Program

The Metals Conservation Summer Institute (MCSI) unites cutting-edge facilities and expertise in archaeological and historical metals to create a program benefiting the conservation of ferrous and nonferrous materials. An internationally renowned faculty will expose students to the latest issues in archaeological and historical metal objects, resulting in the development of a new curriculum in the field of conservation.

In addition to seminar-style programs, the MCSI will provide

hands-on laboratory programs to take place in the labs of MPI (including the metals characterization laboratory, metallographic facilities, microscopy laboratories, corrosion laboratory, with access to high-tech equipment), Higgins Armory Museum, Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, and other facilities in the region;
access to the collections of the Higgins Armory Museum that span B.C.E. 3000 to the 19th century (the collections offer a virtually complete inventory of manufactured metal objects over a 5000-year history of technology);
videoconferencing with off-site institute faculty;
lectures published online on the program Web site by audio with PowerPoint via Camtasia from Smart.

Course Objectives

To impart a working vocabulary of (archaeo)metallurgy and advanced knowledge of current metals conservation techniques.
To promote practical skills in laboratory technique and metals analysis.
To foster scholarly exchange of ideas and experience among academicians, authorities and practicing conservators in the fields of metals, archaeology and objects conservation.

Participation

The Institute is best suited for

Personnel in the field of objects conservation
Personnel in the field of archaeological and historical metallurgy
Graduate students and university researchers in the fields of conservation and metallurgy who want to gain a broader knowledge of metals in the contexts of both museums and scientific research.

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Last modified: Jul 17, 2007, 11:34 EDT