5 February

• Extinct: Andaman tribe’s extermination complete as last member dies
  The last member of a unique tribe has died on India’s Andaman Islands. Boa Sr, who died last week aged around 85, was the last speaker of ‘Bo’, one of the ten Great Andamanese languages. The Bo are thought to have lived in the Andaman Islands for as much as 65,000 years, making them the descendants of one of the oldest human cultures on Earth.
  More information: http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/5509

• Vanishing Voices of the Great Andamanese
  Vanishing Voices of the Great Andamanese is a Major Documentation Project directed by Prof. Anvita Abbi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. It is funded and supported by the SOAS, UK under the ELDP program. Readers may view the ongoing research under this project as well as on other tribes of the Andaman in the following pages. It is generally believed that all Andamanese languages might be the last representative of those languages whose history goes back to pre-Neolithic times in Southeast Asia and possibly the first settlement of the region by modern humans. These isolated Andamanese languages that are spoken by the descendents of the aboriginal population of Southeast Asia are, at present, ‘very critical’ stage...
  More information: http://www.andamanese.net/

3 February

• (in Italian) Master e Corso. ROMA TRE (Italia)
  • Master Architettura Storia Progetto
    Il Master Architettura | Storia | Progetto raccoglie ed offre i frutti di una elaborazione culturale che condensa un assortimento di ricerche e di esperienze diverse - ma tutte di grande rilevanza scientifica e professionale -, attinenti all’Architettura, intesa nel suo fondamentale valore antropologico culturale e nei suoi ambiti multidisciplinari critici e operativi...
    More information: http://master-asp-intro.blogspot.com/
  • Corso di Perfezionamento in Storia della Progettazione Architettonica
    Con una approfondita analisi critica del lavoro progettuale (individuale e collettivo) che ha contribuito, nelle varie epoche, alla trasformazione dell'ambiente della vita umana, il Corso intende porre al centro della sperimentazione didattica il rapporto tra storia e progetto...
    More information: http://cdp-spa-intro.blogspot.com/

   

• (in Italian) Archeomatica - Tecnologie e Beni Culturali
  Il futuro della conservazione e valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale è sempre più legato alla diffusione e all’utilizzo delle nuove tecnologie applicate ai beni culturali. Un linguaggio, questo, composto da un’infinita gamma di sperimentazioni che sviluppano metodologie specifiche, i cui risultati sono spesso conosciuti solamente da una ristretta cerchia di “addetti ai lavori”. Archeomatica è una nuova rivista che ha come obiettivo quello di rivolgersi ad un profilo di lettori molto vario, spaziando da tecnici esecutivi di management, organizzazioni pubbliche e private, ma anche operatori che interagiscono con il settore dei beni culturali a diversi livelli. Il progetto editoriale nasce come approfondimento speciale sulle tecnologie geomantiche orientate ai beni culturali della rivista GEOmedia, usciti nel 2006 e 2007 in concomitanza con il Salone del Restauro di Ferrara sotto il nome di “Speciale Archeomatica”.
  More information: http://www.tafter.it/2010/02/02/archeomatica/

1 February

• Oral History Association of South Africa (OHASA)
  In October 2004, a steering committee consisting of eight people, Vuyani Booi, Philippe Denis, Sean Field, Nomvula Mbangela, Sekgothe Mokgoatsana, Mandy Gilder, Khanyi Ngcobo and Patricia Opondo, was elected to prepare the way for the establishment of an Oral History Association in South Africa. Countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Argentina and Japan already have such a body. Oral history exists as a separate academic discipline since the late 1940s. It is practised all over the world as is shown by the number of people attending the conferences organised by the International Oral History Association (IOHA) every two years. South Africa had the privilege to host one of these conferences in 2002 at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg. A number of South African scholars attended the following conference in Rome, Italy in 2004 and others are due to attend the one in Sydney, Australia in 2006. Our colleagues all over the world are looking forward to the creation of an oral history association in our country.
  More information: http://www.ohasa.org.za/

