Guide to the Getty Conservation Institute, Orpheus Mosaic (Paphos, Cyprus) project files and training program records

Finding aid prepared by Katie Duvall


Descriptive Summary

Title: Orpheus Mosaic (Paphos, Cyprus) project files and training program records
Date (inclusive): 1986-1993, undated
Number: IA40023
Creator/Collector: Getty Conservation Institute
Physical Description: 1.8 linear feet (4 boxes)
Repository:
The Getty Research Institute
Institutional Records and Archives
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, California, 90049-1688
(310) 440-7390
archives@getty.edu
Abstract: Dating from 1986-1993, materials comprise project files relating to the conservation of the third-century Orpheus Mosaic in Paphos, Cyprus by the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI). Also included are records detailing the organization and implementation of training programs (focused on the conservation of local excavated sites and excavated archeological material) that were implemented by the GCI on site in Paphos.
Request Materials: Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the catalog record at library catalog record  for this collection and click "Request an Item." Click here for general library access policy . See the Administrative Information section of this finding aid for access restrictions specific to the records described below. Please note, some of the records may be stored off site; advanced notice is required for access to these materials.
Language: Collection material is in English

Administrative History

The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), a program of the J. Paul Getty Trust, was initially planned in 1982 and began full operation in 1985. Since its inception, the GCI has engaged in a program of scientific research, educational activities, documentation, and the dissemination of information through publications, conferences, lectures, workshops, and public programs that include research opportunities for professionals. In addition, the Institute has conducted international field projects in Asia, Africa, North and South America, and Europe. The GCI's endeavors are designed to serve the needs of the conservation profession by undertaking work that examines broad practical or theoretical questions of significance to the conservation field. The Institute develops and refines tools for conservation and shares its expertise with institutions and organizations worldwide so that its efforts have the greatest possible benefit to the practice of conservation.
In 1988, as part of its long-term interest in the preservation of mosaics in situ, the Getty Conservation Institute, working with the Cyprus Department of Antiquities, undertook the conservation of the Orpheus Mosaic, one of several mosaics located in the archaeological zone at Paphos. The mosaic is part of the remains of a Roman villa that dates back to the late second or early third century.
The project involved detaching the mosaic using a rolling technique (the mosaic was in need of a new support), cleaning the back of the mosaic, applying a new mortar bed, and reinstalling the mosaic at its original site. Other aspects of the project included formal training in mosaics conservation, environmental monitoring, analyzing the mosaic's tesserae, and constructing a hexashelter to protect the mosaic.
In addition, beginning in 1987, the GCI developed courses and workshops intended to increase awareness of the need to apply basic conservation principles in the care of archaeological materials. From 1991-1993, as part of this initiative, the GCI offered several courses on the field conservation of excavated objects and buildings, in conjunction with the mosaics project in Paphos, Cyprus.

Related Materials

The Conservation of the Orpheus Mosaic at Paphos, Cyprus, Getty Research Institute, 1991 (http://www.getty.edu/conservation/publications_resources/pdf_publications/orpheus_mosaic.html)

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

With the exception of materials that have been marked restricted or confidential, the records described in accession 2011.IA.63 are available for use by qualified researchers. Please note: selected restricted materials must be removed from boxes prior to access by researcher.
The following types of records are permanently closed: records containing personal information, records that compromise security or operations, legal communications, legal work product, and records related to donors. The J. Paul Getty Trust reserves the right to restrict access to any records held by the Institutional Archives.

Publication Rights

Contact Library Rights and Reproductions  at the Getty Research Institute for copyright information and permission to publish.

Preferred Citation

[Cite the item and series (as appropriate)], Orpheus Mosaic (Paphos, Cyprus) project files and training program records, 1986-1993, undated, Getty Conservation Institute. The Getty Research Institute (IA40023).

Immediate Source of Acquisition Note

The materials in this collection originated in accession 2011.IA.63.

Processing Information note

This collection was processed by Katie Duvall in 2013.

Scope and Content of Collection

Dating from 1986-1993, materials comprise project files relating to the conservation of the third-century Orpheus Mosaic in Paphos, Cyprus by the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI). Also included are records detailing the organization and implementation of training programs (focused on the conservation of excavated sites and excavated archeological material) that were implemented by the GCI on site in Paphos.
Project files (1988-1991) from the Orpheus Mosaic conservation project in Paphos, Cyprus consist of raw environmental data, including hygrothermograph readings and log books recording temperature and relative humidity from areas surrounding the mosaic. Also included are some budget and equipment files. Publication files include memos and manuscript copy from contributors for the publication The Conservation of the Orpheus Mosaic at Paphos, Cyprus (Getty Conservation Institute, 1991).
Training Program materials document the organization and implementation of training programs led by the Getty Conservation Institute on site in Paphos, Cyprus from 1991-1993. The training programs focused on the conservation of excavated sites and excavated archeological materials. The records also contain limited materials about GCI training programs in general from 1986-1990.

Arrangement note

This collection has been arranged in two series:
Series I: Project files, 1988-1991;
Series II: Training programs, 1986-1993, undated.

