2025 Island of Zakynthos, Greece: Intensive Workshop for Paper Conservation & Interpretation

Location: Zakynthos, Greece

Season: May 25, 2025 to June 7, 2025

Session Dates: Single Session

Application Deadline: May 24, 2025

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.fieldsciences.org/program/2025-greece-zakynthos-paper-conservation/

Discount for AIA members: None

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Center for Field Sciences, Balkan Heritage Foundation & Ionian University

Project Director:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Christos Karydis (Conservator & Associate Professor at Ionian University, Greece) and Dr. Angela Pencheva (Co-Founder of Balkan Heritage Foundation & Adjunct Professor at CPCE, New Bulgarian University)

Project Description:

The program provides students with intensive training in paper conservation. This program is designed for students who are considering a career in conservation and provides focused, in depth training for the study, conservation, preservation, mounting, and reconstruction of one type of ethnographic artifact – paper. This is a hands-on program, and we will cover both theory and practice of paper conservation.

Students will be guided through the history and technology of ecclesiastical and historical paper objects and consequent stages of their study, conservation, and documentation. Students will explore the principles of paper material conservation, including methods and theories. To better understand structure and materials, students will learn how to use analytical instruments, including optical microscopy, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Students will learn how to operate and interpret results. During the program, students will work with authentic and replicas of paper artifacts of various types and sizes.

This program is focused on paper conservation. It will cover the following modules:
• Be able to develop practical skills in paper conservation treatments.
• Become acquainted with the basic required documentation for the conservation of paper using graphic software, as well as photo documentation.
• Learn about the forms, types, traditions, and technology of paper manufacturing.
• Use case studies to learn and practice preventive conservation of organic and inorganic paper materials, including ink and other printing materials.

This program takes place at the labs of the Department of the Environment at the Ionian University, on the Greek Island of Zakynthos.

Period(s) of Occupation: Various periods

Notes:
Tuition cost is $4,050; Program awards 4 semester credit units (equivalent to 6 quarter credits units) through our school of record – Culver-Stockton College

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Full session

Minimum Age: 18 years old

Experience Required: There are no prerequisites for participation in this field school but note that conservation work requires good manual dexterity skills and ability to carry out delicate bench work. Students will receive hands-on training in conservation work and will spend most of the time learning how to conserve paper objects in a lab setting. Students will be taught how to use a variety of laboratory procedures and equipment – from microscopes to analytical instruments. Conservation work is slow and may be tedious. It requires patience and focus. This is an intensive course so we will cover basic and advanced elements of conservation of archaeological and ethnographic paper artifacts.

Room and Board Arrangements:
Students will stay at the family-run Yria Hotel, located near the historical center of Zakynthos. The rooms are comfortable, with 2-4 beds, bathrooms with shower and WC, TV, 24-hour room service, lockers, hair dryers, LAN plugin connection, A/C and a fridge. Laundry service and free Wi-Fi are available at the hotel. Participants are not expected to bring any additional equipment, linen, or towels. Single rooms are available upon request. The program covers only the cost of breakfast. Other meals are not included. There are plenty inexpensive and mid-range local restaurants that offer a typical three-course Greek meal for 10-20 Euros (equivalent to $11-22).

Academic Credit:
Program awards 4 semester credit units (equivalent to 6 quarter credits units) through our school of record – Culver-Stockton College.