Province
The Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation, in cooperation with local specialized institutions and universities in Turkey, are conducting a joint research project on the conservation and restoration of mural paintings on the interior walls of St. Michael’s Church (Keşlik Monastery) in Cappadocia, Turkey. Last year, a research plan was prepared based on field surveys, and after deliberations held by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey and an expert committee, the project was officially approved for implementation.
Survey for the development of a conservation and restoration research plan at St. Michael’s Church (Keşlik Monastery) :: 東文研アーカイブデータベース (tobunken.go.jp)
In response, we visited the site from June 25 to 29, 2024, to discuss environmental arrangements that will be important for conducting research activities safely in the future. The discussions were conducted with the cooperation of Mr. Hatice Temur YILDIZ, Director of the Nevşehir Conservation and Restoration Regional Laboratory, and Mr. Levent Ak, a member of the Urgup City Council and Director of the Cappadocia Tourism and Regional Infrastructure Services Association. The discussions were very fruitful, as we had the opportunity to exchange views with the Deputy Governor of Nevşehir and the Mayor of Ürgüp. As a result, we were able to establish a cooperative framework with public organizations in the Cappadocia region, as they agreed to cooperate with us on the construction of scaffolding and installation of facilities for water and electricity in the church.
We will continue our research activities to meet the expectations of the local people and to contribute widely to the conservation and restoration of cultural properties in the Republic of Turkey.
Survey at Sakteng village
Devastating remains of a manor house (Phongmey Nagtshang)
Since 2012, the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN) has been continuously engaged in research on vernacular houses in Bhutan, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development (DCDD), Ministry of Home Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan. The DCDD promotes a policy of preserving and utilizing vernacular houses by integrating them into the legal protecting framework of cultural heritage, while TOBUNKEN supports the initiative from academic and technical aspects.
We conducted the first field survey for FY 2024 from May 11 to 23. For this purpose, three staff members of TOBUNKEN and two external experts from Japan were dispatched. Together with two DCDD officials, we surveyed mainly stone masonry houses in two eastern Dzongkhags (provinces): Trashigang and Trashiyangtse.
The current survey area included three villages that we had visited from April to May 2023 for the supplemental survey, in addition to three villages that were new for us.
In the Kheni village of Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag, where we visited first, we completed a detailed survey on all of five houses considered as very old in the village, including measurement taking and interviews with the residents of the houses. For three of the houses that had been surveyed last year, supplemental surveys were conducted. The other houses were also fully surveyed.
Next, at Merak and Gengo villages in Merak Gewog of Trashigang Dzongkhag, we conducted a supplemental survey on one house and new surveys on six other houses. All of these houses are single-story buildings with main entrances on the gable side. Many of them have a living room with partial wooden outer walls at the front side of the attic level. This building type is peculiar to these areas in which transhumant ethnic minorities live. In the survey on such regionally-unique-style houses, we identified 67 houses across Merak village, and revealed that around half of the houses, especially those in the center of the village, were in this style.
We then visited Sakteng Gewog of Trashigang Dzongkhag for the first time, where the same ethnic group lives. We confirmed that a similar style of houses to that of Merak existed there. However, as some of those houses were surrounded by stone fences with gates, the scenery inside the village was very different. We conducted detailed surveys of five houses in total in both adjacent Sakteng and Tengma villages. We managed to collect valuable examples, including small houses built totally of wood and water mills for producing flour. The living area of the same ethnic group expands to the neighboring Northeastern region of India. We are informed that houses of similar styles exist there, in which we are very much interested.
Additionally, we surveyed two old houses of feudal lords in Phongmey village in the same Dzongkhag. Both of them were no longer in use. One of them was severely damaged with largely deformed stone walls and in a risky condition. There is concern that such case can rapidly increase due to the depopulation in countryside. Even though it is difficult to take immediate conservation measures, it is at least required to grasp and document the locations and current situations of these old houses.
The surveys were conducted with the support of a JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) “Vernacular Stone Masonry Houses of Bhutan: A Study on the Architectural Characteristics and the Suitable Approach for Protection as Cultural Heritage” (Principal Researcher: TOMODA Masahiko).
Conference program
Scene from the venue, “Convent of Fuligno”
Perugino (real name: Pietro Vannucci) was one of the leading painters of the Italian Renaissance. He left behind numerous works of art, including a mural painting in the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican, and was a master of the young Raffaello, who praised him as a “God-Like Painter.” In 2023, the 500th anniversary of Perugino’s death, numerous exhibitions and symposia were held in Italy and abroad.