• Inherit Newsletter January 2010 (Heritage Victoria and Heritage Council Victoria)
  Heritage Victoria is the Victorian State Government’s principal cultural (non-Indigenous) heritage agency. Heritage Victoria identifies, protects and interprets Victoria's most significant cultural heritage resources. It advises private owners, local and State government, industry and the general community on heritage matters. Heritage Victoria's aim is to make heritage identification, protection and management accessible and easily understood.Heritage Council Victoria provides the highest level of legal protection for cultural heritage places and objects in Victoria. As an independent statutory authority, Heritage Council Victoria is the State's main decision-making body on cultural (non-Indigenous) heritage issues. Heritage Council Victoria receives professional advice and administrative support from Heritage Victoria.
  More information: http://heritage.vic.gov.au/admin/file/content2/c7/Inherit_Jan_10.pdf

29 January

• Haiti Heritage Recovery Update – a message from ICOMOS International
  Message to Members of ICOMOS and to the international heritage community
  ICOMOS would like to thank the hundreds of individual members, and its national and International Scientific Committees for the overwhelming response to our call to participate in a global action of solidarity to assess, rescue and recover the cultural heritage of Haiti in the aftermath of the terrible earthquake that devastated the country. Your response is proof of the vast professional resources of the ICOMOS network and of our unique strength as the leading heritage organization in the world. ICOMOS is also very grateful to the response by non-members and by the many institutions that have agreed and are still agreeing to be included in the development of a coordinated joint plan of assistance to be implemented as soon as the humanitarian relief operations are concluded, and our Haitian colleagues indicate that they are ready to receive us.
  More information: http://www.icomos.org/

28 January

• Save the Poètes area (Pierrefitte, France)
  A provisional stop of the buldozers in Pierrefitte (France) was achieved in court on 30 November 2009, thanks to DOCOMOMO France. 440 social housings of the Poètes area, built in the 1980s by the architects Jeronimo Padron-Lopez and the Euvremer Brothers may be saved, for “their architectural value and their technical interest that make the area an outstanding testimony of built heritage”. It is a première in France in the field of recognition of twentieth century social housings. Please give us your support by signing the above petition! We need 2,000 signatures in 10 days to win the trial!
  More information: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/quartier_des_poetes/

• Heritage Evening of Docomomo France
  The school Saint-Merri; the church Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, in Nantes ; the supermarket of Claude Parent in Sens ; the Luxor in Paris ; the National Marine buildings ; the Lods of the Grand' Mare; the decaying wall of Garry Faïf in Romainville; the Volcanoe in Le Havre, the Neighbourhood of the Poets in Pierrefitte; the School Victor Schoelcher in Fort of France; The bus station of Clermont-Ferrand; The Tri postcard of Nancy; The SERNAM Gallery in París
  More information in French: http://www2.archi.fr/DOCOMOMO-FR/veille-patrimoniale.htm

27 January

• (in Italian) L’arte rubata (Il commercio illecito di beni culturali)
  C’è un mercato che vale solo in Italia 165 milioni di euro. E’ il traffico di opere d’arte rubate o contraffatte, che svela in molti casi intrecci pericolosi con il traffico di droga, di armi e di persone. Seguendo rotte internazionali, le opere d’arte sottratte illecitamente a privati cittadini, musei, chiese, scavi archeologici, diventano un potente mezzo di scambio nelle mani della criminalità organizzata che le acquista e le rivende con finalità di riciclaggio e a volte di ricatto, per finanziare reati di ben altra natura.
  Il convegno internazionale “Le nuove prospettive nella lotta al commercio illegale di opere d’arte nello scenario internazionale”, tenutosi in occasione del Forum mondiale Unesco, ha messo in evidenza la necessità dell’ampliamento e dell’intensificazione dei controlli a livello internazionale e il rilevante ruolo giocato da internet nel favorire la vendita di falsi e di oggetti rubati attraverso le aste on line.
  More information: http://www.tafter.it/2010/01/20/l%E2%80%99arte-rubata/

• Beringia Days Conference
  The NPS’s Shared Beringian Heritage Program organized the annual Beringia Days Conference in Anadyr, Russia in late 2009. The conference typically features reports on topics such as Traditions and Modern Times, Natural Heritage, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Development of Dog Breeding – with 38 reports being given by attendees - and then features multicultural folk performances by Chukchi and Eskimo dancing and singing groups.
  More information: http://www.nps.gov/akso/beringia/BeringiaDays.htm

• Sasaki and Collins Designed Landscape Destroyed (USA)
  In advance of the 2016 Olympic Committee’s final announcement for a host city, the City of Chicago has moved forward with plans to demolish the Michael Reese Hospital Campus on Chicago’s South Side. The community parks areas of the campus have been clear cut, with the exception of only a few trees, and all ground plantings, including shrubs, flowers, and ground cover, has been scraped from the site.
  More information: http://72.27.230.88/node/2782

