Round Table Exchange of excavation experiences, conservation, restoration of archaeological sites, and exhibition of findings

Exchange of Experience in Archaeological Studies, Excavations, Conservation and Exhibition of Greek and Roman Antiquities round table discussion took place in Castellammare di Stabia (Italy) on October 12-18, 2009, within the framework of cooperation programme between the State Hermitage, Restoring Ancient Stabiae Foundation (RAS), Campania Region and the Archaeological Superintendence of Naples and Pompeii, as a part of the ArcheoStabiae conference.

Representatives of UNESCO, the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Italy, heads of banking structures, directors of Campania Region museums, employees of the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at the University of Maryland (USA), the University Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa, the dean of the School of Architecture and Design at the New York Institute of Technology, representatives of scientific and research institutions, Italian and American archaeologists that are taking part in the project Creation and Development of Archaeological Park Ancient Stabiae in Varano District, employees of the University of Lausanne (Switzerland) took park in the seminar that had been jointly organized by the State Hermitage, Restoring Ancient Stabiae Foundation and the Archaeological Superintendence of Naples and Pompeii, coordinated by 2smART Art Management.

The results of work of Russian archaeological expeditions of the State Hermitage that have been successfully studying ancient cities of the Northern Black Sea region and the Mediterranean Sea region, as well as methods of restoration and conservation of antique fresco paintings that are used at restoration workshops of the State Hermitage were presented at the meetings. Representatives of the Restoring Ancient Stabiae Foundation demonstrated the latest results of archaeological works as well as possible research perspectives of these monuments.

Presentation of the international agreement signed by Mikhail Piotrovsky and Ferdinando Spagnuolo, Managing Director of the Restoring Ancient Stabiae Foundation, as well as by Pietro Giovanni Guzzo, former representative of the Archaeological Superintendence of Naples and Pompeii, took place within the framework of that symposium. The agreement provides for joint archaeological excavations of Ancient Stabiae (Villa San Marco, Villa Arianna and the Second Complex), organization of temporary exhibitions exchange, carrying out joint traineeships and round table discussions dedicated to the development of new approaches in the field of archaeological research, museumification and restoration of ancient monuments.

Delegations of the Hermitage and the Restoring Ancient Stabiae Foundation presented the results of the round table discussion and plans for further cooperation to the President of the Campania Region Antonio Bassolino, who gave strong impulse to this cooperation signing the first protocol between these institutions in 2006.

Anna Trofimova, the Head of the Department of Classical Antiquities, is a curator of the project on behalf of the State Hermitage; Angela Vinci, the Director of Exhibitions, is a curator on behalf of the Restoring Ancient Stabiae Foundation.

The first archaeological excavations shall start in May-June of this year; the first temporary exhibition "Alexander the Great. The Road to the East" is planned for 2011.

The meeting of representatives of various archaeological schools - Russian, Italian, American and Swiss - was given broad coverage by television and the press. Signing of the international agreement between the State Hermitage and the Restoring Ancient Stabiae Foundation became an outstanding event not only in the academic but also in the political environment.

As early as in the 17th century Russian aristocrats carried out archaeological excavation on the shore of Bay of Naples. Since that time Russian archaeology has not been presented in the south of Italy.
Signed agreement shall provide for carrying out regular archaeological research at the foot of famous Vesuvius led by the State Hermitage for the first time in the history of Russian-Italian cultural connections.

Program

Speech of Ferdinando Spagnuolo (RAS)

Speech of Ian Sutherland (RAS)

Speech of AnnaTrofimova (The State Hermitage)

Speech of Dmitry Chistov (The State Hermitage)

Anna Trofimova - Coordinator of program of International cooperation between State Hermitage and RAS from Hermitage side, Head of the Department of Classical antiquities, Ferdinando Spagnuolo - Managing Director (RAS), Metthew Bell - Vice President (RAS)

Stabiae. Russian, American and Switzerland specialists during the seminar on the archaeological site