Joining with this commemoration, the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, in collaboration with Elio Conti Historical Studies Association, the National Research Council of Italy Institute of Heritage Science, the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the metropolitan city of Florence and the provinces of Pistoia and Prato, and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, organized the international conference, “Perugino and Florence,” held over two days, May 14 and 15, 2024, at the “Cenacolo di Fuligno” (‘Convent of Fuligno’) in Florence. The conference brought together experts from the fields of art history, conservation, and other fields, to reassess the value of this great painter through presentations on his work. We also gave a presentation on an interdisciplinary technical study of the two remaining mural paintings in Florence, and discussed future conservation, restoration, and maintenance methods.
In the future, in cooperation with local experts, ways of improving the conservation of Perugino’s painting of the Last Supper, which is now in a museum in the former Convent of Fuligno in Florence, will be carried out through scientific research and other means.
Seven-story stone pagoda at Kandani Shrine
Survey of similar cases for the conservation and restoration of stone cultural properties in Europe
Stone is a material that mankind has utilised for cultural life since ancient times. It has a wide range of uses, including as tools, building materials, and sculptures, many of which are classified as stone cultural heritage and have been handed down through conservation efforts. Although the definition of stone as cultural heritage differs between Japan and the rest of the world, various efforts have been made to conserve and restore stone materials around the world. In particular, Europe, known as having had ‘stone culture’ as opposed to Japan’s ‘wood culture,’ has been leading the world in advanced research and studies, and the results of these studies can be used for the conservation of stone cultural heritage in Japan.
Many stone cultural heritage objects are conserved outdoors, as they are more durable than timber in terms of hardness and stability. Therefore, they are often subject to deterioration and loss due to external factors such as weather, natural disasters, and the surrounding environment, and it is necessary to take measures from a variety of perspectives when considering their conservation. This is why it is important to look at many examples, share the problems with experts in each field, and carry out research to find solutions.
On February 16, 2024, we visited Kandani Shrine in Sakaide City, Kagawa Prefecture, to conduct a survey for the conservation of the seven-storey stone pagoda standing on the shrine grounds. The stone pagoda, built of lapilli tuff, is in a very poor state, with the base eroded by rainwater, and cracks and losses are visible. The situation was shared with European experts, and on March 1, 2024, we held meeting in Florence with Italian national conservators of cultural properties regarding a survey of similar examples and a research plan.
In the future, we will engage in research that will lead to improvements in the current state of conservation and restoration of stone cultural properties in Japan.
Hall of the Five Hundred in Palazzo Vecchio
Comparative study of marble sculpture and clay statues using 3D
The Japan Centre for International Cooperation in Conservation is involved in a research survey on stucco decoration and clay statues under the research project “Technology for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage” program.
As part of this project, we visited Florence from February 26 to March 2 and from March 10 to March 12, 2024, to carry out a survey of a statue by the late Renaissance and Mannerist sculptor Giambologna, ‘Florence triumphant over Pisa,’ in collaboration with the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the metropolitan city of Florence.
This work, which is currently on display in the Hall of the Five Hundred in Palazzo Vecchio facing Piazza della Signoria, was originally created as a prototype for a work in marble, and a marble work based on it is on display at the National Museum of the Bargello. In this study, the shapes of the two pieces were compared using 3D scanning as part of the verification of the production technique. In the future, the research will move on to focus on the internal structure, which is important for the production of the clay statues.
There are many clay statues existing in Japan and overseas, but surprisingly, methods for their conservation and restoration have not yet been established. We will continue our activities with the notion that relevant research surveys will lead to the development of conservation and restoration methods.
Investigation of the condition of mural paintings in a church using a checklist
Discussions with local experts
In Istria, located in the northwestern part of Croatia, numerous mural paintings were painted in churches from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Although there are as many as 150 such paintings in Istria, there are serious problems with their maintenance and management. To improve this situation, the Japan Centre for International Cooperation in Conservation is conducting a research project to establish a method for documenting the state of conservation in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, the Historic and Naval Museum of Istria, and the University of Zagreb.