• The Italian Garden at Queset (USA)
  Abandoned for generations, this ruined garden is a silent testament to Edwardian era bon vivants and the Golden Age of American gardens.
  The Italian Garden at Queset is much like a family heirloom found in the attic—magnificent but a bit tarnished. Abandoned for generations, this ruined garden is a silent testament to Edwardarian era bon vivants and a golden age in American gardening. Though many historic designed landscapes of this era have been lost, this classically inspired garden has survived albeit largely forgotten under a choking tangle of vines and brambles. Preservation efforts are underway and it is now being restored, a Renaissance revival for a Renaissance garden.
  More information: http://72.27.230.88/landslides/italian-garden-queset

26 January

• Symposium and exhibition: Come Cambia l'Idea della Montagne. Edolo, Italy
  Il 18 dicembre 2009, presso l’Università della Montagna Corso di Laurea in Valorizzazione e Tutela dell’Ambiente e del Territorio Montano, si è tenuto il convegno “Come cambia l’idea della Montagna”. Al convegno hanno partecipato Vittorio Marniga Sindaco del Comune di Edolo, Elena Broggi Vice Presidente della Comunità Montana di Valle Camonica, Massimo Chiesa Vice Presidente B.I.M. Valle Camonica e Gian Maria Rizzi della Camera di Commercio Industria Artigianato Agricoltura di Brescia. Dopo l’introduzione ai lavori di Franco Sangiorgi, Presidente del Corso di laurea in Valorizzazione e Tutela dell’Ambiente e del Territorio Montano, si è svolta la I sessione dal titolo “I monti dell’Italia tra immagini di ieri e prospettive di oggi” durante la quale sono intervenuti Francesco Cardarelli dell’Ente Italiano della Montagna e Margherita Martelli dell’Archivio Centrale dello Stato.
  More information: http://www.valmont.unimi.it/

• Map guide for the Antigonea Archaeological Park in the southern part of Albania
  Funded by the Spanish MDG Achievement Fund, the UNESCO-UNDP Joint Programme Culture and Heritage for Social and Economic Development (CHSED) focuses in particular on such transformative activities as : the conversion of the National History Museum into a modern cultural institution; protection of and access to 2 of the country’s most important archaeological parks, Apollonia and Antigonea; strengthening the capacities of state employees and other cultural professionals to manage, preserve and present Albania’s cultural heritage; demonstrating the viability of new economic opportunities through cultural tourism in Gjirokastra and Berat; strengthening of national policies to safeguard Albania’s cultural heritage; and developing new national capacities to promote a more accurate image of Albania’s culture abroad.
  More information: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=47249&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

25 January

• (in Italian) Corso di Documentarista terrestre e subacqueo
  Parte a Febbraio 2010 il corso per Documentarista, il primo corso professionale che abbraccia le tecniche della video ripresa e le tecniche subacquee, rendendolo un trampolino di lancio per coloro che vogliono fare della passione un lavoro a tutti gli effetti. Il corso che si svilupperà in 80 ore vedrà impegnati gli allievi nell’ utilizzo di attrezzature altamente professionali quali granfacciale, diverse custodie video subacquee come Amphibico, Leone e Nimar, apparecchiature Sony dv, dvcam, hd, telefoni subacquei, microfoni e radiomicrofoni, una sala regia e registrazione audio, sala prove, tutto per dare una completa preparazione, nonché la prima ad affermarsi nel territorio italiano. Uno degli obiettivi principali del corso è dare ai candidati la possibilità, al termine del corso stesso, di tuffarsi direttamente nel mondo del lavoro sfruttando a pieno le tecniche imparate. Per gli allievi più meritevoli la scuola si occuperà di mettere in contatto con i centri subacquei sparsi nel mondo. La data di scadenza potrebbe subire variazioni. Contattare i riferimenti presenti sotto per aggiornamenti.
  More information: http://www.progettomare.net/

20 January

• Landscape architecture workshop in Japan
  The discipline of Landscape Architecture is recently developing towards becoming more and more involved in addressing global challenges of urbanization, of general well-being in the urban and peri-urban environment. Only through a thorough collaboration between Urban Designers, Architects and Landscape Architects can these issues be addressed appropriately.
  More information: http://www.landscape-me.com/show-articles.php?id=7

