A műemlékek sokszínűsége (A 28. Egri Nyári Egyetem előadásai 1998 Eger, 1998)

Előadások / Presentations - Roland SILVA: Unesco-Sri Lanka project of the cultural triangle fifteen years work

be photographically recreated and measurements taken so that the academic children of the archaeologists could be given a sporting chance to correct some of the assumptions and deductions made by their predecessors. It is for this reason that all six projects agreed to follow a three metre grid excavation format. Along with the photographic records, parallel measurments were to be taken in the traditional way and the levels established to the datum, marked at each grid square. These field record books were to be of a standard size and dimension and duplicated soon after they were deposited in the site office. The duplicates of these books.drawings and all photographic records, were to be stored in the Head Office as well, in order to avoid any accidental damage to the records. The data recordings were to be on a series of card index as well, for computer compilation. With these ground rules set out, the archaeologists began to train their graduate staff. No labourers were employed for the first three months at each of the sites so that the graduates were disciplined with every aspects of excavating, recording finds, and even in the removal of spoil, The special finds discovered at the sites were to be transferred to a mini-laboratory at each site and where special attention was necessary, moved to the Central Conservation Laboratory at Anuradhapura. These were to be finally displayed at the site museums or stored with such reserve collections, but never to be moved out of the sites except with special permission for exhibition and other purposes. The conservation graduates were initially recruited as architects and senior technical staff. They were also provided with work programmes closely following the excavation team. The intention was not to leave any excavated material without conservation for more than six months. If any rainy periods intervened the excavated monuments were to be properly covered and protected during the monsoon. The conservation work covered such monuments as those constructed in brick, stone and timber generally, and other such exceptions as wattle and daub and latérite. The conservation techniques, materials and mixtures followed the standard specifications as set out for conservation in the country. These, not only conformed to the Venice Charter, but were more detailed in their application to the local situation. In terms of specialised conservation covering sculpture and mural paintings, a separate team worked at th critical sites and were specially trained for this purpose both in Sri Lanka and abroad. Their methods of documentation are of an exceptional high class and the mural conservators have a running record like a „bed-ticket" for a hospital patient. Such „bed-tickets" are applicable to every square metre of painted area. In terms of training the excavation and conservation staff, the Central Cultural Fund negotiated with two universities, namely, the Technical University of Moratuwa in terms of conservators, and the Kelaniya University in terms of archaeologists. The Postgraduate institutions established by each university were initially funded by the Central Culture Fund, but since their establishment, the universities have also been able to contribute to their well being. The university course in the conservation of monuments provides training for 15 postgraduates per year, leading to the M. Se on a part examination and part thesis basis. A similar provision is available at the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology. While some of these scholars lead up to doctoral studies, there are also short-term courses carried out for the non-graduates and as introductory courses for new comers. A special feature of both courses of studies is that the lectures are concentrated to the weekends and therefore, the field staff can utilize these opportunities to upgrade their qualifications and their grade in service. Promotions of field staff are entirely at the academic and performance level and the accent of examination is closely related to their practical work. The Central Cultural Fund also provides many incentives to the field staff to carry out their academic work in that they are provided with official leave on Fridays or Mondays, travelling is paid, and part subsistence is given, enabling the student also to contribute to better themselves. With the examinations completed, the Central Cultural Fund has assisted the professionals to form their own professional bodies as archaeologists or as conservators. The professional bodies operate as any other professional body as that of a doctor, lawyer, accountant or an engineer.