From March 4 to 8, 2024, we visited the site, prepared a checklist for the conservation status of the mural paintings, and conducted an implementation test on two churches located in the center of the Istrian Peninsula, with the aim of ensuring that experts engaged in the conservation and maintenance of the mural paintings would be able to efficiently utilize the information. As a result, we were able to obtain accurate information in a short period of time and confirmed that the information could be used to develop a policy for the future conservation of the murals paintings.
In the future, we will discuss the content of the checklist items to make it more complete and aim to build a digital archive through repeated implementation tests.
Interview at the Spanish Cultural Heritage Institute
Interview at the Andalusian Historical Heritage Institute
The Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation has been collecting and translating foreign laws and regulations on the protection of cultural properties in various countries since FY 2007, and has so far published 28 volumes. The project aims to contribute to Japan`s international cooperation and to provide a reference for reevaluating Japanese protection systems in the field of cultural properties. In this regard, we conducted a field survey in Spain, the next target country, from March 19 to 28, 2024.
Spain used to have a nationally centralized protection system, but since the 1980s, authority has been diverted to the states (comunidad autónoma). Due to its vast territory and cultural diversity, there are differences in protection from state to state. In recent years, many states have enacted legislation regarding cultural landscapes, industrial heritage, and intangible heritage. The Spanish-designated cultural properties, denominated “Bien de Interés Cultural,” are just a tip of the iceberg of “Bien de Patrimonio Historico,” identified by state Institutes for Historic Heritage. Notable is that the last category, mostly not designated, is in some way protected by local urban planning.
Through this survey, we were able to get a glimpse of the protection of cultural properties in Spain, hardly introduced to Japan until now. Actually, the state protection of cultural properties is obliged to comply with Spanish national and state laws, of which we plan to conduct research in FY 2024 and FY 2025, respectively. Since some state protection systems are well-organized, we can reconsider using such laws as reference for reevaluation of the protections of cultural properties in Japan.
Protection work of the Terrace on the West Embankment of the East Baray
Site inspection by the ad-hoc experts
The excavation of the Terrace on the Embankment at the easternmost end of Ta Nei Temple was reported in a previous article. As a continuation of that report, here we summarize the protection work on the terrace that was carried out from March 8 to 29, 2024.
This terrace was built from the top to the east slope of the west embankment of the “East Baray,” one of the huge reservoirs that characterize the Angkor Monuments. Therefore, it was an urgent task to protect the laterite stones from being washed away during the rainy season, especially those that were situated on the sloping terrain. First, four stones that had been moved from their original position and were structurally unstable were re-positioned. The perimeter of the stones on the slope was also reinforced with a compacted lime-mixed earth mortar, known as ‘lime mortar.’ The excavated area on the top of the embankment was also backfilled, particularly around the perimeter of the terrace, where there is concern about movement due to rainwater. Further work will be carried out in the future to cut down trees around the terrace, which is one of the factors causing the collapse of the structure.
From March 14 to 15, an international meeting of ICC-Angkor/Sambor Prei Kuk was held, at which each team reported on their restoration projects. The Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN) and the Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap (APSARA) jointly reported on the progress and future plan for the conservation of Ta Nei Temple. Prior to this meeting, on March 8, ICC ad hoc experts responsible for providing technical recommendations on each restoration project visited the site. The future restoration and maintenance policy, including the restoration of the east and west entrances to the Central Tower, which is scheduled to be carried out in 2024, was explained at the site, and the plan was approved.
Visiting the Historic Sites: Korokan Historical Museum
Under a cooperative project between the Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap (APSARA) and Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN), restoration work of the East Gate of Ta Nei Temple in Angkor in Cambodia was completed in November 2022.
To commemorate the completion of the restoration, a technical exchange program* was organized by TOBUNKEN, including the invitation of three experts from Cambodia to Japan: Mr. Kim Sothin (Deputy Director General, APSARA), Mr. Som Sopharath (Director of Department of Conservation of Monuments and Archeology, APSARA), and Mr. Sea Sophearun (Technical Officer, National Authority for Sambor Prei Kuk).
Following an open seminar, “Seminar commemorating the completion of the Restoration of the East Gate of Ta Nei Temple,” held on February 14 at TOBUNKEN, a study tour was conducted from February 15 to 18, in which the following conservation sites of the nationally designated Important Cultural Properties and Historic Sites were visited: the former Alt residence, the former British council, Shofukuji-Temple in Nagasaki city, and Korokan Historical Museum in Fukuoka city.