• Vertical Garden
  An overdeveloped megalopolis such as Istanbul severely suffers from lack of parks. The more the city expands the more green areas we need in order to sustain a quality urban life. It is easy to find these areas if you are working in suburbia, but when it comes to the city center, the crowding of buildings makes it more difficult for a landscape architect to find the living space to operate. Landscape itself is obstructed by concrete walls that block our view. The horizontal space is limited and must be dedicated to living and doing business; gardens are pricey and rare.
  More information: http://www.landscape-me.com/show-articles.php?id=4

18 January

• Shipworm Threatens Archaeological Treasures
  The dreaded shipworm is moving into the Baltic Sea, threatening artefacts of the area's cultural heritage. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, suspect that the unfortunate spread is due to climate change, and are currently involved in an EU project to determine which archaeological remains are at risk. The shipworm is capable of completely destroying large maritime archaeological finds in only 10 years, and while it has avoided the Baltic Sea in the past, since it does not do well in low salinity water, it can now be spotted along both the Danish and German Baltic Sea coasts.
  More information: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100113105737.htm

• Missing 500-Years of Loggias, Porticos Described
  Using texts and images, a University of Arkansas researcher has for the first time reconstructed the time when the use of porticos -- roof-covered structures supported by columns -- gave way to loggias, or recessed porticos. In an article in the Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, architecture professor Kim Sexton accounts for the time between the 7th and 12th centuries when there are no surviving porticos. In European history, loggias represented more than just interesting architectural features. They also served important cultural functions.
  More information: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100112155230.htm

• Conservators uncover 16th century writing in Salisbury Cathedral
  Conservators at Salisbury Cathedral have uncovered a section of beautifully written 16th century gothic text which has been hidden for 350 years behind the site's Henry Hyde Monument. The monument, which consists of 44 pieces of marble alabaster and Chilmark Stone, was recently removed to be repaired and cleaned. Conservators were amazed with what they found when they removed the inscription table at the centre of the monument.
  More information: http://www.culture24.org.uk/history+%26+heritage/historic+buildings/art74968

15 January

• Awarding of the Heritage Foundation plaques at the Swearing-In General Council
  The Heritage Foundation and the Swearing-In General Council are jointly collaborating in actions aimed at the development of private and public heritage. Next 26th January, a ceremony will be organized to award plaques and diplomas from the Heritage Foundation in the General Council, what will help to promote the restoration of local heritage.
  • Since 2002, the Heritage Foundation has been benefitting from the financial contest of the l Swearing-In General Council for the financing of the fund to which private owners with fiscal benefit agreed.
  • Since 2006, the Foundation and the General Council have been collaborating together for the co-funding of the operation of restoration of non municipal protected Rural Heritage.

  More information in French: http://www.fondation-patrimoine.net/fr/delegations-actualite.php4?id=552

• Official presentation of the Saint Marteen National Heritage Foundation
  Tuesday 22nd December 2009, the Hope State Association and the Heritage Foundation, in collaboration with the Saint Marteen CCI, have presented the Heritage Foundation, their partners and projects for Saint Marteen. The evening began with a speech by the president of the community, Mr. Frantz Gumbs, who highlighted the importance of heritage. After him, the regional Delegate, Mr. M. Pascal Gombauld, made a presentation of the Heritage Foundation and of its means of action. Then, Mr. Christophe Henocq, from Hope State explained the different projects that will be carried out in collaboration with the Heritage Foundation. The event concluded with a snack. This event brought the opportunity of meeting with the team from Hope State which is a strong Heritage Foundation collaborator.
  More information in French: http://www.fondation-patrimoine.net/fr/delegations-actualite.php4?id=554

• South East Europe (SEE) Regional Collaboration for the nomination of medieval Tombstones "Stecak's" for their inscription
  On 2 November 2009, a joint letter of intention was signed by the Ministers of Civil Affairs of BiH, the Minister of Culture of Serbia, the Minister of Culture of Croatia, and the Minister of Culture, Sports and Media of Montenegro, in Sarajevo. The Ministers of Culture of Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro have underlined the importance of the regional cooperation and have expressed their readiness to actively participate in its realization. This letter anticipates that each State will appoint its own representative to the administrative body. The joint team will define an activities plan outlining obligations, deadlines and necessary funding. The project will be implemented in accordance with UN ESCO procedures and the Venice Office will provide support.
  More information: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=47086&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

