Conservation of the Built Heritage in Israel: An Online Presentation of Preservation Yuval Baruch and Rachel Kudish-Vashdi
This web site is dedicated to the conservation of the built cultural heritage in Israel and is meant to open a window to the works concerned with the preservation of archaeological and historical sites by technical and scientific means. The exposure of the country’s ancient sites is an important task with a huge responsibility to the study of the cultural heritage of the country. Alas, after the sites are uncovered they are exposed to destruction caused by natural processes or human intervention. The conservation unit of the IAA is therefore responsible for the preservation of all the sites that came into existence by human endeavor over the course of time and that are of cultural significance. these include archaeological remains, underwater sites, traditional structures, historic villages, cities and gardens and cultural landscapes. The built heritage usually refers to relatively large architectural remains, and is distinct from the broader definition of material culture, that also includes small finds such as pottery and coins. The site holds interactive maps doted with all the sites that underwent conservation by the IAA Conservation Unit. Each site is linked to a detailed description of the processes that necessitated preservation, and the means by which this was accomplished. The verbal descriptions are accompanied by high-quality photos and plans showing the site’s state before and after conservation. This is the first time that preservation works in Israel are described in such detail, offering specialists, as well as amateurs, to delve into the moral and technical aspects of the conservation works. Another important feature on the web site is a detailed glossary of conservation terms, including illustrations. This glossary, composed with the cooperation of the conservation unit of the Getty Museum, aids the surfer in reading the various articles and serves as a basis for creating a unified terminology, which has not yet conglomerated in the field of conservation. We hope that the international recognition that the conservation works throughout the country have received will be mirrored and enhanced by this web site, and thus the site will win its right place among other web sites in this field.