Experts from both countries who are engaged in heritage conservation research and fieldwork participated in enthusiastic discussions during the seminar and study tour. This proved to be a valuable opportunity for deepening mutual understanding of various areas, including heritage value, preservation techniques, presentation methods, and more.
*This program was partially funded by the Foundation for Cultural Heritage and Art Research, Japan.
Research at the Abu Anbara Cemetery
Reused tombstones in Abu Anbara Cemetery
The Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties has been cooperating with an excavation survey and the maintenance of historical sites in the tombs of Bahrain for many years. When we visited the site in July 2022 and met Salman Al Mahari, Director of the Bahrain National Museum, he asked us to help protect the historical Islamic tombstones that remained in the mosques and cemeteries. Currently, approximately 150 historical Islamic tombstones remain in the country, but they are deteriorating due to salt damage and other factors.
As cooperative activities in response to this request, in 2023 we conducted photogrammetric surveying using SfM-MVS (Structure-from-Motion/Multi-View-Stereo), a technology for creating 3D models from photographs, and completed 3D measurements of 20 tombstones in the collection of the Bahrain National Museum and 27 in the collections of the Al-Khamis Mosque. The models created were published on Sketchfab, a platform widely accessible both domestically and internationally, and are being used as a database of the tombstones.
From February 9 to 15, 2024, we again conducted a 3D survey of other cemeteries in Bahrain. Photogrammetric surveying was completed for 47 tombstones in Abu Anbara Cemetery, 2 in Al Maqsha Cemetery, 11 in Jebelat Habshi Cemetery, and 3 in Jidhafs Al-Imam Cemetery. Unlike in previous years, these tombstones were located within Muslim cemeteries, and some were reused in modern tombs.
A database of more than 100 tombstones with 3D models combining information on their dimensions, shapes, and inscriptions is unprecedented, and in addition to preserving records of tombstones, the results of this research are expected to be useful in the study of Islamic tombstones.
Information leaflet (front side)
Scene of discussion at the seminar
Since 2018, the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation has been hosting the World Heritage Seminar Series, which aims to transmit information and facilitate exchange of opinions about the world heritage system and its trends domestically. In FY 2023, titled as “The Increasing Complexity of the Eyes Watching over World Heritage – Operational Guidelines, Preliminary Assessments, and Impact Assessments -,” the seminar focused on the evaluation methods and system operation of world heritage, especially on the guidance of the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), compiled recently by UNESCO and others. The meeting was held in-person on December 21, 2023, at the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN), in which 90 persons participated, mainly representatives from local governments all over the country.
After an introductory explanation of the purpose of the seminar was provided by Mr. KANAI Ken, Head of the Resource and Systems Research Section of the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation, Mr. SUZUKI Chihei of the Agency for Cultural Affairs reported on the discussions held and decisions made at the latest World Heritage Committee meeting under the title of Trends on World Heritage. Then, Ms. FUTAGAMI Yoko, Head of the Cultural Properties Information Section of the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems, made a presentation titled Recent revisions of the Operational Guidelines and their background – To ensure dialogue and reliability –. Subsequently, Mr. SUZUKI , on behalf of Mr. NISHI Kazuhiko (Agency for Cultural Affairs) made a presentation on the contents and points to note of “Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessment in a World Heritage Context.” Finally, Mr. NAKASAWA Hiromasa (Special Historic Site – Sannai Maruyama Jomon Culture Center, Aomori Pref.) presented on the significance and assignments of HIA, based on specific case studies, with the title of “Protection and Heritage Impact Assessment of Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan.” Thereafter, all speakers discussed the evolving value of World Heritage Sites, impact assessments made on them, and future challenges.
Through the reports, presentations, and discussions, we reaffirmed the necessity to involve a wide range of stakeholders and incorporate relevant regulatory systems for implementing the HIA guidance. Furthermore, we learned that, in recent years, some countries have begun to regard buffer zones and their surrounding areas as areas for integrated development based on the cultural heritage values of the site, although they have traditionally been considered as a “shield” for assets. With these topics included, the Center will continue to study the international heritage protection system.
