First sub-regional underwater archaeological training in South-East Asia

UNESCO will organize a two-week introductory course on the conservation and restoration of underwater archaeological finds for South-East Asian heritage professionals. The training will and take place from 19-29 June 2023 in Thailand.

Around thirty participants will gather from ASEAN countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam) to gain comprehensive knowledge and practical skills on the conservation and restoration principles of underwater cultural heritage. The trainees will learn to handle materials commonly found in underwater archaeological sites such as ceramics, glass, metals, wood, and other organic substances.

The ground-breaking training brings together UNESCO, SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SEAMEO SPAFA), and the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture of Thailand as partners, and benefits from the leading expertise of the International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar, Croatia. It exemplifies the building momentum and a shared vision to advance the conservation and restoration of valuable artefacts found underwater in South-East Asia.

The sub-regional capacity building contributes to the implementation of UNESCO 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, an international legal framework for States Parties to better identify, research, protect, and preserve their underwater heritage. To date, the Convention has been ratified by 72 States Parties, including one country from South East Asia (Cambodia). The workshop contributes to raising awareness about the Convention, towards further ratification in the sub-region.

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