Capacity Building Programme for the Conservation Branch of the Petra Archaeological Park

Project start and end date: 2005 - 2006
Project Consultants: Conducted in partnership with the Department of Antiquities of Jordan (DOA) with consultants from Jordanian universities, the Jordanian private sector; and international specialists
Funding provided by: The World Monuments Fund/American Express Foundation
Project cost: JD 70,800 ($100,000)

As part of its goal to assist the Department of Antiquities (DOA) in enhancing site management of the Petra Archaeological Park (PAP), PNT conducted a training course to build capacity for the Conservation Branch of the PAP through training in site conservation.  25 Park staff were trained by a team of specialists in the field of conservation. The over-reaching aim of the training course will in the long term provide a basis for developing and establishing a conservation strategy for Petra and to ensure the long term sustainability of the site through improved site management.

The duration of the training programme was seven weeks. Modules included “Conservation Theory and Site Management,” “Survey and Documentation,” “Rapid Assessment of Monuments and Operation of the Archaeological Information System of Petra,” “Stone Conservation” (with special emphasis on the sandstone of Petra), and on-the-job training in survey, documentation and GIS.

There is an urgent need to develop a full-scale strategy and training plan for the conservation, restoration and preservation of the monuments in the Petra Archaeological Park. PNT seeks your help in funding this initiative. We will announce the launch of this campaign in our “help us to help Petra” page.