Trainees learning photogrammetry and 3D modelling
Trainees learning photogrammetry and 3D modelling
The Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation held a workshop for four days, from December 24 to 27, 2023, which focused on technology transfer of the 3D digital documentation for cultural heritage and case studies, and discussion on its subsequent application for professional staff involved with cultural heritage in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities has been promoting the introduction of 3D digital documentation as one of the solutions to improve issues regarding documentation, preservation, and utilization of cultural heritage. As a training program for these issues was requested, this workshop was conducted as Activities for Exchanges in International Cooperation for Conservation of Cultural Heritage in fiscal year 2023, granted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
Fifteen trainees from different specialties, including museology, conservation science, conservation and restoration, archaeology, and architecture, attended the workshop. Two of them participated from the neighboring Gulf countries of UAE and Kuwait. Together with lectures on various ways to create 3D digital documentation, trainees tackled the practical task of making a 3D model from the beginning, solely by themselves, applying photogrammetry to one exhibit object selected from the museum. By experiencing trial and error on their own, trainees acquired the skills and knowledge to create the 3D model and consider their subsequent use. At the discussion on the last day, the ideas of each trainee as to how to make the best use of 3D digital data and models were actively discussed, such as for improving satisfaction with the descriptions of museum exhibits, and utilization in recording of the conservation process for application to the digital museum or for domestic and international promotion.
Despite the rich cultural heritage preserved not only in Bahrain but in other Gulf countries, the lack of human capacity to preserve and utilize cultural heritage is concerning, but it is hoped that some of these issues will improve through learning ways to perform documentation efficiently using 3D digital techniques.
Survey scene at an old house
A vernacular house in which rammed earth and stone masonry structures coexist.
Since 2012, the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN) has been continuously engaged in research on vernacular houses in Bhutan, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development (DCDD), Ministry of Home Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan. The DCDD promotes a policy of preserving and utilizing vernacular houses by integrating them into the legal protection framework of cultural heritage, while TOBUNKEN supports the initiative from academic and technical aspects.
Following the previous survey conducted in the eastern region from April to May 2023, the second field survey mission of this year was implemented from October 29 to November 4. Four staff members of TOBUNKEN, one from Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (NABUNKEN), and two external experts were dispatched, and the team was joined by two staff members from DCDD. We jointly carried out a field survey in the two provinces of the central region, namely Bumthang and Wangdue Phodrang.
Most of the target houses had been identified in our preparative survey conducted in 2022. Eleven houses in total, including those newly found, were investigated this time in a detailed manner that included taking measurements and interviewing the residents. Two houses among them were rammed earth houses commonly seen in the western area of the country, and six were stone masonry houses widely located in the eastern area, while both construction techniques were combined in the other three houses. Especially in the eastern part of Wangdue Phodrang province, a tendency had been observed that the rammed earth technique was exclusively used further in the past, and stone masonry has gradually become dominant over time. However, our analysis of the transitional history of each house suggests that things were not so simple, and present more complex pictures.
On the other hand, although we had been focusing on such aspects as building type, construction technique, and transitional history of the houses, this time during the interviews we started to pay more attention to ethnographic factors such as oral traditions about houses and how each room is used. By adding information about villager’s lifestyles, which reflected on the transition and locality of the housing type, into our consideration, hopefully diverse values of the Bhutanese traditional houses as cultural heritage will become clarified.
The survey was implemented with the financial support of a JSPS Grant-in-aid for Scientific Research (B), “Vernacular stone masonry houses of Bhutan: study on the architectural characteristics and the suitable approach for protection as cultural heritage” with TOMODA Masahiko as the principal researcher.
Excavation of the Terrace on the West Embankment of the East Baray
The newly installed (left) and the existing (right) supports at hazardous spots inside the East Tower of the Central Complex
Ta Nei Temple is located facing the East Baray, one of the huge reservoirs that used to supply water for the Angkor capital. The terrace at the eastern end of Ta Nei Temple was built on top of the West Embankment of the East Baray, being not only significant as the main entrance of the temple, but also connected to the other temples through the Embankment. However, due to the extremely poor condition of the terrace, its construction period and structural features have remained uncertain.
The Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties has so far conducted excavation of the terrace in three periods: November 2017, March 2018, and August to October 2018, aiming to delineate the plan of the terrace and consider the intention of construction. These previous surveys revealed plans of the terrace, especially the structure of the west wing. In this term, four staff members were dispatched from November 5 to 30, 2023 to carry out archaeological and architectural studies to understand the northern and the southern sections of the terrace as well as the construction process, in cooperation with Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap (APSARA).