• ICOMOS Cultural Heritage: Conservation, Innovation, Development
  In the framework of the celebrations for the 35th anniversary of the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the Italian Committee held an international conference entitled, “Cultural Heritage: Conservation, Innovation, Development” at Palazzo Zorzi in Venice, Italy on 21 November 2009. The conference supported by the Venice Office dealt with issues related to the enhancement of cultural heritage as a factor of dialogue and sustainable development. Experts shared experiences and future perspectives on the vulnerability of the heritage, heritage and values, the role of cultural patrimony in the promotion of dialogue and cultural diversity; conservation, management and promotion of UN ESCO World Heritage Sites and the future of the World Heritage List.
  More information: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=46706&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

• Website: TheArchaeologicalBox.com
  TheArchaeologicalBox.com is an international archaeology web referencing project created for, and by, the archaeological community. Our goal is to promote archaeology resources and awareness on the regional, national and international levels. Our site is built around a structured community core which offers up-to-date archaeology news, event listings, archaeology field school and archaeological site repertories, forums, blogs, profiles, an online archaeology store, ..., while facilitating interaction between members who share a common interest: archaeology!
  More information: http://www.thearchaeologicalbox.com/

13 January

• Inauguration of UNESCO Chair in Management of Historic Towns at the National College of Arts. Lahore, Pakistan
  The National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan has been honoured with the establishment of a UNESCO Chair in Heritage Management. The Chair is embedded in the National College of Arts’ existing graduate Center for Cultural Heritage Conservation & Management (CCHC&M). It will serve to enrich this program, to focus research and teaching aims, expand institutional and academic linkages and strengthen existing ties with the residents and communities of historic towns in Pakistan and the region...
  More information: http://universidadypatrimonio.net/doc/E20100113N0237.pdf

• Message from the ICOMOS President following the earthquake in Haiti
  The horrifying news about the earthquake in from Haiti gives all indications of major devastation and loss. Once the immediate human relief effort is over, I call on all ICOMOS to come together in solidarity to help in whatever way we can with the heritage recovery process. It is the right time now to identify individual ICOMOS members and groups of members who would be willing to form part of volunteer teams to be deployed to Haiti as needed when the time comes and the heritage needs are manifested by our Haitian colleagues. For that reason, I ask all National and International Committees to circulate this letter to their full membership. Anyone interested in considering being a volunteer should drop me a line and let me know who you are so that we may keep you informed about the opportunities that arise as we learn more about the situation. For those National Committees from countries with disaster recovery experience, we also ask that you urge your government and other national institutions to be generous with their assistance. For me personally, Haiti is a special place where I began my professional conservation life. It was at the Citadelle and later at the Palais de Sans-Souci in Cap Haitien that I had my very first projects as head of the OAS heritage assistance mission after graduation. I know the Haitians to be a good people, possessing great dignity and generosity while living amid extreme poverty. For this reason, I put my own name down as the first volunteer to assist in whatever way I can. Thanks to all, Gustavo Araoz. President of ICOMOS - gustavo.araoz@icomos.org
  More information: http://www.international.icomos.org/

Heritage practices in Egypt and the Sudan (in French). One of the CEDEJ (Cairo, MAEE/CNRS USR 3123) scientific journal series on Egypt and the Arab world, was released on the 21st of December in Cairo. It will be available soon on line at ema.revues.org.
http://leturcq.wordpress.com/

Biography for Arthur S. and Marie H. Berger
By Kurt Culbertson and Dianne del Cid
Arthur Schoene Berger and Marie Harbeck Berger were among the early practitioners of the modernist approach to landscape architecture pioneered by Thomas Church, Garrett Eckbo, and others.
http://72.27.230.88/pioneer/arthur-berger/biography-arthur-s-and-marie-h-berger

Research on cultural heritage in Europe, 1986-2006
This two-volume publication covers 20 years of research in the area of cultural heritage from 1986 to 2006. Volume I provides an overview while Volume II contains outlines of nearly 100 projects implemented between 2000 and 2008.
Vol.1: http://ec.europa.eu/research/environment/pdf/20years_cultural_heritage_vol1_en.pdf
Vol.2: http://ec.europa.eu/research/environment/pdf/20years_cultural_heritage_vol2_en.pdf