Indexing Terms

Subjects - Topics

Excavations (Archaeology)--Cyprus
Mosaics, Roman--Conservation and restoration--Field work--Cyprus--Paphos
Orpheus mosaic (Paphos, Cyprus)

Subjects - Places

Paphos (Cyprus)--Antiquities, Roman

Genres and Forms of Material

Field notes
Project files

Contributors

Kypriakon Mouseion (Cyprus)


 

Series I. Project files, 1988-1991

Physical Description: 1.0 linear foot (2 boxes)

Scope and Content Note

Materials comprise project files (1988-1991) generated by the Getty Conservation Institute's conservation of the third-century Orpheus Mosaic in Paphos, Cyprus. Files consist of raw environmental data, including hygrothermograph readings and logbooks recording temperature and relative humidity from areas surrounding the mosaic. Also included are some budget and equipment files. Publication files include memos and manuscript copy from contributors for the publication The Conservation of the Orpheus Mosaic at Paphos, Cyprus (Getty Conservation Institute, 1991).

Arrangement note

Files have been maintained in their original order.
 

Environmental data:

Box 2011.IA.63-01

Hygrothermograph data tapes, 1988-1990

Scope and Content Note

Materials comprise 36 rolls of data tapes from hygrothermograph monitoring of relative humidity (RH) and temperature. Locations noted on the tapes include House of Aion, House of Hercules, House of Achilles, and The Seas. The Hercules mosaic resides in the House of Orpheus and the other houses are located near the House of Orpheus within Paphos.
Box 2011.IA.63-02

Log books, 1989-1990

Box 2011.IA.63-02

1990

Box 2011.IA.63-02

"Pilot Project on Mosaics Conservation" report, 1989

Scope and Content Note

Report in Italian. Includes color slides.
Box 2011.IA.63-02

Budget, 1988-1989

Box 2011.IA.63-02

Materials and equipment, 1989

 

Publication:

 

Contributors:

Box 2011.IA.63-02

Kosinka, J., 1989-1991

Box 2011.IA.63-02

Agnew, N. and Coffman, R.: Shelter, 1990-1991

Box 2011.IA.63-02

Agnew, N. and Lin, P.M.: Environmental monitoring, 1989-1990

Box 2011.IA.63-02

Capriotti, G. and D'Alessandro, L., 1989-1990

Box 2011.IA.63-02

Doehne, E., circa 1989-1990

Box 2011.IA.63-02

Michaelides, D., 1989-1991

Box 2011.IA.63-02

Mora, P., 1989-1991

Box 2011.IA.63-02

Pastorello, P. and Schmid, W., 1989

Box 2011.IA.63-02

Manuscripts, 1990

Box 2011.IA.63-02

Memos and notes, 1989-1991

Box 2011.IA.63-02

Reports, 1988-1989

 

Series II. Training programs, 1986-1993, undated

Physical Description: 0.8 linear feet (2 boxes)

Scope and Content Note

Materials primarily comprise files detailing the organization and implementation of training programs by the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) on-site in Paphos, Cyprus from 1991-1993. The training programs focused on the conservation of local excavated sites and excavated archeological materials. The records also contain limited materials about GCI training programs in general from 1986-1990.

Arrangement note

Files have been maintained in their original order and are roughly divided by individual training program.
Box 2011.IA.63-02

Training program, activities, 1986-1990

Box 2011.IA.63-02

"Pilot Project on the Conservation of Mosaics," training program booklet, September 5-October 14, 1988

 

"On-site Conservation of Excavated Archeological Materials":

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Participant correspondence (course program, applications), 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Local information, undated

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Correspondence with staff, 1991-1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Correspondence with A. Georgiades (including feedback on course), 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Correspondence with Department of Antiquities [Cyprus], 1991-1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Correspondence with D. Michaelides, 1991-1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Correspondence with Romany Helmy, 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Course background (including site visit, objectives), 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Correspondence with Claire Dean [course instructor], 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Course reading material, 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Budget, 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Correspondence with Sharen Taylor Papadopoullou, 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Supplies, 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Correspondence regarding application, 1991

Box 2011.IA.63-03

FY 92 budget, 1991

Scope and Content Note

RESTRICTED. Includes consultant fees.
Box 2011.IA.63-03

Course certificate, 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Course evaluation, 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Course documents [description and application], 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Course program, 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Course report, 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Course materials binder (including readings), 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-03

Teaching material, 1992

 

Excavating sites, Paphos:

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Correspondence with staff, 1991-1992

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Supplies, 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Course background, 1991-1992

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Local information, 1990

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Budget, 1992

 

"The Conservation of Excavated Sites: New Approaches and Techniques":

Box 2011.IA.63-04

In-house memos, 1992-1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Organization, 1992-1993

Scope and Content Note

RESTRICTED. Includes budget with honoraria/fees listed.
Box 2011.IA.63-04

John Stewart correspondence, 1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Applicant correspondence, 1991-1992

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Evaluations, 1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Guest lecturers correspondence, 1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Supplies, 1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Department of Antiquities correspondence (Cyprus), 1992-1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Miscellaneous correspondence, 1991-1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Rose Theater case study, undated

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Participant correspondence: A-C, 1992-1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Mailing list, 1992

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Annotated bibliographies, 1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Pre-course reading, 1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Applications, 1992-1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Participant correspondence: D-Z, 1992-1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Participant condition surveys (field exercise), 1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Participant presentations, 1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Lecture overhead acetates, 1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Coordinator's materials, 1993

Box 2011.IA.63-04

Theseus mosaic condition report, 1993