Although traces of the stone masonry structure at the northern and southern sections of the terrace were scarcely identified, the excavation provided some clues to enable estimation of the original construction process of the terrace based on stratigraphical analysis of the mound structure. Additionally, a structure made of stones and bricks, which appears to be the foundation of a wooden pillar, was discovered on the surface of the terrace. Those remains indicate that a wooden structure was presumably built on the terrace at a certain time of its history. A level directly below where many roof tile fragments were unearthed by this excavation is thought to be the ground surface at the time when the wooden structure was built on the terrace. The details of the structure of the terrace still have not been ascertained, requiring further investigation.
In addition to the above-described investigation of the terrace, we conducted minor repair work on the East Gate that had been completed last year, and continued its documentation. Moreover, we installed additional supports at hazardous spots inside the East Tower of the Central Complex, and held on-site meetings to discuss future collaborative activities at the temple.
Remarks of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia
Reporting on the conservation and sustainable development project of Ta Nei Temple
On November 15, 2023 Ms. KUROIWA Chihiro, Associate Fellow of the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation, attended the “4th Intergovernmental Conference for the Safeguarding and the Development of Angkor” held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.
In 1992 following the end of the Cambodian Civil War, Angkor Monuments were inscribed on the World Heritage List, but at the same time, they were also placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. At the first intergovernmental conference held in Tokyo in 1993, co-chaired by Japan and France and attended by 30 countries and 7 international organizations, the “Tokyo Declaration” was adopted calling for international cooperation towards safeguarding the monuments and sustainable development of the surrounding area. In the same year, the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Sites of Angkor (ICC-Angkor) was established to formulate technical guidelines and evaluate the activities of international conservation teams.
The Intergovernmental Conference takes place every 10 years to review and evaluate the ICC-Angkor and to discuss the policies for future conservation and sustainable development. The second conference was held in 2003 (France), the third in 2013 (Cambodia), and the fourth was held this time in Paris. In the past 30 years, numerous international projects for restoration and conservation have been implemented at the Angkor Monuments and Sambor Prei Kuk, another World Heritage Site.
His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, H.E. Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO, H.E. Ms. Rima Abdul-Malak, Minister of Culture of the French Republic, Mr. KOMURA Masahiro, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and other international members attended the conference. During the technical session, presentations were made by teams from various countries involved in the conservation of Angkor and Sambor Prei Kuk monuments. We also reported on the collaboration with APSARA for the conservation and sustainable development of Ta Nei Temple.
The workshop
3D documentation using Agisoft Metashape and iPhone Scaniverse has been rapidly introduced recently. The introduction of this technology can not only reduce the working time, but also make it possible to document cultural heritage with very high precision.
Following a beginner course held in July, the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation arranged an intermediate/advanced course on 3D digital documentation for experts who are working abroad, held on November 26 2023. Dr. NOGUCHI Atsushi from Komatsu University was invited as the lecturer. The main aim of this workshop was for the Japanese experts to learn 3D documentation and then to spread their knowledge among foreign experts.
In total, 18 specialists with a variety of backgrounds such as archaeology, conservation science, and conservation architecture joined this workshop and studied how to make orthographic projections, cross-sections, contour maps, and tiered color maps from 3D models using Cloud Compare.
Cleaning of adhering materials
Treatment of detached finish layers
The Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties has been conducting research and surveys investigating stucco decorations since fiscal year 2021 as part of the “International Research on Technology for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage” program.
From October 25 to November 16, 2023, a research survey on the conservation and restoration of trowel paintings on doors and under eaves of the earthen storehouse of the former Kina-Saffron-Shu-Honpo in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture was conducted. This work was carried out as part of the “Conservation and restoration research of trowel paintings in the earthen storehouse of the former Kina-Saffron-Shu-Honpo” commissioned by Nagaoka City, with the aim of establishing conservation and restoration methods for trowel paintings in Japan from the perspective of cultural property conservation studies.
In recent years, the value of trowel painting in Japan as a cultural asset has been increasing, and the importance of an intervention method called “conservation and restoration” that can be advanced with clear evidence that it is compatible with existing materials is therefore also increasing. In this research study, conservation and restoration experts on stucco decoration were invited from Europe to discuss how to deal with the various types of damage found on trowel paintings. As a result, we were able to establish appropriate conservation and restoration methods for the removal of dust and other adherents and for damaged areas such as peeling and flaking, and achieved a certain level of success.
