2011 - Nov : AAA visit to the Archaeological Dep. of the University of the Algarve, Faro
A group of AAA members went to the archaeological department at the University of the Algarve where we were met by Prof. João Pedro Bernardes, Maria João Valente and Rita who took us to their library and archive, and conservation laboratories.
The small library contains a reference collection of archaeological reports from different institutions in Europe and copies of the students’ academic work. There were also examples of restored ceramics used as reference material by the students.
In one of the conservation laboratories we were able to see the painted wall fresco of a young man found at Boca do Rio and also, under a microscope, the remains of fish products that had been found in an amphora during this year’s excavations. It was also explained how the ceramics are restored using Plaster of Paris which is then polished and painted to match the original pieces.
In the second lab we saw two students who were working on their studies and where finds are processed and stored. We have made valuable contacts at the University and we hope to continue this liaison in the future. Our visit was followed by lunch on the Campus and we thank João Pedro, Maria João and Rita for making us welcome and giving such an interesting tour.
