The “19th ICOM-CC (” was held online from May 17th to 20th. Originally, the conference was scheduled to be hosted in September 2020 but was postponed and held online due to the spread of COVID-19. A total of six presentations made by GEM-CC experts were adopted, and four of them included the project’s outcome.
Since the GEM-JC project received the “Yomiuri International Cooperation Award” in November 2020, Dr. Hussein Kamal, GEM-JC project Manager, commented that the project has decided to use the reward to support the GEM-CC members by funding their research publications and conference participation fees. In the ICOM-CC Beijing conference, 10 members have participated at the expense of the project budget and 4 members by the Yomiuri reward. Furthermore, 5 members were supported by funding of the ICOM-CC/ Getty International Program.
We will continue to make full use of Yomiuri’s reward to promote and activate the project for human resource development in the field of cultural heritage conservation.
Below are the reports of the five participants who attended the conference.
Hasnaa Abdrabbo Mohamed
Organic Lab, Grand Egyptian Museum Conservation Center
Title of presentation:
Tutankhamun’s Gauntlet: Past and Present
Participating in conferences is really a very productive and essential activity in our field of conservation and museums in general, know different cultures and nationalities with a variety of backgrounds and experience is a great opportunity achieved by attending such a conference like ICOM-CC Beijing 2021. The conference added a lot to my knowledge and experience in my work at GEM-CC, I have found a lot of papers and posters related to my work filed in the conservation of organic materials, which will affect my practical work positively. Furthermore, I have published a paper before but it is my first time publishing a poster at a conference so it added a new experience to me on the scientific level, as the GEM-CC plays an important role as a research center so this will greatly benefit me in the future of my career at GEM-CC.
Hanan Mostafa Abd El Aziz
Wood Lab, Grand Egyptian Museum Conservation Center
Title of presentation:
Structural analysis of deterioration in King Tutankhamun’s funerary
chariots and couches using wood science and X-ray radiography
The conference was a great opportunity to learn about different ancient civilizations especially East Asia which is rich in heritage and different from the Egyptian ancient civilization. I was impressed by the technical visits in china which enrich my acknowledgment and keep me up with modern technologies and different schools in preserving and conserving cultural heritage.
Islam Abd Elmaksoud Shaheen
Organic Lab, Grand Egyptian Museum Conservation Center
Title of presentation:
Conservation between scientific methodology and laboratory application: An integrated approach to past and present challenges
The conference raises the awareness of the importance of communication and connection during the time of crisis and pandemic like this time due to the fact of COVID-19. ICOM is one of the most important conferences that includes all topics of the study of archaeological materials, and this version of the conference included much valuable research that adopts new ideas for study. The research is related to my field of work in the GEM, and some important ideas were put forward that can be applied in restoration and documentation. It is also important to see what is new in research to try to add in my upcoming research in the GEM, which I seek to work on what is innovative.
Mohamed Moustafa Mohamed Hussein
Wood Lab, Grand Egyptian Museum Conservation Center
Title of presentation:
Explanation of deterioration aspects, based on wood science and X-ray radiography, for the Chariots and Couches of King Tutankhamun
Firstly, let me express my great appreciation and thanks to (JICA) to give me the chance to attend the 19th ICOM-CC Triennial Conference. It was truly a great opportunity, both personally, and professionally, especially that it’s my first time to participate in this very important conference.
This conference is an ideal platform for sharing the work experience from several places all over the world, because of its international nature, which gathers researchers, conservation scientists, technologists, and preventive conservation specialists. Also, it provides an opportunity to enhance a constructive dialogue and collaboration on themes relevant to conservation science and to present the latest research results in all areas of conservation. It was a very unique chance to see all the participants share their work, knowledge, and their ethics in the conservation and preservation of all the unique artifacts, particularly those related to my work as a conservator specialized in wooden artifacts. It provided me with a valuable learning experience and I feel like I have an additional responsibility to encourage my colleagues to be more engaged in the next edition of this important conference.
Mohamed Yosri Ramadan
Organic Lab, Grand Egyptian Museum Conservation Center
Title of presentation:
Technical analysis and conservation of Tutankhamun’s headdress (khat)
The conference will certainly be useful for my work in GEM CC in general and me in particular cause I got some experiences by reading a lot of distinguished research and paper update my skills with the newest techniques in our field and I will work as hard as I can to apply and sharing those experience with my colleagues in my work.