In the future, the state of the wall paintings after conservation and restoration will be monitored, and methods for reinforcing the plaster, which has deteriorated over time, will be studied further.
A sample of an ACR label prepared by the Ministry of Culture for distribution (France)
Auditorium Parco della Musica, designed by Renzo Piano, considered a contemporary architectural work of "cultural properties in progress" (Italy)
Erik Christian Sørensen's own home, being preserved, renovated, and operated as a rental property (Denmark)
The Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation (JCICC) is currently undertaking a research project overseas, specifically concentrating on innovative approaches to conserving modern architectural heritage. This project is part of the “Overseas Case Study on the Protection and Transmission of Contemporary Architecture,” commissioned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. After conducting a field survey in Taiwan in September, we extended our research to include field surveys in France, Italy, and Denmark from October 3 to 13.
Over the past three decades in Europe, the recognition of modern and contemporary architecture as a valuable social asset has gained widespread acceptance. This was notably encouraged by the Council of Europe in 1991, which recommended that member countries adopt specific strategies to safeguard 20th-century architecture. Furthermore, the guideline on “architectural culture (baukultur)” for social development was emphasized during the meeting of European ministers responsible for culture at the 2018 World Economic Forum in Davos. Amidst these social trends, in 2017 a new law was implemented in France called the “Law on Freedom of Creation, Architecture and Heritage” (LCAP Law). This legislation incorporates the “Remarkable Contemporary Architecture” (ACR) labeling system, designed to promote the conservation and appreciation of modern architecture. In Italy, the Directorate General for Contemporary Art and Contemporary Architecture within the Ministry of Cultural Property and Cultural Activity (which is now the Directorate General for Contemporary Creativity within the Ministry of Culture) was established in 2001. Since its inception, the Directorate has consistently undertaken surveys aimed at identifying contemporary architecture with significant artistic value across the entire territory. In Denmark, while there are no specific administrative initiatives dedicated to conserving modern architectural heritage, a private philanthropic organization called “Realdania” has taken on this responsibility. Established in 2000 as an extension of a real estate financing business, Realdania is actively pursuing initiatives to safeguard Danish architectural heritage through investments. Their efforts also focus on the preservation and development of modern Nordic design masterpieces created by Danish architects.
During this survey, we conducted visits to the French Ministry of Culture, the Italian Ministry of Culture, and Realdania, engaging in interviews to gain insights into their activities, challenges, and outlook regarding the conservation of modern architecture. The purpose was also to verify the status of the targeted modern architecture on-site. While significant efforts have been made to conserve modern architecture, it remains challenging to assert that modern architecture has fully garnered recognition and status as cultural heritage in each country. It was confirmed that these organizations are seeking new forms of conservation suitable for modern architecture through continuous dialogues with diverse stakeholders and the implementation of experimental trials of conservation and sustainable development.
The results of this survey, along with the results from our field survey in Taiwan and a bibliographic study into the relevant legal systems in each country or region, will be consolidated into a final survey report in November 2023. This report will be open to public via the Institute’s online repository.
Visit to Ichijodani Archaeological Site, Fukui Prefecture
The Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties has been involved with cooperative projects to preserve the cultural heritage in Bahrain for many years. Recently, Dr. Salman Almahari, Director of Antiquities and Museums in Bahrain, and colleagues requested to study the utilization of AR, VR, and digital contents in Japanese museums and archaeological sites, because they plan to introduce them in Bahraini museums and historical sites. Therefore, Dr. Salman Almahari and Dr. Melanie Muenzner, who is in charge of the UNESCO World Heritage Inscription in Bahrain, were invited to Japan from October 10 to 15, 2023 and a study tour was arranged.
During their stay in Japan, Japanese specialists delivered lectures on several topics, including basics of 3D documentation of cultural heritage, the utilization of AR for tourism promotion in Japan, among others. The Bahraini specialists also visited the Tokyo National Museum, Ichijodani Archaeological Site, Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, NHK and NHK Enterprises to study the latest examples of AR, VR, and digital contents such as ultra-high definition 3DCG.
The study tour was funded by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan. As a part of the same project, we also plan to organize a workshop, “3D Digital Documentation of Cultural Heritage and Its Applications,” for Bahraini experts to take place in December 2023.
