It has been a long day. My students took their final written and practical tests today. They did very well and on the whole are very pleased with themselves. Do you know the difference between the angles of the Schreger lines in the ivory of elephant versus mammoth? They do, and without hesitation. Some of the students came bearing gifts and told me they would miss me. I am very touched. We also had a discussion today about Iraqi artifacts in museums in other countries. It is a sensitive subject! Although some feel that the artifacts should be returned, others like the idea that people in other countries see their cultural heritage, as long as the objects are labeled Iraqi.
Well, it is time to pack up my traveling bag of strange and wonderful samples and curiosities. Once again I am overwhelmed by the dedication of the students and their drive to do well under difficult circumstances. The success of this endeavor is due to the program directors who work with the students every day, attend to the needs of the trainers, like me, while they are far from home, and who maintain good humor as they navigate the seemingly endless complications of living in this uncertain part of the world. I am full of admiration.
Signing off once again from Erbil, Iraq,
Terry
Our chief conservator, Terry Drayman-Weisser, has returned to Iraq. She visited there in May, and wrote as a guest blogger here on Culture Comment. She is the director of conservation and technical research, at the Walters Art Museum, and travels to Iraq to assist with conservation efforts there. This is the final post from her return trip.
Gary Vikan, director of the Walters Art Museum since 1994, has been with the Baltimore institution for more than 20 years. A native of Minnesota, Gary received his B.A. from Carleton College in 1967 and his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1976 before working as Senior Associate for Byzantine Art Studies at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C.